With LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels declaring for the NFL Draft, redshirt sophomore quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is ready to be the full-time starting quarterback when they face the Wisconsin Badgers in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Day. Nussmeier has only seen some game action this season as he completed 51.5% of his passes for 196 yards and one touchdown.
Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy this season and he is projected to be a Top 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after having a career year. This will not be the first time that Nussmeier has started a game.
Garrett Nussmeier told Zack Nagy of Sports Illustrated about his journey over the past three seasons in finally becoming the starting quarterback of the LSU Tigers against the Wisconsin Badgers and beyond:
“It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve been trusting in God and trusting in God’s plan for me. Sometimes you want things and it may not come when you want it but God has the right timing, so it’s about trusting in him and letting it happen when it was supposed to happen.”
Nussmeier mentioned also how difficult the journey was for him mentally as well to Nagy by saying:
“There were a lot of moments like that. When you prepare to play in a game, I take a lot of pride in the way I prepare as if I was going to play in every game we went into. Then when the clock went to zero and I didn’t play, it was hard, but the easiest thing was if we won the game I was happy. Now it’s my opportunity to play and I’m excited about that, but it’s the same goal: Win the football game.”
LSU Tigers Turn the Page on the Jayden Daniels era to the Garrett Nussmeier era against the Wisconsin Badgers
Head coach Brian Kelly is transitioning from one quarterback to another and that is the life of a college football coach every few years or so. Jayden Daniels had a great year for the Tigers. He completed 72.2% of his passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Daniels also rushed for 1,134 yards on 135 carries and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 8.4 yards per rush.
Garrett Nussmeier will have a chance to shine against a decent Wisconsin Badgers football team. He will be the starting quarterback for LSU next season. The Tigers finished with a 9-3 record during the regular season and the Badgers finished with a 7-5 record during the regular season.
Nussmeier also said to Nagy:
“It’s been a long three years trying to stay patient and trust in the plan, trust in the process, trust in God’s plan. It’s a weird feeling, but I’m very excited. I’m more excited to get out there and play my best and show people what I can do and that I can lead this offense to its maximum potential.”
Garrett Nussmeier transferring to another football program never crossed his mind throughout this process. He will finally get his chance to do something special.
LSU has way more talent than Wisconsin does. Luke Fickell’s squad may be in for a long day. However, the inexperience of Nussmeier could be a slight advantage to the Badgers’ defense, but it may not matter for the Tigers’ offense.
