Four days of full-on spring practice are in the books for LSU, and the 2025 squad’s already hitting the field with helmets and pads. Garrett Nussmeier has returned to Baton Rouge to own it. After spending years in the shadows of Jayden Daniels, the Tigers’ QB1 is stepping into his second season as the unquestioned leader of an LSU offense that’s been built, tailored, and sharpened entirely around him. The raw flashes have always been there—the rocket arm, the confidence to let it fly, the gunslinger’s mentality—but now, with a full season under his belt, Nussmeier isn’t just playing in Brian Kelly’s offense. He is the offense. And that’s exactly what Tigers fans have been waiting for.

What’s different this time? For one, LSU’s war chest has doubled. The Tigers’ NIL budget has skyrocketed to a reported $18 million, giving Brian Kelly and his staff unprecedented resources to lock in talent and stack their roster. The investments are already paying dividends. On3’s J.D. PicKell dissected where the confidence meter is around Tiger QB1 on The Hard Count. “Garrett NM and how he’s progressing—they feel really good about the fact that he’s going into his second year as a starter.” That confidence comes from more than just continuity; it comes from the reps, the battle scars, and the high-pressure moments that forge great quarterbacks. Nussmeier got his trial by fire last season.

Now, he walks into games like Alabama with the poise of a guy who’s been there before. “The fact that you are now walking into the Alabama game, for example, where last year that was essentially a playoff game for you… that’s not going to be the case this year. It’s Garrett Nussmeir’s offense, Whit Week’s [LB] defense. So there is no question as to the leadership or who’s in charge of those things.” Translation? The Tigers have their guys, and there’s no looking back.

LSU isn’t just betting on Garrett Nussmeier. They’re doubling down on everything. PicKell outlined three key reasons why Kelly’s Tigers are sitting in their best position since his arrival in Baton Rouge. “What I’ve been told from people close to LSU… they feel like this is the best situation this team has been in overall under Brian Kelly. They feel like they have the most talented roster, top to bottom, they’ve had. They also feel like they have the best staff they’ve had since they’ve gotten there.”

That’s a bold statement considering LSU’s recent offensive firepower with Daniels slinging it to first-round NFL talent. But the key difference? This time, they have the defense to match. “Now, quick disclaimer here—obviously, when Jayden Daniels was there and you had two first-round picks on the perimeter, that’s going to make a pretty strong case for the best offense that LSU’s had. But remember, the defense was horrific. It was, ‘Don’t let your kids watch this thing; it’s so inappropriate, don’t watch the defense.’” LSU was electric on the offense and a disaster on the other side. That’s what’s changed. The defense is no longer an afterthought.

LSU’s offseason wasn’t just about retaining its starting quarterback. It was about fixing the roster gaps that left them vulnerable last year. “The story of the spring is going to be how these 16 transfers they’ve brought in are able to translate to immediate success,” PicKell emphasized. That’s the other piece of the puzzle—depth.

Kelly went to work to ensure the Tigers won’t have the same drop-off they’ve experienced in recent years. “Depth has been an issue for LSU over the course of the last few seasons under Brian Kelly. They went to work and made sure that wasn’t going to be the case.” The NIL boost and transfer portal strategy weren’t just about adding names. They were about building layers—the kind of roster that doesn’t just compete with the Alabamas and Georgias of the world but wears them down.

And while all eyes are on the field, LSU is making just as many moves off it. The Tigers pulled in a massive portal haul, headlined by Patrick Payton, a disruptive edge rusher from Florida State. His arrival symbolizes LSU’s aggressive approach—don’t just compete, dominate the trenches. And it’s not just about the players.

The coaching staff got a crucial boost with the addition of Kyle Williams as defensive line coach, further reinforcing the belief that this year’s LSU team is built differently. “They feel really good about the portal; they feel great about the roster,” PicKell said. With Burrow, Chase, and Justin Jefferson lighting up Death Valley, saying this is Kelly’s best LSU team? That’s a stretch, but they’re sure looking pretty solid right now.

The pieces are in place. The NIL money is flowing. The depth chart is stacked.

Garrett Nussmeier gaining chemistry with LSU receivers

LSU head coach met with the media on Wednesday, offering insight into the team’s progress—and naturally, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was a key topic of discussion.

Currently ranked No. 13 in ESPN’s QBR rating, Nussmeier is entering a pivotal offseason, and Kelly made it clear that building relationships with his receivers is priority No. 1. “Building a relationship with all of his receivers is what we’re looking for in that, timing, and you know he’s got some deep threats. He’s got some guys that certainly provides him with a lot of different options,” Kelly explained.

It’s not just about arm talent—it’s about rhythm, trust, and making sure Nussmeier and his weapons are on the same page. Kelly emphasized that getting as many reps as possible with the receiver corps is the main focus this spring. “It’s been really, for me, much more about getting him as much work with the receiver crew and getting on the same page,” Kelly said. “And that seems to be coming, and I think what we’ll see is a quarterback that comes through the spring and just feels really confident with the options that he has.” Nussmeier’s talent is undeniable, but this spring is all about forging those crucial connections, solidifying him as the offensive leader.