Loyalty is always rewarded. We all know Garrett Nussmeier had every reason to dip after last season. He could’ve chased the bag or taken the portal route. But nah, he’s still rocking purple and gold. Baton Rouge is home, and he’s got unfinished business. He wants to be the guy for the Tigers in 2025. He put on a show in 2024 — 4,052 passing yards and 29 TDs. A top-10 QB in ESPN’s rankings. LSU’s riding with him, and Brian Kelly’s making sure the pieces around him are all locked in.

Now, this is where it gets spicy. LSU isn’t playing nice in the portal. But they’re not handing out starting spots like Halloween candy either. The message from Brian Kelly and his staff? If you’re transferring in, you better be ready to fight for that jersey. Baton Rouge sports talk legend Buddy Songy broke it down on the LSU Tigers on TigerBait on April 10. “Still a battle at center,” he began. “I think what you’re seeing with this LSU coaching staff is that they’re not going to just automatically let these portal guys come in here and start. They’re going to have to earn it.” These guys have to earn it in the weight room, in the trenches, and in every rep. 

“This next time or three months is big in the weight room,” Songy added. “Got to get bigger, got to get stronger, got to get deeper. But right now, DJ Chester and Braelin Moore are your two centers at left guard.” LSU’s O-line is getting a nice reset with names like DJ Chester, Braelin Moore, Paul Mubenga, Tyree Adams, and Weston Davis in the mix. There’s competition everywhere, and not one spot is safe. It’s gritty, and Brian Kelly wants it that way.

And let’s not sleep on the big-time portal hauls. Northwestern transfer Josh Thompson, the top interior O-lineman, picked LSU over Tennessee. The 6’4, 290-pound dude was the No. 2 OL in the Big Ten per PFF, which is a massive win for the Tigers. He could play right guard or right tackle. And pairing him with Braelin Moore? That’s a monster move. He was a rock at Virginia Tech, a straight up 6’3, 290-pound mauler who helped them rack up 2,000+ yards in the regular season. And there’s more. 

Brian Kelly is making plans for Garrett Nussmeier

Brian Kelly and Co. didn’t just stop at the line. They hit the portal like it was draft day, bringing in 35 transfer players. Weapons for Garrett Nussmeier? WR Nic Anderson out of Oklahoma. He torched it in 2023 and set a school record with 10 TDs as a freshman. He sat out last season due to an injury, but when he’s healthy, he’s a vertical threat that’ll give the QB another weapon to unleash deep.

And then there’s Barion Brown from Kentucky. Over 1500+ yards with double-digit scores and a freak in the return game with five kick returns in the SEC. That’s a conference record, by the way. But everything’s on the table right now with star linemen like Emery Jones and Will Campbell heading to the NFL. 

So yeah, Garrett Nussmeier’s back and locked in. But this isn’t just his story anymore. This is a reload and Brian Kelly’s sending a clear message — If you’re not grinding, you’re not starting.