Things are taking a toll in Baton Rouge. And LSU QB, Garrett Nussmeier, is at the helm of it. After a minor scare last week where he had to leave practice with a knee issue, LSU head coach Brian Kelly soon confirmed that Nussmeier was “fine.” With his past season behind him, a rollercoaster mix of highs, like a 300-yard opener, and tough lows against top SEC defenses. Garrett is now coming back leaner, stronger, and sharper. Other than carrying LSU’s offense this year, Nussmeier is also looking to contribute more on the run.

That leverages his better conditioning to evade the ever-present SEC pass rush. However, as per recent reports, there are certain things that Nussmier is doing wrong during his fall camp practice. And that’s what made Coach Brian Kelly and OC Joe Sloan have ‘the’ talk with him. Sloan previously praised how Garrett’s refined mechanics have taken his precision to a new level. And especially in longer throws downfield. But that very impression got affected during Nussmeier’s recent fall camp practice.

“During 7 on 7 red zone work during @LSUfootball practice,” sports director Jacques Doucet writes on X. “Garrett Nussmeier threw a high fade towards the corner that was intercepted by Mansoor Delane. Nussmeier wasn’t happy at all about what happened, had [a] long discussion with Brian Kelly and Joe Sloan after [the] play.” In tight red zone situations, precision is crucial. A high fade, throwing the ball toward the corner of the end zone, is a common but risky call. And especially against an alert secondary like LSU’s Mansoor Delane. He is famous for his defensive instincts and competitive intensity, capitalizing on Nussmeier’s aerial miscalculation.

Secondly, practice interceptions like this serve as a learning moment but also highlight areas where discipline and decision-making can improve. Nussmeier felt frustrated because he understood that teams must minimize such errors in actual games, where each possession counts. In game scenarios, plays like this can have significant negative effects on LSU’s offense. As of now, Brian Kelly provided reassuring news about Garrett Nussmeier’s recent injury scare. That puts the Tigers’ fanbase at ease. Nussmeier was dealing with patellar tendinitis in his knee. It’s a chronic condition he has been managing, which was aggravated when he planted awkwardly during practice.

The injury stemmed from a prior surgery in 2023, not a new incident, and no footage showed any serious structural damage to the knee. With the injury scare behind him, the focus now naturally shifts to Nussmeier’s gameplay. Coming off last season, where he threw for 4,052 yards. Now, Nussmeier must keep his head clear and concentrate on reducing on-field mistakes. And especially costly ones like interceptions in the red zone. As LSU gears up for its season opener against Clemson in late August, all eyes are on Garrett. And mistakes like these won’t hold in game-time situations. Which in turn can affect the Tigers’ offense and also Nussmeir’s Heisman campaign.

The battle for offensive glory

Garrett Nussmeier’s Heisman campaign is facing an interesting twist in 2025. And thanks to the rise of LSU’s dynamic running back, Caden Durham. Last season, Nussmeier put up huge numbers, passing for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns. He is now ranking near the top in LSU and SEC history and finishing among the leading Heisman candidates. However, LSU’s offense in 2025 is not built around just one star. Caden Durham emerged as a powerhouse on the ground last year with 753 rushing yards. And now he is widely projected to lead the SEC in rushing yards this season.

Durham’s explosive running style and ability to consistently gain yards put a heavy workload on him. That inevitably changes the offensive dynamic. Because LSU leans on Durham’s ground game to control the clock, keep defenses honest, and manage game tempo. Thus, Nussmeier’s opportunities to rack up gaudy passing stats naturally cap themselves. This dual-threat scenario is a double-edged sword for Nussmeier’s Heisman and NFL draft aspirations.

Opting for a balanced or run-heavy offense means fewer passing attempts and thus lower raw numbers on passing yards and touchdowns. These are key stats that Heisman voters tend to scrutinize intensely. On the other hand, Durham’s presence makes LSU’s offense more unpredictable and difficult to defend. That should boost the team’s overall efficiency and chances for wins. It’s a major tradeoff between individual stats and team success.