LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier anxious for the start of season

It’s Garrett Nussmeier’s time; and listening to him talk at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, you can tell he’s just bursting with excitement. The Lake Charles native has been at LSU since 2021, and he heads into the 2024 season, finally as the Tigers starting quarterback.

LSU is coming off back-to-back ten-win seasons and Nussmeier says the team is determined to get into the new twelve-team playoff this season.

“Just feels different around the building, I think we have more of a mindset it’s time, we have to handle what we have to handle, like I said before ten wins isn’t good enough anymore and that leads to every side of the ball, the defense as well.

The defense’s expected improvement will be a big story line heading into the 2024 season. On offense, the Tigers must replace two starting receivers selected in the first round, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.

But Nussmeier says LSU’s receiver group still has a bunch of dogs.

“The entire receiver room is just a bunch of dogs, it’s one of the reasons that played into my decision I came LSU along with many other things, if I go to LSU I’m always going to have some dogs, this state produces receivers and DBs like no other, so it’s huge, plus with the offensive line we have, it’s going to give me time to give them the ball,” Nussmeier said.

LSU also has a new play caller as Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton will serve as co-offensive coordinators. Sloan has been the Tigers quarterbacks coach since 2022. Nussmeier says he has a strong bond with Sloan, who will call plays on Saturdays.

“He knows me better than anybody at this point, outside of my own father who worked with me since I was a kid,” Nussmeieir said. “I wouldn’t want to play for anybody else but Coach Sloan, our relationship means the world to me, his ability to make me into the right mental space, get me into the right playing state is what sets him apart.”

In this world of the transfer portal, relationships between players and coaches may only last a year or two. This will be the third year Nussmeier and Sloan have been together and the Tigers believe that long-term connection can help produce another big season for the LSU offense.