The recruiting world was set ablaze this week when Garrett Nussmeier—the nation’s No. 1-ranked quarterback in the 2025 transfer portal—announced his commitment to the Ohio State Buckeyes. After a dramatic and closely watched decision process that included heavy interest from Tennessee, BYU, and Alabama, the former LSU signal-caller chose to bring his talents to Columbus, instantly transforming the Buckeyes’ quarterback room and reshaping the college football landscape heading into the 2025 season.
Nussmeier’s decision is nothing short of a seismic shift for Ryan Day’s program. The Buckeyes, already a perennial contender, now add a battle-tested, high-upside quarterback with elite arm talent, SEC experience, and the confidence of a field general. For a program that has been searching for that next game-breaking quarterback since the departure of C.J. Stroud, the addition of Nussmeier may be exactly what Day and the Buckeyes need to reclaim Big Ten dominance and return to the College Football Playoff.
“This was about opportunity and alignment,” Nussmeier said in his official commitment statement. “Ohio State offers everything I’m looking for—a world-class coaching staff, elite talent across the board, and a chance to compete for a national championship. I’ve watched this team closely, and I believe I can help elevate them to the next level.”
The Buckeyes had long been rumored as a frontrunner once Nussmeier entered the portal in early July. Still, with blueblood programs like Alabama and Tennessee also in hot pursuit—and BYU making a late, compelling pitch—it wasn’t a done deal. Nussmeier took official visits to all four schools, met privately with coaches, and weighed the opportunity to start immediately versus long-term development. In the end, Ohio State’s combination of high-end receiving talent, an innovative offensive system, and Ryan Day’s quarterback pedigree proved too enticing to pass up.
For Day, Nussmeier’s commitment is a massive win—not just for the upcoming season, but for his own legacy. After three straight losses to Michigan and growing scrutiny from fans and media, Day enters the 2025 campaign with the highest stakes of his tenure. Landing Nussmeier sends a clear message: the Buckeyes are not standing still.
“Garrett brings a dynamic skill set and maturity to our program,” Day said during Big Ten Media Days. “He’s played in big moments, and he knows how to lead. His ability to make every throw, extend plays, and process defenses will be a tremendous asset for us.”
Nussmeier, who spent the last four seasons at LSU, had one of the most intriguing arcs of any quarterback in the country. The son of longtime college and NFL coach Doug Nussmeier, Garrett entered Baton Rouge with a four-star rating and a reputation as a cerebral, high-upside passer. After backing up Jayden Daniels in 2022 and 2023, he emerged in the 2024 season as LSU’s full-time starter and didn’t disappoint.
In 2024, Nussmeier threw for over 3,800 yards and 32 touchdowns, with just eight interceptions, earning All-SEC second-team honors and leading LSU to a New Year’s Six bowl berth. Scouts praised his poise under pressure, his fearless deep ball, and his improving pocket presence. Though LSU had hoped to retain him for one more season, the program’s coaching transition and philosophical shift on offense opened the door for his exit.
Still, few expected him to commit so quickly.
“I did a lot of soul-searching,” Nussmeier said. “I wanted to be somewhere that matched my intensity and ambition. When I visited Ohio State, I felt it. The way they practice, the way they prepare, the attention to detail—it’s a championship culture.”
Part of that championship culture is built around elite wide receivers. Nussmeier will now throw to perhaps the best in the country: sophomore phenom Jeremiah Smith. Widely considered the best wideout in college football entering 2025, Smith is a dynamic blend of size, speed, and route precision. The connection between him and Nussmeier is already generating buzz in Columbus.
“Garrett’s a dawg,” Smith said in a social media post following the announcement. “Let’s work.”
The Buckeyes’ offense is now arguably the most explosive unit in the country. With TreVeyon Henderson returning in the backfield, a rebuilt but promising offensive line, and young weapons like Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate emerging at receiver, the table is set for a massive season. Nussmeier’s arm talent immediately expands the playbook and restores confidence in the quarterback position—a question mark over the past two seasons after inconsistent play and injuries derailed OSU’s rhythm.
What separates Nussmeier from other quarterbacks in the portal wasn’t just production—it was leadership. Former LSU teammates raved about his preparation, his command of the huddle, and his unshakable demeanor in big moments.
“He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever been around,” one former LSU coach said. “And he’s got that quiet fire. He doesn’t flinch. That’s what you need at a place like Ohio State.”
Ohio State fans seem to agree. Within hours of the announcement, Nussmeier jerseys began trending on OSU merchandise sites. Season ticket demand, already strong, spiked. Buckeye Nation, hungry for redemption and a return to national prominence, sees Nussmeier as the missing piece.
But expectations will be sky-high. The 2025 schedule is grueling: a Week 2 clash with Texas, a road trip to Penn State, and of course, the annual battle with Michigan in Ann Arbor. Day knows that wins alone won’t satisfy the fanbase—it’s about winning the right games, especially in November and December.
Nussmeier isn’t shying away.
“You don’t come to Ohio State to hide from pressure,” he said. “You come to embrace it. You come to play in The Game. You come to chase trophies.”
The quarterback room is now reshaped. Devin Brown, who battled throughout spring and summer to retain his starting spot, now faces steep competition. The room also includes five-star freshman Tavien St. Clair, but barring a surprise, Nussmeier will be the frontrunner entering fall camp.
Coaches have already emphasized that competition will continue, but insiders say the staff views Nussmeier as the guy.
“He didn’t come here to sit,” one OSU source said. “He came to lead. And we’re ready to follow.”
For Ryan Day, this might be the most important personnel decision of his tenure. His success—or failure—with Nussmeier will likely determine the narrative around his future. But for now, the fanbase is energized, the locker room is optimistic, and the Buckeyes appear ready to make another national title push.
In the long lineage of Ohio State quarterbacks—from Troy Smith to Dwayne Haskins to Justin Fields—Garrett Nussmeier now gets his chance to carve out his own legacy.
The countdown to kickoff begins, and in Columbus, expectations have never been higher.
Garrett Nussmeier has arrived.
And so has the next chapter of Ohio State football.
