Brian Kelly doesn’t say no to old wisdom, especially when it’s from one of Bayou’s own legends. LSU (4-0) rolled into the non-conference clash with Southeastern Louisiana Lions. But despite the perfect start with wins over Clemson, Louisiana Tech, and Florida, the offense has not looked great. The Tigers HC knows that to keep the momentum going, Garrett Nussmeier needs to turn his potential into production.

On September 20, famed LSU sportscaster Jacques Doucet shared a video of Rohan Davey voicing his thoughts on Garrett Nussmeier before the SEC game. During his playing time with LSU from 1998-2001, he threw for 4,415 yards and 29 touchdowns. He later became a 2x Super Bowl champion as a backup to Tom Brady in New England. “Get you four or five touchdowns and get him out of the game,” he said. In that game against Florida, the Tigers led 35-0 at the break.

Garrett Nussmeier was playing through a torso injury at the beginning of the season. In this game, he looked fresh and in control. Nussmeier completed 81% of his throws (25 of 31) for 273 yards and three touchdowns. He also scrambled for the longest run of his career and scored on a quarterback sneak. LSU removed Nussmeier and the rest of the starters after taking a 42-0 lead in the third quarter. Final score: 56-10.

Son of longtime NFL coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett blends instinct with arm talent, developing steadily under Brian Kelly’s leadership. Against Florida, he threw for 220 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his ability to handle pressure while using his legs more effectively, a tweak his HC emphasized this season.

Meanwhile, the Florida QB DJ Lagway experienced a rough night, throwing two early interceptions, one returned 58 yards by Dashawn Spears. Still, his resilience showed and he finished 33 of 49 for 287 yards and a touchdown. Coach Billy Napier provided context, citing offseason injuries that impacted performance. “It’s a young player, you know, he’s gonna learn from his experiences,” he said, subtly defending his QB while acknowledging the reality of Death Valley’s electric pressure.

Garrett Nussmeier faces a rising SEC QB threat 

Garrett Nussmeier is vying for top quarterback recognition across the SEC and the 2026 NFL Draft landscape. But ESPN’s recent poll of 25 NFL scouts and executives places South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers slightly ahead, earning eight votes for QB1 over his seven. The rest are Miami’s Carson Beck, Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Penn State’s Drew Allar, and others.

LaNorris Sellers’ rise is impossible to ignore. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, he blends dual-threat ability with a quick release and physical toughness that fits the NFL mold. Scouts are intrigued by his instinctive playmaking and physical resilience. “He’s got the make-up, intangibles, and ability to run,” one veteran evaluator told ESPN. “He’s got the most potential to be an impact player.”

For now, LSU fans can rest easy knowing Garrett Nussmeier is developing into the kind of QB who can dominate at home while holding his own among the SEC’s rising stars. But the season is young, and with players like Sellers emerging, the SEC QB leaderboard is already shaping into one of the nation’s most compelling storylines.