Latest news with #Nussmeier
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
LSU's Garrett Nussmeier vs. Clemson's Cade Klubnik: Which QB has the advantage in week one
LSU's Garrett Nussmeier vs. Clemson's Cade Klubnik: Which QB has the advantage in week one Two Heisman trophy hopefuls in LSU football's Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson's Cade Klubnik face off during week one of the 2025 college football season. The pair of quarterbacks lead teams with College Football Playoff aspirations. Nussmeier returned for his second season as the starter while Klubnik enters his third. He led Clemson to an ACC Championship and a College Football Playoff berth. The last time LSU and Clemson faced off, two future No. 1 picks in Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence squared off in the 2019 National Championship. While the stakes won't be as high, this game has title race implications. We could see a shootout as two of the best passers in the sport go head-to-head. Nussmeier, who needs 3,343 yards to become the program's all-time leading passer, gained new offensive weapons in wide receiver transfers Barion Brown and Nic Anderson out of the transfer portal. Trusty weapons in Aaron Anderson and Chris Hilton Jr. also make their returns. Klubnik will have no shortage of weapons either as the Clemson wide receiver room is one of the most talented in the sport. Here's how Nussmeier and Klubnik have stacked up so far. Career Stats Comparison Nussmeier: 62.6% completion percentage, 5,772 yards, 7.8 yards per attempt, 40 touchdowns, 19 interceptions Klubnik: 63.4% completion percentage, 7,180 yards, 6.9 yards per attempt, 57 touchdowns, 18 interceptions With two full years as a starter, Klubnik's career numbers stand out as he enters his senior year. Nussmeier played for two seasons under Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and brings four years of collegiate experience into his fifth season with the Tigers. Nussmeier's average yards per attempt of 7.8 is nearly an entire yard better than Klubnik's mark at 6.9. 2024 Stats comparison Nussmeier: 64.2% completion percentage, 4,052 yards, 7.7 yards per attempt, 29 touchdowns, 12 interceptions Klubnik: 63.4% completion percentage, 3,639 yards, 7.5 yards per attempt, 36 touchdowns, 6 interceptions In their most recent seasons, Nussmeier performed well against SEC juggernauts week after week. While Clemson won the ACC crown, its strength of schedule pales in comparison to LSU's. But that's no reason to understate Klubnik's talent. His touchdown-to-interception ratio showcases his ability to make accurate throws in critical situations. PFF and QBR Nussmeier: 81.3 PFF pass grade, 79 QBR Klubnik: 87.7 PFF pass grade, 78.9 QBR PFF's passing grade and ESPN's are among the most proven ways to evaluate college quarterbacks. Both numbers do a good job at capturing the value a passer provides to their team. PFF gave Klubnik the advantage last year while Nussmeier had a slight edge in QBR.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Everything Brian Kelly said about Garrett Nussmeier on the Paul Finebaum show
Everything Brian Kelly said about Garrett Nussmeier on the Paul Finebaum show In an appearance on Paul Finebaum's show, LSU football head coach Brian Kelly shared his thoughts about quarterback Garrett Nussmeier ahead of the 2025 season. Nussmeier, who continues preparations for his second year as a starter, demonstrated "maturation" and meshed well with new teammates during the offseason, according to Kelly. "He had a great spring," Kelly said. "He got a chance to really bend with the new receivers that we have and the weapons we've added. I just think he's going to have a great year going into year two." Wide receivers Barrion Brown and Nic Anderson transferred to LSU with Power Four experience. Paired with veteran returners in Aaron Anderson and Chris Hilton, the Tigers' pass catching lineup makes competition better and Nussmeier's job easier. "I think the weapons around him obviously make a big difference," Kelly said. Despite experiencing the typical growing pains in playing a tough SEC schedule, Nussmeier ended the season on a high note with three straight wins and put himself within reach of the program's all-time passing yards record. "Being a first-time starter is so difficult," Kelly said. "His ability to overcome some of the setbacks he had in our last three games, where he played at a high level, that's going to continue." "I think we all know about his background," Kelly said, "He's the coach's son. He's somebody that's been around the game. So, I think when you look at quarterbacks, you want to see that kind of football IQ. He's a learner of the game. He's always looking to be curious about something new. Then he's got arm talent and anticipation. He can make those tight window throws that NFL coaches really, really like." If Nussmeier puts it all together, the ceiling is high. The veteran QB has a chance to contend for the Heisman and be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Nussmeier wouldn't be the first LSU quarterback to have a monster fifth year. Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels both led historic LSU offenses as fifth-year passers.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN compares Oklahoma Sooners target to LSU quarterback
