Nick Saban Names 'All-Time Sleeper' In College Football

The LSU Tigers are set to take the field for the first time in the 2024-25 college football season on Sep. 1 against the USC Trojans.

They're heading into the year as the No. 13 team in the nation. Throughout the offseason, there have been questions surrounding the Tigers' ability to perform at a high level, given the loss of Heisman quarterback Jayden Daniels to the NFL draft.

LSU will be starting Garrett Nussmeier in place of Daniels. The 6-foot-2 signal-caller is heading into his fourth season with the Tigers and his first year as the established starter.

Some fans or analyst may have their doubts about Nussmeier, but college football royalty Nick Saban believes Nussmeier is ready for the challenge.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach seems to have confidence in the skill players in Baton Rouge. Despite the team losing Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., their leading receivers from the 2023-24 season, Saban is riding with the Tigers.

"I think Garrett Nussmeier is going to be one of the all-time sleepers in college football this year at QB," Saban said on "College GameDay." "LSU always has skill guys. They're talking about all the receivers they lost -- you could shake a tree in Louisiana and them guys would fall out."

During the 2023-24 season, Nussmeier was a backup behind the nation's top quarterback in Jayden Daniels, but he was able to show off his throwing ability in the ReliaQuest Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers in January.

In the Tigers' 35-31 victory over Wisconsin, Nussmeier recorded three touchdowns on 395 yards, with a 68.9 completion percentage.

That's the biggest opportunity Nussmeier has had in his college career to prove his worth, and he certainly showed out with that chance.

Nick Saban seems to believe something special is brewing with Nussmeier and company, calling him one of the "all-time sleepers."

Garrett Nussmeier and the LSU Tigers will have a chance to start the 2024-25 season on a strong note when they take on the No. 23 USC Trojans at 7:30 p.m. ET. Their Week 1 matchup will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Allegiant Stadium.

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