LSU football has momentum heading into the 2025 season. After going through a rough patch in the second half of last season, the Tigers reeled off three straight wins to close the 2024 campaign on a high note. The Tigers' season culminated with a 44-31 win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl.
Along with a talented group of returning players, Brian Kelly and his staff dipped into the transfer portal to bring in 18 prospects, including 11 four-star transfers. But, the biggest name returning to Baton Rouge in 2025 is quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
Whit Weeks, another returning playmaker, has elite confidence in Nussmeier and the Tigers this season. The pair are close friends, and the linebacker has plenty of faith in his quarterback.
In a clip from Netflix's upcoming documentary "SEC Football: Any Given Saturday," Weeks showcased his confidence in Nussmeier with a bold message that LSU would win the national championship should Nussmeier come back to Baton Rouge.
“I just told him, I was like, ‘Dude, if you come back, we’re winning the natty.’” @LSUfootball QB Garrett Nussmeier discusses his decision on whether to enter the NFL draft or stay in college another year with Whit Weeks.@SEC Football: Any Given Saturday drops August 5. pic.twitter.com/XrffFtXfJQ
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) August 4, 2025
Nussmeier's potential in 2025 is sky high
Weeks' pitch worked, as Nussmeier opted to forgo the 2025 NFL Draft and return to Baton Rouge for a fifth season. The linebacker's vote of confidence is a bold one, but the Tigers have a chance to make it a reality. LSU received high praise in the 2025 preseason coaches poll, and after missing out on the College Football Playoff last season, the Tigers are hungry to get to the next level under Brian Kelly.
Instead of transferring to another school in order to receive more playing time, the Lake Charles native opted to stay in Baton Rouge and wait for his turn at the LSU starting job. He got the full-time starting nod last season, throwing for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing 64.2 percent of his passes.
Nussmeier's experience is extremely valuable. That is especially true when considering that teams such as Texas, Ohio State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oregon and Alabama will all have new full-time starting quarterbacks this season.
Looking to build off those numbers in 2025, Nussmeier could be in line for another big year. With elite playmakers such as Aaron Anderson, Nic Anderson, Barion Brown, Chris Hilton Jr, and Kris Parker at his disposal, LSU's strong receiving core gives Nussmeier - and the LSU offense as a whole - the potential to reach great heights in 2025.