Garrett Nussmeier Surges to LSU Starting QB—Inside the Breakout Star’s Path and What It Means for the Tigers’ 2025 Title Run

Baton Rouge, La. – LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has bulldozed his way into national headlines again, this time for gutting out a painful torso injury just days before the Tigers’ pivotal SEC West clash with No. 13 Ole Miss. Healthy or not, Nussmeier’s stock is soaring. The red-shirt senior is fresh off a four-touchdown demolition of Southeastern Louisiana that kept No. 4 LSU unbeaten and firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation. With Heisman futures tightening around him—Fox Sports lists the 21-year-old among the top-five betting favorites—Saturday night’s showcase in Oxford could define both his trophy candidacy and LSU’s path back to Atlanta. Injury Update: All Systems Go Head coach Brian Kelly confirmed that Nussmeier has practiced all week despite lingering soreness in his mid-section and is “full go” for Ole Miss. Team doctors fitted a lightweight flak jacket to protect his ribs, and sources inside the program say the quarterback’s mobility and velocity looked normal in Thursday’s closed practice. LSU trainers will reevaluate him pre-game, but barring a setback the Tigers expect their captain under center from snap one. That’s critical against an Ole Miss defense allowing just 18.6 points per game and ranking third nationally in takeaways. Matchup to Watch: Nussmeier vs. Rebels’ Pressure Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding brings heat on 38 percent of drop-backs, the highest blitz rate in the SEC. Nussmeier has punished the blitz so far, posting an FBS-best 71.4 completion percentage and 10.9 yards per attempt when opponents send five or more rushers. If the shoulder-high pads don’t limit his follow-through, expect LSU’s vertical passing game—led by Malik Nabers and Kyren Lacy—to test an Ole Miss secondary allowing 261 yards a game through the air. Key Numbers Heading Into Oxford • Season line: 1,342 yd, 14 TD, 2 INT, 69.8 % comp. • Red-zone TD rate: 87 % (2nd in FBS). • QB rating on 3rd down: 194.6 (1st SEC). • Yards per rush (scrambles): 7.1. What a Statement Game Would Mean A clean performance against a ranked foe would propel Nussmeier into the top tier of the Heisman conversation alongside Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and Texas’ Quinn Ewers. It would also keep LSU on track for an undefeated regular season, a scenario that could vault the Tigers to a No. 1 ranking entering November. NFL Draft Buzz Heating Up Scouts already project Nussmeier as a potential top-20 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to a live arm reminiscent of Joe Burrow’s and improved decision-making in Kelly’s pro-style scheme. One NFC South scout told local media this week that the quarterback’s pocket footwork has taken “a quantum leap” since last year’s bowl win, crediting his off-season work with renowned QB coach Jordan Palmer. Final Word All eyes Saturday night will be on how Garrett Nussmeier absorbs hits, manipulates the pocket, and delivers strikes against an aggressive Ole Miss front. If he plays to form—and if his ribs cooperate—the Tigers could exit Oxford unbeaten, while their fearless field general takes another stride toward the Heisman and LSU immortality.