LSU Tigers: Is a quarterback controversy quietly brewing in Baton Rouge?

One might assume the LSU Tigers’ quarterback depth chart is set for the 2023. However, there’s reason to suspect a silent competition is underway.

The LSU Tigers may have the quietest quarterback controversy in college football. Jayden Daniels is the most-experienced quarterback on LSU’s roster and is fresh off a season during which he upset Alabama. But, conversely, few fans can ignore how well Garrett Nussmeier played in the SEC Championship Game and Citrus Bowl.

Such begs the question; will Brian Kelly soon have a Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa type of quarterback controversy on his hands?

we can’t ignore the plan to alternate quarterbacks during the Citrus Bowl…we suspect 2023 had much to do with it

Some LSU Tigers fans will scoff at any suggestion a starting quarterback competition exists in Death Valley. But then, there’s those of us who remain uncertain of who LSU’s current best quarterback is. Moreover, we can’t ignore the plan to alternate quarterbacks during the Citrus Bowl. Such reasons remain unknown, but we suspect 2023 had much to do with it.

There is no denying Nussmeier’s superior arm talent and what it provides the LSU offense. Thus, it is reasonable to suggest Daniels is primarily a spectator in his final college season. For example, the Tigers’ offense was largely dormant in the first half of the SEC Championship Game. However, things changed in the second half after Nussmeier relieved Daniels at quarterback.

Daniels wasn’t awful against Georgia, but his 16-for-24, 208-yards, and a touchdown aren’t as impressive as Nussmeier’s 15-for-27, 294 yards, and two touchdowns.

But, of course, one can argue the Bulldogs’ defense was playing more prevent once Nussmeier took the field. However, the redshirt sophomore was more impressive during LSU’s 63-7 demolition of Purdue in Orlando. Nussmeier was 11-for-15 with 173 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Such stats aren’t world-beating, but the younger quarterback was efficient and made a lot of dynamic throws.

The LSU Tigers benefitted greatly from Daniels’ mobility last season. However, the team also struggled with offensive consistency. The consistency issues resulted from Daniels’ inaccuracy and lack of letting plays develop. He improved as the season progressed, but his passing metrics remained less than optimal.

Want your voice heard? Join the Death Valley Voice team!

Write for us!

We expect opposing defenses to scheme to prevent Daniels from getting into the open field, thus, forcing him to throw. Alabama experienced such a dynamic later in Hurts’ tenure as their starting quarterback. And much like Hurts, Daniels is subject to replacement if he can’t get the ball downfield.

Coincidentally, like Hurts, Daniels will have a passer wearing jersey no. 13 ready to take his job.

This spring, all eyes are on the backfield as media pundits closely monitor first-team quarterback reps during LSU’s practices. So naturally, we don’t expect Kelly to do or say anything indicating a quarterback competition in LSU. The head football coach is too intelligent to incite such a media riot.

Instead, Kelly is likely giving Daniels every opportunity to show he is more than a run-first quarterback in 2023. Simultaneously, LSU is feeding Nussmeier just enough first-team reps that he’s ready without raising onlookers’ suspicions. What seems likely is Daniels winning the starting job in August, but with a very short leash.

Either way, the quarterback situation in Baton Rouge is very fluid. Expect more on the subject as the year progresses.