Q&A: QB Garrett Nussmeier opens up on returning to LSU

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was one of the biggest question marks on LSU’s roster at this time last year. The gunslinger from Lake Charles pushed Jayden Daniels in the offseason before going the entire 2022 season as the second-string and coming in to play through the lows of two interceptions against Southern and the highs of a tremendous showing against Georgia and Purdue.

Now, he’s back and on Tuesday he met with the media to talk about this year’s team, his return, and more.

Coming back to LSU

“What I want to get out of this year is the same I want to get out of any year and that’s just continuing to get better and always being in competition with what I have the potential to be. Coming back was not a hard decision for me. My roots are in this state, this is my home and it means something to me to represent LSU and these fans. With my teammates and coaches ive built relationships with the new staff and then with my teammates, I wanted to finish what I started.”

On his relationship with Joe Sloan

“One of the first conversations coach Sloan and I had, he said he was the best coach in the country to coach me and that could be true because we’re very similar. We’re both emotional guys. He’s quick to get onto me, but I love it and I’m used to it and that’s how I want to be coached. I want to be coached to be the best that I can be.”

Difference in the offense

“One of the biggest things Denbrock has stressed this offseason is ‘it’s not about changing who we are, it’s about perfecting who we are’ and it’s the little details. That’s where we’ll improve as an offense is perfecting the details and fixing the mistakes we made last year.”

Skill players

“It’s very relieving as a quarterback when you’re out there and if something goes bad and you have to leave it up to a one-on-one situation, it feels like a 100-0 and not a 50-50 with the receivers and playmakers we got. For me and Jayden. That’s a complete relief.”

Offensive line’s growth

“They’ve done a great job learning and growing and getting experience. Will and Emery were two freshmen and now they look like vets in how they practice and play on the field. That goes for the interior guys too, in Dellinger and Fraazier and Charles and they’ve stepped up big as a unit. They’re tough and bring us more of an identity and it’s awesome to see.”

“The biggest thing I’ve improved on with this coaching staff is improving my emotional awareness and working through things I didn’t know how to work through before. Staying even-keeled, not getting too high or too low. I’m very passionate and sometimes it can help me and sometimes it can hurt me. I’m trying to push that into a way that can only help me. The other big thing is staying locked into each play and each series.”

On Mason Taylor

“Mason is a stud. It’s hard for a tight end to not grow mentally when you catch a game winner against Alabama. Now, you see that confidence and he’s stepped us as a leader on the team too and you see that every day. The dude doesn’t drop a ball. The young guys have so much talent and they’re getting better every single day. It’s a very deep and talented room, so I’m excited to see what we can get out of them this year.

On the velocity of his passes

“I’m always trying to get better and work on my arm strength. I don’t really feel any limitations on throws, I feel the confidence to make any throw I need to make on the field. It’s been important for me to learn how to control that aggression. I used to be extremely extremely aggressive and I would put the ball in danger. I would get too high and think I could make every play in the world and try to force it instead of just going through my reads and letting those plays come to me. I always have the confidence and trust in my teammates to do what I need to do.”

Manning passing academy

“It was awesome to get to coach a quarterback drill with Eli Manning. I want to be a coach one day too. I’m a coach’s kid, I’ve always been around ball, football is all I know and all I love to do, so getting to talk to a couple greats like that and listen to them talk and listen to the stories they have to tell, it’s pretty cool.”

Potential of this team

“The sky is the limit for us this year if we handle things the right way. Our defense is ridiculous. There are so many athletes and so many dogs on that defense, it’s scary. It makes us better as an offense because it’s not easy for us as an offense. As long as we handle everything week by week, and take care of what we need to do, I’m really excited.