LSU football is not starting their best quarterback

Jayden Daniels is not a bad collegiate quarterback or starting option for LSU football. However, a better option in Garrett Nussmeier is in Baton Rouge. 

Garrett Nussmeier has shown promise in every game he’s played. Moreover, the sophomore from Lake Charles (La.) has the best arm talent on the LSU football roster.

Why isn’t Garrett Nussmeier starting?

Garrett Nussmeier was clearly the best quarterback on the LSU football roster heading into 2022. Indeed, the son of NFL QB Coach Doug Nussmeier was the Tigers’ most promising signal-caller on a depth chart that included Myles Brennan, TJ Finley, Max Johnson, and Walter Howard.

However, things changed when Brian Kelly was hired as the new LSU football head coach. Kelly brought in Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels in the wake of Finely and Johnson opting to transfer out of Baton Rouge.

Nussmeier posted a strong LSU spring game, but Kelly’s bias for veteran players won out. Daniels emerged as the starter for Kelly’s first season as head coach.

The LSU football offense struggled with consistency in the early stages of the 2022 season, particularly in the passing game. Daniels established himself as a top threat in the open field, but his passing accuracy shortcomings were evident in games against stingier defenses.

Garrett Nussmeier was the complete opposite

Nussmeier didn’t offer the same scrambling threat as Daniels, but LSU football moved the ball through the air. The Tigers managed 800 passing yards and five touchdowns with Nussmeier under center. Moreover, LSU’s most significant improvements with Nussmeier leading the offense were evident in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, and the bowl game win over Purdue.

Garrett Nussmeier has all the tools to be an elite quarterback, including arm strength, footwork, and mobility. He needs to work on his reads, progressions, and adjustments, as more exotic defensive looks tend to force his errant throws while under duress. Indeed, Nussmeier is still developing, but having WRU-caliber targets at his disposal will help him along.

Ultimately, LSU football will need more than QB scrambling to reach the College Football Playoff this season. Suffice it to say, I think Nussmeier provides the Tigers with the best chance to win.

Nussmeier will assume the QB1 role for LSU football in 2024, regardless. Still, I hope the ‘Nuss Bus’ gets going sooner than later because he is too talented to remain on the sidelines and wait for mop-up duties in 2023.