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Yes, the 2024 season was tough for Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers. But they caught a break. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier made a huge sacrifice to show his loyalty, choosing to stay in Baton Rouge and maintain his long-distance relationship with Ella Springfield. But was it the right move? It looks like the road ahead will be bumpy. Kelly’s big ambitions didn’t pan out, and the Tigers stumbled, creating a past that could very well haunt Nussmeier.

The Tigers offense graph took a sharp rise in the 2024 season. Thanks to Kelly’s former quarterback, Jayden Daniels. The three-time SEC Player of the Week honors in 2023 continued to lead the nation in total offense with 386.8 yards per game. He has been the only 5,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard rusher in LSU history. So, it’s obvious that Kelly would take time to come out of the Daniels hangover. So he might have thought that the Daniels effect would continue in 2024 as well.

On That SEC Football Podcast, college football writer Matt Hayes said, “Brian Kelly began last season saying he thought the offense would be better than it was the year before, and that offense the year before with Jaden Daniels was mighty special man.” Did that happen?

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Unfortunately, no. And guess who had to bear the greatest blows for falling short of Kelly’s expectations? Their quarterback Nussmeier. “They struggled to protect Garrett, which is interesting,” stated Hayes. That should not have been the case, since two offensive tackles are going to the NFL Draft—Will Campbell and Emery Jones. So according to the analyst, “The middle three struggled for them. That’s why they couldn’t run the ba-l. That’s why they were susceptible to that interior rush, and that affected Garrett.”

Yes, that’s true. Even veteran offensive linemen like Garrett Dellinger and Miles Frazier failed to maintain consistency. So, Nussmeier’s 63.7% completion rate, followed by 3,739 yards and 29 touchdowns, all went into vain. On that note, Hayes painted a colorful reality for the QB. “If they could protect him, I think he could have a big year. I don’t know that I would put him at number one in the Heisman,” stated the writer. Now what are Nussmeier’s Heisman odds? 

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Can Garrett Nussmeier break the fifth-year curse and lead LSU to glory like Burrow and Daniels?

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Is Garrett Nussmeier the next LSU quarterback to shine in Year 5?  

The 2025 season marks the quarterback’s fifth year in college football. So, it better be special. Nussmeier finished the 2024 season ranked 13th nationally in ESPN’s QBR. Well, there is one special tradition in the Tigers’ history with the year 5. LSU has a history of fifth-year quarterbacks having breakout campaigns. Both Joe Burrow and Daniels won the Heisman trophy as the fifth-year quarterbacks at Baton Rouge. 

For all those still doubting Nussmeir, let us pop your bubble. Just like his first year as a starter, Daniels and Burrow didn’t immediately shine when they took the reigns. As per the Heisman odds, Kelly’s quarterback is leading the charts, just ahead of the Texas Longhorns quarterback, Arch Manning.

Now, in case Nussmeier gets lucky to bag the Heisman Trophy, he can focus on his childhood dream. “Since a young kid, all I have ever wanted was to grow up and play in the NFL…God brought me to the LSU for a reason,” the LSU quarterback once shared.

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Yes, the LSU Tigers would be the perfect platform to boost his stocks now that he has got another chance to add another chapter in his college football career. Garrett Nussmeier also has the tools NFL scouts love. His arm can make all the throws, he avoids sacks, and he sees the field well. Well, he’s not a speed demon, but he’s mobile enough. So, just with a little protection from his mates, he can unleash his best potential, going in the top 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft.  

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Can Garrett Nussmeier break the fifth-year curse and lead LSU to glory like Burrow and Daniels?

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