Garrett Nussmeier had a solid individual season for the LSU Tigers, and he is now among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in 2025.
Momentum From Garrett Nussmeier’s Strong First Season Leading the LSU Tigers
It was very unusual to see LSU not make the AP Top 25 at the end of the 2024 season. Despite finishing with a 9-4 record, defeats to ranked USC, Texas A&M, and Alabama ultimately led to them not receiving enough votes and were way off making the 12-team playoffs.
What the Tigers do have, however, is a strong quarterback heading into the 2025 season with Nussmeier under center for his second season.
Individually, the stats were brilliant, as Nussmeier threw for over 4000 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Having that familiarity at QB is a good recipe for a team looking to bounce back to make the playoffs.
For Nussmeier himself, it has put him amongst the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy.
Should Garrett Nussmeier be a Heisman favorite this season?pic.twitter.com/hnD6hhUcR1
— College Sports Network (@CFN365) February 16, 2025
There are similarities with the last LSU QB to win the Heisman in Jayden Daniels. The current Washington Commanders QB had a year as a starter before putting together a brilliant second season to claim the trophy.
Of course, Joe Burrow also achieved the same feat, with Nussmeier hoping to do the same and perhaps match Burrow’s achievements should the Tigers win a national title.
The LSU receiving core for 2025 will be healthier and much deeper than that of 2024. Returning wide receiver Aaron Anderson will be one of Nussmeier’s key weapons after an 884-yard season that also produced five touchdowns.
Moreover, though Kyren Lacy will be a big loss following his 866-yard, nine-touchdown season, freshman running back Caden Durham rushed for 753 yards and six touchdowns, giving the offense and Nussmeier a real option to lean on and open the game up.
How Does Nussmeier Stack Up Against the Rest?
Nussmeier will definitely have plenty of competition in the Heisman running this upcoming season.
Looking at the fellow contenders, Arch Manning is right there with Nussmeier after stepping in for Quinn Ewers for the Texas Longhorns and impressing. Though Nussmeier has the experience of being the lead QB for a big school, there is an allure around Manning as he follows in his family’s footsteps which may sway voters his way.
Clemson’s junior QB Cade Klubnik is also in contention. He led his program to a 10-4 record, throwing for 3639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
Ohio State Buckeyes WR Jeremiah Smith is certainly someone to keep an eye on, as the freshman was a key cog in winning the national title earlier this year. Other names to keep an eye on include Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava, Ohio State’s new QB Julian Sayin, and Penn State’s Drew Allar.
KEEP READING: ‘Good as Anybody’ — CFB Analyst Picks LSU Star Over Arch Manning as SEC’s Best QB
For now, Nussmeier and Manning lead the way in early predictions and everything is right there for the LSU QB to go win it. As a program, they will be looking to bounce back while Nussmeier will want to prove himself before potentially declaring for the NFL Draft.
He can go win the Heisman with the skill set he has and the tools around him. He just needs to go out and perform again.
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