LSU Football: Is it just a matter of time before Garrett Nussmeier is QB1?

LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron has made it clear this month that sophomore Max Johnson is the Tigers’ starting quarterback.

Johnson was named the starter after redshirt senior Myles Brennan suffered a broken arm that will keep him out for at least two months (Orgeron has indicated that Brennan should be back in early November at the latest).

With Brennan sidelined, LSU only has two healthy scholarship quarterbacks — Johnson and true freshman Garrett Nussmeier.

While Orgeron is confident in Johnson as the starter, it appears that Nussmeier has been impressive enough during fall camp that there’s at least some chatter about a “quarterback controversy”.

Could Garrett Nussmeier overtake Max Johnson as LSU football’s starting quarterback?

Johnson earned the starting job at LSU via his strong finish to the 2020 season (when he led the Tigers to wins over Florida and Ole Miss to close the season). Even if Brennan hadn’t suffered a broken arm, there was still a solid chance that Johnson would’ve won the job.

Brennan’s injury means that Nussmeier is the primary backup quarterback.

But should Nussmeier be starting?

There’s probably not enough information to determine that just yet. However, it definitely sounds like Coach O is a massive fan of the true freshman signal-caller.

On Saturday, after LSU’s scrimmage, Orgeron said Nussmeier is “dynamite”. Coach O also noted that Nussmeier had several big plays during the scrimmage.

From 247Sports:

"“I think he’s going to be one great quarterback. He’s dynamite.”"

Orgeron made sure to point out that Johnson is the starter, but I don’t think we can ignore the plentiful praise that’s been tossed Nussmeier’s way.

For now, I think LSU will stick with Johnson. But if he struggles, I think we’ll see Nussmeier get a shot.

Orgeron proved last season that he’s not afraid to shake things up. Coach O made the switch from TJ Finley last season to Johnson and it paid off.

Could Johnson be on the other side of a similar switch in 2021?

It’s certainly possible.