Garrett Nussmeier should have chip on his shoulder after latest comments from the LSU coaching staff that recruited him
On a recent podcast with Big Cat and PFT Commenter, former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron fired quite the stray towards Tigers’ quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.“I had an opportunity to go to Texas and speak at their clinic. And I watched practice. Now, we knew Arch Manning as a young kid from Louisiana. He liked Joe […]
On a recent podcast with Big Cat and PFT Commenter, former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron fired quite the stray towards Tigers’ quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
“I had an opportunity to go to Texas and speak at their clinic. And I watched practice. Now, we knew Arch Manning as a young kid from Louisiana. He liked Joe Brady. We watched him (as a recruit). But I watched his practice (at Texas). And I’ll say this conservatively — and we recruited (current LSU starting QB) Garrett (Nussmeier). Garrett’s a great player. But Arch is as close to — or maybe as good as — Joe as I’ve seen. And I’ve never said that about anybody.”
Now, I don’t necessarily think Orgeron was taking an exact shot at Nussmeier, but to compare him to a guy like Arch Manning who has played sparingly is a bit much. Some view the LSU quarterback as one of not the best prospect at the position for this year’s draft class. And he’s an early favorite for the Heisman Trophy.
Let’s take a look at why Orgeron’s comments are a tad outlandish given Nussmeier’s track record thus far.
Garrett Nussmeier hit a bit of a snag in fall camp.
But, he is still on pace to lead LSU into 2025 with CFP aspirations. It was reported two weeks ago he suffered an injury in practice which, at the time, was ruled insignificant. But, it did reveal some chronic tendinitis in his knee.
It’s not going to force him to miss time, but it’s certainly something which could affect him as the season goes on.
Nevertheless, in 2024 Nussmeier was a dude. He threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing 64 percent of his passes. The lone issue with Nussmeier’s game and what concerns NFL general managers is his turnover-worthy plays. He finished with 12 interceptions last year. Can he get it amended?
NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah liked how Garrett Nussmeier bounced back in 2024.
He also likes his sticktoitiveness.
“At a time when it’s common for players to transfer if they don’t win a starting job early on in their college careers, Garrett Nussmeier is the exception to the rule,” Jeremiah said. “He waited his turn at LSU for three seasons, backing up Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in 2023, before finally getting his opportunity to start in 2024, and he made a strong first impression.
“The son of New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett did have his rough stretches in 2024, throwing five interceptions in a two-game span during LSU’s three-game losing streak, including a goal-line pick against Alabama,” Jeremiah said. “He bounced back for a strong finish to the season, though, and enters 2025 as one of the leading Heisman candidates.”
Still, finishing 9-4 and winning a Texas Bowl is not what LSU fans want.
“(Garrett) Nussmeier needs to do a better job of protecting the football and improving his accuracy on drive throws.”
“These two issues are connected. I love his willingness to attack tight windows, but when tries to generate extra velocity, his ball sails, leading to turnovers,” Jeremiah said. “He also needs to speed up his clock at times in the red zone. He locks on and the windows disappear.
“Evaluators are going to be critical of his limited physical traits. He lacks prototypical size/arm strength. Obviously, he can’t do anything about his height, but I have seen several quarterbacks upgrade their arm strength in the NFL,” Jeremiah said. “In his defense, he doesn’t play small at all. He’s comfortable in condensed space and has a good feel for climbing/sliding in the pocket to find throwing lanes.”
Nussmeier doesn’t have much time to get settled. LSU opens the season on the road versus Clemson. He will be going head-to-head with another NFL prospect and Heisman favorite, Cade Klubnik. If LSU wants to have any shot at a SEC title and CFP appearance, Nussmeier must cut down on the turnovers.
“I do see elements of three different quarterbacks I’ve studied over the years.”
“Nussmeier’s movement and delivery are reminiscent of Tony Romo. His touch and deep-ball trajectory/accuracy gave me some Andy Dalton vibes,” Jeremiah said. “His competitive nature and physical frame compare favorably to Brock Purdy.
“Nussmeier’s not a perfect match for any of those three players, but it feels like he comes from the same quarterback family.”
Six quarterbacks threw for 4,000+ yards in 2024. All five of the others were taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. And of those drafted, Nussmeier was the only signal caller to average fewer than eight yards per attempt and post a sub 65 percent completion rate.
LSU went out and got Kentucky speedster Barion Brown to help with the downfield attack. LSU will need Brown to stretch the field and give Nussmeier and Brian Kelly another weapon to help the Tigers keep folks guessing through the air.
