LSU’s quarterback room heading into the 2023 season took a hit on its depth chart after Walker Howard decided to transfer to Ole Miss. With Howard leaving to one of LSU’s rival in the SEC West, the Tigers will now turn to Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier leading the way in the quarterback room. Daniels decided shortly after the end of the 2022 season that he was going to come back to Baton Rouge for one final ride and Nussmeier has shown his flashes when he saw the field. Along with Daniels and Nussmeier, Kelly was able to bring in Rickie Collins into the discussion. Here is how the LSU quarterback room is shaping out for the 2023 season:
Jayden Daniels:
Daniels returns for his senior season after stepping onto the scene in Baton Rouge heading into the 2021 season. The Arizona State transfer was effective through the air and on the ground as he was a big part in LSU finishing the year with 10 wins. Daniels has used the time off in the offseason to continue to improve and work on his game back home in Southern California to get ready for the next season.
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Daniels is a confident player that has taken command of the huddle and the offense for LSU. In his first year with the Tigers, he finished the season 2,913 yards, 17 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Daniels finished the 2022 season with a QBR of 79.2, which ranked 15th amongst FBS quarterbacks. He would add 885 rushing yards on 186 attempts with 11 touchdowns.
Coming off a solid 2022 campaign, Brian Kelly made sure that there was going to be no quarterback controversy. heading into the 2023 season as its Daniels job going forward:
“There’s no quarterback controversy,” Kelly said following the Citrus Bowl. “Jayden is our No. 1 quarterback.”
Daniels does have some offseason hype heading into next season’s opener against Florida State as he is one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy along with his potential quarterback competitors around the country.
Garrett Nussmeier:
Nussmeier has shown flashes when he stepped on the field with Daniels absence in the SEC Championship against Georgia. He had the chance to compete for the starting job last spring, but was ultimately passed up by Daniels in the competition. Nussmeier has the ability to extend plays with his legs, but his biggest strength is he can make all of the necessary throws down the field.
There is an area of concern when it comes to Nussmeier and that is taking care of the football. In limited time during the 2022 season, Nussmeier passed for 800 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. He saw most of the action on the field in LSU’s last two contests of the season. Against Georgia in the SEC Championship, Nussmeier passed for 294 yards and two touchdowns.
The gunslinger would see action in the Citrus Bowl against Purdue as he was able to throw for 173 passing yards and two touchdowns. His longest throws in both of those games were a 75-yard pass and a 59-yard pass. Nussmeier has been able to showcase his arm talent when he is given the reps on the field.
Rickie Collins:
Collins will be one of the newcomers that will enter the program from LSU’s Class of 2023. He is rated as one of the Top 10 players in the state of Louisiana for the Class of 2023. The Woodlawn product followed up his junior season with an impressive senior outing in 2022.
Collins passed for 1,512 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also rushed for another 598 yards and six touchdowns. During his junior season in 2021, Collins passed for 1,930 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to taking home All-Metro and LSWA Class 5A All-State honors. During his sophomore season in 2020, Collins would step into a vital role for Woodlawn’s offense as he finished the year with 1,449 yards and 16 touchdowns.
According to 247Sports, Collins flashes good athleticism in the pocket and above average mobility as a runner. He displays the quick twitch and flexibility to avoid pressure and shows ability to play off platform.
