Losing a star quarterback is always tough, but when that QB is a Heisman winner like Jayden Daniels, the challenge is even greater. LSU and head coach Brian Kelly entered the 2024 season having lost more than just Daniels—they also saw top wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. leave for the NFL, both going in the first round of the draft. On top of that, LSU had to deal with a historically poor defense, making the rebuilding process even more complex.
To start fresh, Kelly brought in a new offensive coordinator after Mike Denbrock left for Notre Dame and overhauled the defensive staff entirely. However, the Tigers found a spark in quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who stepped up in a big way. Despite the pressure, the junior QB had a breakout year, throwing for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns, earning a spot in ESPN’s top 10 quarterback rankings. While he showed flashes of greatness, matching what Jayden Daniels achieved remains a tall order.
There are concerns, though—not so much about Nussmeier’s skills, but about LSU’s offensive balance. Andy Ari from ON3 noted that LSU often abandoned the running game at key moments last season, making it harder for Nussmeier to thrive. Ari believes LSU needs to run the ball more consistently to give Nussmeier a better chance to succeed. Without a solid run game, defenses can easily predict LSU’s play-calling, which puts more pressure on the quarterback.
Last season, LSU’s run game was a shadow of its 2023 self. Despite decent performances in short-yardage scenarios, they struggled overall, with just 43.5% of their runs gaining more than four yards—placing them outside the top 100 nationally. Running backs like Caden Durham, Kaleb Jackson, and Josh Williams failed to break out, averaging under two yards per carry.
As for Nussmeier himself, he’s made it clear that he isn’t trying to replicate Daniels’ playing style. “Jayden and I are different football players,” Nussmeier stated. He emphasized that while he’s capable of running when needed, his strength lies in finding the open man and delivering accurate throws rather than trying to be a dual-threat QB.
And Nussmeier isn’t wrong—his passing skills are exceptional. He throws with impressive velocity and can release the ball from various angles. He’s also excellent at avoiding sacks, leading college football with a 3.74% pressure-to-sack ratio. Asking him to become a rushing QB would be like asking a fish to climb a tree.
That said, Nussmeier does acknowledge the importance of mobility. He believes it’s crucial to be able to run around 15% of the time—especially on broken plays or in critical third-down situations—and is willing to do so when necessary.
The comparison with Jayden Daniels remains striking. Daniels was a major rushing threat, racking up over 1,000 yards in his final season and 885 in 2022. Nussmeier, by contrast, had negative rushing yards in 2024 and only one rushing yard in 2023. This disparity highlights just how different the two quarterbacks are.
Still, Nussmeier isn’t without his flaws. While he showed flashes of brilliance, like in the first half against Texas A&M, he also struggled with turnovers—tying with Georgia’s Carson Beck for the most interceptions in the SEC. Additionally, LSU didn’t fully utilize the deep passing game, limiting Nussmeier’s potential impact.
If LSU can establish a more consistent run game and reduce turnovers while unlocking more of Nussmeier’s downfield capabilities, the quarterback could surpass even Daniels. With the right support, Nussmeier might not just contend for the Heisman—he could also help lead LSU to another national title under Brian Kelly.