"I feel like the product that I put out there for my teammates and for these coaches who have spent so much time on me, I feel like it wasn't as consistent as I wanted it to be," Nussmeier said in December. "And I feel like there's a whole other level that I could tap into."
Nussmeier, the fifth-year senior quarterback who is entering his second season as the starter, played well in his first campaign as the leader of the offense last fall. He threw for over 4,000 yards, completed 64.2% of his passes and had nearly 30 touchdowns.
But his greatness only came in flashes. He also had 12 interceptions and failed to utilize his legs in situations where he needed to call his number.
"I don't want to show flashes," Nussmeier said. "... I think that this first year for me was a huge growth year and just kind of learning who I am as a player."
Nussmeier returns to a program that's shown an immaculate recent track record of developing quarterbacks as they enter their second year as starters. Joe Burrow in 2019 won a national championship. Jayden Daniels in 2023 put up historic numbers and, like Burrow, won the Heisman Trophy.
If Nussmeier can even come close to replicating the success of Burrow and Daniels, LSU's offense will have a chance of reaching the highs of those two historic seasons. The Tigers' activity in the transfer portal, along with some key returning pieces, should allow him and the attack to flourish in 2025.
Quarterback
A case could be made that Nussmeier is the best quarterback in college football heading into this season. Few signal callers in the nation possess the arm talent, confidence and accuracy that he has.
Backing up Nussmeier is another quarterback who started SEC games a year ago, Michael Van Buren. Now a sophomore, Van Buren transferred to LSU from Mississippi State over the winter after throwing for 1,886 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games.
Redshirt freshman Colin Hurley is the lone scholarship quarterback behind Van Buren. The Florida native has been a full participant in preseason practices after he was involved in a serious car crash in January.
Running back
Sophomore Caden Durham returns as the Tigers' lead back. Last fall, he surpassed multiple veterans en route to earning a starting role. He had 753 rushing yards on a team-high 140 attempts as a freshman.
With veterans John Emery and Josh Williams no longer in the room, junior Kaleb Jackson will need to play a larger part in the backfield after struggling in limited action last season. Jackson flashed potential as a freshman but only averaged 3.4 yards per rush in 2024.
Competing with Jackson for reps will likely be freshman Harlem Berry. Berry was one of LSU's most heralded prospects, arriving in Baton Rouge as the No. 1 running back in the nation and a five-star recruit, per the 247Sports Composite.
The Tigers' fourth running back is on track to be sophomore Ju'Juan Johnson. After starting last year as a safety, Johnson transitioned to running back in Week 2 and has also worked at wide receiver and quarterback this preseason.
Wide receiver
LSU's wideout room features a strong blend of returning experience, youth and transfers who have the chance of making an immediate impact.
Redshirt junior Aaron Anderson, fifth-year senior Chris Hilton and senior Zavion Thomas are back for what will likely be their final seasons at LSU. Anderson led the Tigers in receptions a year ago, Hilton has the athleticism to be a difference maker and Thomas' speed makes him a useful weapon on offense and special teams.
Joining that group are Oklahoma transfer Nic Anderson, Florida State transfer Destyn Hill and Kentucky transfer Barion Brown. Anderson brings much-needed size to the room, while Hill is a New Orleans native and Brown is a proven performer in the SEC with elite speed.
A seventh name to keep an eye on who is also returning is redshirt sophomore Kyle Parker. The former four-star recruit showed promise last season before a torn tricep tendon prematurely ended his year.
Tight end
With Mason Taylor off to the NFL, LSU turned to the transfer portal and added fifth-year senior Bauer Sharp from Oklahoma. Sharp led the wounded Sooners in receptions and receiving yards last year.
His exploits as a blocker make him the favorite to start, but LSU will have plenty of depth behind him. Sophomore Trey'Dez Green was a weapon in the red zone last season and has the size and athleticism to earn a bigger role in 2025. Texas A&M transfer Donovan Green was an impact freshman but has only played 23 snaps on offense since then, per PFF.
Offensive line
The majority of LSU's question marks lie with this unit. The Tigers lost four three-year starters on the line to the NFL in April and return just one starter.
Redshirt sophomore DJ Chester, last year's center, is set to move over to left guard after LSU added Virginia Tech transfer Braelin Moore. Along with Moore, the Tigers also brought in Josh Thompson from Northwestern out of the portal. Thompson will likely start at right guard, but he can also play tackle.
Redshirt sophomore Tyree Adams, after missing time last season with a partial abdomen tear, is projected to slide in for Will Campbell at left tackle. Starting on his opposite side is likely redshirt freshman Weston Davis, a former top-115 recruit nationally.
LSU coach Brian Kelly insists that the Tigers haven't settled on Adams, Davis, Thompson, Moore and Chester being their starting group. Redshirt sophomore Paul Mubenga, redshirt freshman Coen Echols, freshman Carius Curne and redshirt junior Bo Bordelon all have a chance to crack the starting five, according to Kelly.
LSU offensive depth chart
QB
13 GARRETT NUSSMEIER 6-1, 205, 5-SR.
11 Michael Van Buren 6-0, 190, SO.
RB
29 CADEN DURHAM 5-9, 205, SO.
28 Kaleb Jackson 6-0, 234, JR.
WR
1 AARON ANDERSON 5-8, 188, R-Jr.
12 Kyle Parker 5-11, 195, R-SO.
WR
3 CHRIS HILTON 6-0, 190, 5-SR.
4 Nic Anderson 6-4, 208, R-JR.
WR
0 ZAVION THOMAS 5-10, 192, SR.
6 Barion Brown 5-11, 185, SR.
TE
10 BAUER SHARP 6-5, 246, 5-SR.
14 Trey'Dez Green 6-7, 240, SO.
LT
71 TYREE ADAMS 6-7, 310, R-SO.
57 Carius Curne 6-5, 320, FR.
LG
79 DJ CHESTER 6-6, 315, R-SO.
65 Paul Mubenga 6-5, 317, R-SO.
C
61 BRAELIN MOORE 6-2, 300, R-JR.
79 DJ Chester 6-6, 315, R-SO.
RG
56 JOSH THOMPSON 6-5, 315, 5-SR.
78 Coen Echols 6-4, 315, R-FR.
RT
75 WESTON DAVIS 6-7, 317, R-FR.
57 Carius Curne 6-5, 320, FR.