What’s in for Garrett Nussmeier in 2025? Despite being eligible for the NFL draft, he’s returning for one more season to start under Brian Kelly at Louisiana State University. Is he poised to rewrite their previous 9-4 season? Let’s face it, the SEC is a battlefield but this season, the LSU Tigers are hungry and they have a very good shot at leaving their conference rivals in their dust. And that chance rests squarely on the shoulders of the returning QB1. 

Last season, Garrett Nussmeier proved he could carry his team. He compiled 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns, completing 64.2% of his passes. And while the SEC opponents are packed with talent, there’s one factor that puts LSU above the competition — experience. As J.D. PicKell pointed out in a new On3 episode on February 22, “Garrett Nussmeier, I truly believe has a chance to be the best quarterback in college football next year… I feel good about a lot of different quarterbacks but in terms of guys that are like proven commodities, there may not be a more sure thing than Garrett Nussmeier who threw for over 4,000 yards last year.” This is the advantage that LSU has over their SEC counterparts who are seeing a change in QB position. 

“You look across the SEC,” PicKell pointed out. “I think LSU has a unique combo of the best roster talent to go with a returning quarterback.” For context, playmakers like Jaxson Dart and Quinn Ewers aren’t returning to Ole Miss and Texas. “From a Georgia, pun intended I suppose, to a Texas, a lot of those teams are playing new quarterbacks next year.” Even SEC powerhouse Texas who has a weapon in Arch Manning may not be up to compete with a seasoned CFB veteran like Garrett Nussmeier. 

Why? “There’s no guarantee that Arch Manning is a dude from day one,” PicKell observed. “I think he’s going to be good but is he going to be a guy that throws for 4,000 yards his first year in the SEC like Garrett Nussmeier did last year as first-year as a starter? I don’t know, feels like a little bit of a stretch.” Arch Manning’s hype was already blowing the ceiling before his starting career even began, mainly stemming from his last name. As backup behind Ewers, he completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards and nine TDs, plus 108 yards and four TDs on the ground. But there’s always an air of uncertainty behind every freshman college football starter.

So, can Nussmeier take his experienced advantage and lead LSU to a national championship in his final collegiate season? Hold on, Paul Finebaum has something to say about it.

Paul Finebaum points out Garrett Nussmeier’s last season flaws

Paul Finebaum has reasons to feel apprehensive about Garrett Nussmeier entering the 2025 season. He faced concerns regarding turnovers which were apparent in crucial matchups against teams like Ole Miss (2), Alabama (2), and Texas A&M (3). While the LSU Tigers were able to make a comeback in the 29-26 OT against the Rebels, they lost to both the Crimson Tide and Aggies by double digits. Pointing out his inconsistencies on The Paul Finebaum Show, the ESPN analyst fired, “I think his first year was erratic at times. What I’m really encouraged by is the expectations for this year are literally through the roof.” 

As J.D. PicKell pointed out, this could be a make-or-break year for Garrett Nussmeier’s final season in Baton Rouge. But hope is there because the 23-year-old showed immense improvement in his final four games. During that stretch, he racked up 1,182 yards and eight touchdowns with just one interception. Despite his stance, Paul Finebaum believes that if the returning Tigers’ star keeps up with his late-season momentum, there’s a chance that LSU can ride high in 2025. 

LSU fans know the script — the Tigers live and die by their QB play. If Garrett Nussmeier delivers, a national championship run is on the table. If not, the SEC competition will leave them in the dust. The pressure is on — will he live up to the expectations?