LSU quarterback [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] is heading into 2025 on a high note.
The Tigers’ QB closed out his first year as the starter with 304 yards and three touchdowns in a Texas Bowl win over Baylor. It was Nussmeier’s second-straight year leading LSU to a win in the bowl game after his first career start came in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin on New Year’s Day in 2024.
In December, Nussmeier announced his intention to return to LSU in 2025. Returning the QB was a top priority for LSU, especially after five-star recruit Bryce Underwood flipped to Michigan.
Now, LSU gets a veteran signal-caller returning to lead the offense. Nussmeier was inconsistent in 2024, but the highs were high.
Nussmeier dazzled with NFL-level throws in the upset win over Ole Miss. He helped lead LSU to a road win over a South Carolina team that contended for a playoff spot.
Nussmeier is good. Despite what some fans on social media said during the November struggles, he may be really good.
It’s why LSU worked so hard to keep him around. Not just this offseason, but in prior years when Nussmeier was backing up [autotag]Jayden Daniels.[/autotag]
Nussmeier will enter 2025 as one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Should he be the favorite to win the Heisman trophy?
2025 has a chance to be a good year for quarterbacks. Along with Nussmeier, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Drew Allar’s Penn State return. Arch Manning is slated to take over for Texas.
Florida’s DJ Lagway looks like a budding star and Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava should progress. Oklahoma has high expectations for transfer John Mateer and Kevin Jennings will be back at SMU.
Outside of the quarterback position, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is a contender, too.
That’s a tough group to contend with, but Nussmeier has the talent and situation to make his campaign.
Manning is talented, but he will be in his first year as a starter. Lagway has the potential to be a superstar, but it’s unclear if he’ll have the pieces in Gainesville. The same could be said for Mateer and Jennings.
Klubnik and Allar are strong contenders, but Nussmeier will get a chance to beat Klubnik head-to-head to open the year.
Right now, I think Nussmeier has to be considered one of the two or three best contenders to win the award.
I’m doing some projecting here, but if Nussmeier can play like he did in the final three games of 2024, he’ll be the best quarterback in the country.
LSU’s receiving corps are reloaded with the return of Aaron Anderson and the transfer additions of Barion Brown and Nic Anderson. [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] gives LSU an explosive rushing threat in the backfield.
With another offseason as the starter, Nussmeier will look to join [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] as LSU quarterbacks with monster fifth-years.