With the college football season starting next month, one of the most intriguing quarterback battles is still underway. Spring practice only gave us a glimpse of who Brain Kelly will give the nod to start when the Tigers travel to the “Big Easy” on September 4th. The starting quarterback will have to step into the bright lights for the first game in the regular season as the Tigers will take on Florida State. The quarterback room for the Tigers comprises of talented freshman and veterans that are ready to compete for the job. According to 247sports, the expectation is that Garrett Nussmeier, Myles Brennan and Jayden Daniels are in a three-man race.
Garrett Nussmeier
Nussmeier, a redshirt freshman, saw some game action with the Tigers during the 2021 season. The Lake Charles native threw for 329 yards and 2 touchdowns in the four games where he saw action. Nussmeier turned some heads during spring practice and in the 2022 National L Club Spring Game. The redshirt freshmen went 9-of-16 on his throws for 136 yards and a touchdown. There has been some positivity around Nussmeier’s development and how he is improving from the inconsistencies he had last fall. Nussmeier is looking to turn away from that “gunslinger” role into more of being a game manager for the Tigers.
“I think I’ve learned a lot from last year, getting to play in some real SEC time. I think the biggest thing for me was kind of being more of a manager of an offense, ” Nussmeier said. “For some reason I got this gunslinger approach. I take some shots, but I can’t look to do that every play so that’s what I’ve learned, just move the sticks.
According to 247sports, Nussmeier shouldn’t be counted out in any means with his development through spring and fall practice.
“He’s got ‘fit into a phone booth’ throws as well as anybody I’ve been around, ” Kelly said. “He’s got the makeup of a great quarterback, but there’s been this development, technically, that has been, I think, from my perspective, nice to see as we’ve gone through the spring. And yeah, he’s doing a really nice job.
Myles Brennan
Brennan, a fifth-year senior, is one of the touted veterans that has been in the LSU locker room for the past three years. One of them was mentoring 2019 Heisman trophy-winning quarterback, Joe Burrow. He has played sparingly throughout his three years at LSU as he has dealt with injuries. Brennan hopes to reclaim the starting position that he had in the 2020 season. Brennan had to overcome trials and tribulations throughout his tenure at LSU.
I’ve been dealt some difficult cards, but I can’t give up. I won’t give up. I’ve got to keep pushing forward. Life’s too short to give up. Call it unlucky. Call it whatever you want. I got hurt. That’s part of football.
It has been a challenge for Brennan as he was named the Tigers starter in 2020, before suffering a season ending injury. When 100%, Brennan has proven to be more than capable of leading the offense and has the ability to stretch the field. During his limited action in the 2020 season, Brennan threw for 1,112 yards and 11 touchdowns. Brennan is the only LSU quarterback in program history to throw for over 300 yards in each of his first three starts and being one of five LSU quarterbacks to throw for over 400 yards in a game.
Jayden Daniels
Daniels was a three-year starter for the Arizona State Sun Devils where he passed for over 6,000 yards and 32 touchdowns in 30 games and added 1,288 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. The former Arizona State star had a stellar freshman campaign where he threw for 2,943 yards and 17 touchdown. Daniels showed regression in the 2021 season, where turnovers become more of the issue for him, throwing for 10 interceptions.
Daniels was one of the more sought-after transfers in the transfer portal this offseason with his dual-threat capabilities that he brings to the table. Brian Kelly was able to bring him in what is already a crowded quarterback room. Kelly showed high praise for bringing in Daniels to compete for the starting role.
“Jayden is an outstanding player who will make our quarterback room even stronger,” Kelly said,” He’s a playmaker with a strong arm and the ability to make plays with his feet.”
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