Five Returning LSU Football Players To Watch in 2024
LSU boasted the best offense in college football last year, averaging 543.5 yards per game in total offense led by receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers and Heisman trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. All three playmakers left LSU to become first-round NFL draft picks, but the Tigers still have reason to be optimistic heading into the 2024 season. On the defensive side of the ball, LSU returns key starters after a disappointing 2023 on defense. The linebacker room will continue to be a strength of the defense, while the line play will look to improve in a new scheme under new defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Look for these returning players on both sides of the ball to make huge contributions to the team this season.
1. Garrett Nussmeier
The number one reason for Tigers fans to be excited about the LSU offense moving forward has to be Garrett Nussmeier. The redshirt junior bided his time at LSU behind Myles Brennan, Max Johnson, and Jayden Daniels and now finally has the chance to be the undisputed QB1. He's seen action in each of his 3 seasons at LSU, most notably in relief for the injured Daniels in the 2022 SEC Championship game against Georgia and starting in this year's ReliaQuest Bowl game. Nussmeier's cannon arm has tantalized Tiger fans for three years, and his performance in LSU's come from behind bowl victory only added fuel to that fire.
2. Harold Perkins Jr.
Harold Perkins Jr. recorded similar numbers in both 2022 and 2023, but fell off the radar a bit last year as LSU's defense as a whole struggled. In this draft eligible junior season, Perkins will look to recreate the highlights from his electric freshman season at LSU. Perkins has a knack for disrupting opposing quarterbacks in the pocket and forcing offenses to adjust their gameplans on the fly. He finished with a 1 yard touchdown run on his first collegiate offensive snap in the ReliaQuest Bowl last year to add to his portfolio of highlight reel plays. Look for Perkins to continue to stand out on the Tigers' defense among a talented linebacker corp.