Garrett Nussmeier on Jayden Daniels, Joe Burrow comparisons: ‘I’m Garrett Nussmeier’

In recent history, LSU has seen success from second-year starters. Both Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy in their second seasons with the program – and while Garrett Nussmeier faces high expectations this year, he’s not focusing on those comparisons.

Nussmeier put up huge numbers in 2024 after taking over for Daniels as the LSU starter. He threw for 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, and will run it back for one more year with hopes of improving his NFL Draft stock.

But when it comes to comparisons to either Burrow or Daniels, Nussmeier is keeping things in perspective. He wants to write his own legacy while also hoping to achieve the ultimate goal of winning a title.

“I’m Garrett Nussmeier,” Nussmeier said at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, La. “I’m not Jayden Daniels, I’m not Joe Burrow – I’m Garrett Nussmeier. So I’m going to be the best Garrett Nussmeier I can be and hopefully, it’s enough for the LSU Tigers.”

Before becoming QB1 in Baton Rouge last year, Nussmeier spent time behind Max Johnson in 2021 and two years behind Daniels. He then got his time to shine, starting every game for LSU last season. That means he had plenty of film to watch and, as a result, a number of defensive looks to break down in those sessions.

As he gets ready to take a jump as a Year 2 starter, Nussmeier pointed out the high bar. But he also said he’s in a much different place than he was a year ago because he has a full season of games to look back on and review.

“It’s a lot,” Nussmeier said. “Being able to watch an entire season, correct mistakes and to go back and see my weaknesses and see things that I need to improve on, find the tells that I may have been giving to defenses and things like that. It’s a totally different ballgame, to have a full season to be able to watch and correct. Also, just from my personal growth as a player and having those experiences under my belt, I’ve seen a lot.

“We saw a lot of different defenses last year, a lot of different things. People had to try a lot of different things to stop us. Being able to see all those things – all those different pressures, all the different coverages – is something that’s going to help me a lot.”