ESPN compares Oklahoma Sooners target to LSU quarterback Too many quarterbacks is an enviable problem in football. In college football, with the transfer portal and NIL considerations, the old chestnut is even more true: it's impossible to have too many quarterbacks. That's why schools like Oklahoma are constantly recruiting for the position. The Sooners have added four quarterbacks this offseason: John Mateer, Jett Niu, Whitt Newbauer, and Gavin Fraikes. In the 2027 recruiting class, the Sooners are chasing after one particular top-10 quarterback in the country: Shreveport, Louisiana's Peyton Houston. Houston, who plays his football at Evangel Christian, is ranked No. 53 overall in ESPN's "Junior 300." And on Tuesday, Craig Haubert and Tom Luginbill, a pair of ESPN writers, compared a few players from the 2027 recruiting class to current college football players. The idea is that the fans haven't seen the high schoolers, and a comparison provides a better vision of what the recruit could do. Houston was compared to current LSU quarterback and Heisman Trophy favorite Garrett Nussmeier. "When it comes to pure passing acumen, Houston has everything evaluators look for," Haubert and Luginbill wrote. "He has one of the smoothest, cleanest releases in recent classes with extremely consistent mechanics. Houston throws with power and velocity and the ball jumps off his hand." Nussmeier spent most of his first three years with the Tigers on the bench. At one point, his father, former NFL quarterback Doug Nussmeier - who also happens to be an NFL quarterbacks coach - intimated the younger Nussmeier may take his talents elsewhere if LSU didn't play him. Instead, Garrett stuck around and threw for more than 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. Oklahoma would almost certainly take those kinds of numbers from Houston in a few years. The Sooners have impressed in their recruitment of Houston, a consensus four-star prospect in the cycle. He told John Williams of Sooners Wire after a visit to Norman in the spring. "The atmosphere and the people in Oklahoma are what continue to bring me back," Houston said. "The players and coaches all seem to be in the same thought process, and all have bought into the program." Though it's always tough to pull kids out of Louisiana, the Oklahoma Sooners have put themselves in a great position to land the talented passer from the Bayou. Last summer, the Sooners were favored to land Houston after Parker Thune of OUInsider and Rivals issued a Futurecast. Though there's been a change in offensive coordinator since then, the Sooners are still in a strong position as they continue their pursuit of one of the most talented players in the 2027 recruiting class. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier appears on cover for EA's College Football 26
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier appears on cover for EA's College Football 26 Powerhouse Programs. Real World Coaches. Electric Traditions. Experience it all in #CFB26. Coming July 10. Pre-Order Now 🔗: — EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) May 27, 2025 LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was pictured on the Deluxe Edition cover of EA Sports' College Football 26 game, released Tuesday. "Powerhouse Programs. Real World Coaches, Electric Traditions. Experience it all in #CFB26," the caption said on social media. In the white jersey with purple numbers, Nussmeier held up an "L" with his right hand and a customary cross eye back on both cheeks. He stood next to Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, whom he'll face off with in Week One. Coaches, current and former student-athletes combined to represent 14 schools on the cover. From ex-LSU commits and current Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, past and present names from the game came together to promote the newest edition of the popular video game. Fans can pre-order the game, which will be released on July 10. EA Sports revived the tradition last season by paying players to use their NIL for its creation.
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr compares Garrett Nussmeier to Jayden Daniels
Former LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr compares Garrett Nussmeier to Jayden Daniels During an autograph signing session at Dick's Sporting Goods, former LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. gave praise to current quarterback Garrett Nussmeier ahead of his second year starting for the Tigers. The Jacksonville Jaguars' star believes Nussmeier can make the same improvements between his first and second years as the starter just like Heisman winner Jayden Daniels did. "Seeing get better each and every year and progresses throughout the years, I feel like he can do the same thing," Thomas said. The pair both entered LSU as part of the 2021 recruiting class, which ranked third in the SEC. The group also included current New York Giants pass catcher Malik Nabers. Nussmeier sat behind Daniels before taking over the starting role in 2024. Heading into his fifth season donning the purple and gold, Nussmeier needs 3,343 passing yards in 2025 to become LSU's all-time leading passer. After surpassing 4,000 yards last year, his total stands at 5,772 passing yards through four years with the Tigers.
