UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Garrett Nussmeier, the Quarterback for LSU, Talks About His Audacious Return and
He could’ve declared for the NFL Draft after the 2024 season. He could’ve entered the transfer portal and become one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the country. He could’ve stepped into a new system, new spotlight, and rewritten his story somewhere else. But he didn’t. Against the prevailing winds of college football’s era of player mobility and instant gratification, Nussmeier made a choice that stunned some and inspired many: he stayed. And not just to hang around. He came back to finish what he started.
Now, with the 2025 season approaching, the LSU quarterback isn’t hiding from expectations. He’s leaning into them — fully aware of the legacy he’s chasing and the pressure that comes with it.
“This wasn’t about proving people wrong,” Nussmeier said in a recent sit-down at LSU’s Football Operations Center. “It’s about proving something to myself — and doing right by this team, this university, and all the guys who stuck with me.”
The 6’2” gunslinger, known for his arm strength and playmaking ability, enters the season as LSU’s unquestioned leader. And while his stats from the previous year were solid — 2,950 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions — it’s not about the numbers for Nussmeier. It’s about the feeling that last season left him with. The bitter taste of what could have been.
LSU’s 2024 campaign was, in many ways, a mixed bag. After a promising start and key wins over top-10 opponents, the Tigers stumbled late in the season, missing the SEC Championship Game by a single loss. In the Citrus Bowl, Nussmeier flashed brilliance, throwing for 340 yards and three touchdowns in a blowout win over Penn State. But the damage was done — LSU had once again fallen short of a College Football Playoff berth.
“We were close,” Nussmeier said. “But close doesn’t cut it here. At LSU, you’re either competing for a national title or you’re coming up short. That’s just the standard.”
That standard is something Nussmeier grew up understanding. The son of longtime college and NFL coach Doug Nussmeier, Garrett was raised in quarterback rooms. He’s had to fight for everything — first in high school as an undersized, underestimated passer, and later in college, competing behind Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. For years, he waited his turn. Now, the reins are his, and there’s no more time to wait.
When he announced his decision to return, social media lit up with reactions. LSU fans rejoiced. Teammates showed love. NFL Draft analysts called it a “calculated risk.” But to Nussmeier, it was about closure. “I couldn’t leave like that,” he said. “Not after everything we’ve built. Not when I know what this group is capable of.”
Indeed, LSU’s roster is loaded with potential. The offensive line returns four starters. The receiving corps, while young, is electric. And under head coach Brian Kelly and new offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, the system is tailored to maximize Nussmeier’s aggressive downfield style. That synergy is key, as Sloan and Nussmeier have spent the offseason dissecting every snap from the previous year — identifying what worked, what didn’t, and where they can take things next.
“We want to play fast, free, and fearless,” Sloan said. “And that starts with Garrett. He has the mind, the arm, the toughness — now it’s about taking full command.”
Taking command isn’t just about throwing touchdowns. It’s about presence. Ownership. Accountability. And this offseason, Nussmeier has stepped deeper into that role. He’s led team workouts, organized film sessions, and served as a mentor to younger quarterbacks in the room. To his teammates, it’s clear that this isn’t just business for Nussmeier. It’s personal.
“You can tell he’s locked in,” said wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. “He’s not here to just have a good season. He wants to leave a legacy.”
That legacy will be shaped by wins — especially the big ones. LSU opens the season with a marquee matchup against Clemson in Houston. It’s the kind of game that can set the tone for the season, and Nussmeier knows it. “You don’t ease into a season like this,” he said. “We’re jumping into the fire right away.”
The schedule won’t get easier, either. Trips to Auburn and Texas loom, along with the usual heavyweight clash with Alabama in Tuscaloosa. But those are the games that Nussmeier relishes. In fact, one of his most defining moments came last season on the road against Florida. Down by 10 in the fourth quarter, he engineered two long scoring drives — capped off by a 45-yard touchdown strike that silenced The Swamp.
“That was a glimpse,” Nussmeier said. “That’s who I want to be, consistently. Not just in flashes — every single week.”
Consistency will be the theme for the Tigers in 2025. In recent years, the program has struggled to sustain momentum, often alternating impressive wins with disappointing lapses. That’s something Kelly has worked hard to correct through culture-building and internal leadership — and Nussmeier is a central piece of that puzzle.
“He’s the heartbeat of this team,” Kelly said. “He chose to come back when he didn’t have to. That tells you everything about his character and his commitment. Now, we ride with him.”
The ride will also be closely watched by NFL scouts. Nussmeier was widely projected as a Day 2 pick had he entered the 2025 draft. Another strong year could elevate him into first-round conversations — especially with the demand for experienced, intelligent quarterbacks at an all-time high. But Nussmeier, for now, is focused on Saturdays, not Sundays.
“I’ve dreamed about the NFL since I was a kid,” he admitted. “But this — this moment right now — it’s the one I’ve worked for. If I take care of this, the rest will take care of itself.”
That mindset, grounded yet ambitious, has earned him widespread respect. Around the locker room, around Baton Rouge, even among opposing coaches. Nussmeier isn’t just another player chasing stats. He’s chasing impact.
That word — “impact” — comes up a lot in conversation with him. Impact on the scoreboard, yes. But also on his teammates, the community, the LSU program as a whole. That’s why he returns for this one final ride — to leave the program better than he found it. To show what it looks like when someone refuses to take the easy road.
In many ways, his decision flies in the face of today’s college football culture. The transfer portal has made it easier than ever to start over. NIL deals have made business interests central to player movement. Quarterbacks leave after one year to chase better depth charts or more money. But Nussmeier stayed. He waited his turn. And now, he’s betting on himself — at the very school where his journey began.
“Look, nothing’s promised,” Nussmeier said. “But I know what we have here. I believe in our team, our coaches, and I believe in myself. This isn’t about a fairytale ending. It’s about doing everything in my power to help LSU win. That’s it.”
As he walked out of the facility and into the sweltering Louisiana summer heat, Nussmeier smiled — not the grin of someone basking in spotlight, but the quiet confidence of someone who’s faced the crossroads and chosen purpose over convenience.
For Garrett Nussmeier, the 2025 season is more than just a final chapter. It’s a mission. A personal reckoning. A chance to answer every question, silence every doubt, and maybe — just maybe — bring another title home to Baton Rouge.
He doesn’t just want to play quarterback. He wants to lead. And as fall nears, one thing is clear: LSU’s future is in the hands of a man who believes in finishing the story — not escaping it.
Unfinished business, indeed.