Garrett Nussmeier Impresses CFB Fans as Brian Kelly, LSU Beat Baylor in Texas Bowl
Jan 1, 2025
HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 31: Garrett Nussmeier #13 of the LSU Tigers passes the ball against the Baylor Bears during the first half in the Kinder's Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Garrett Nussmeier will return to LSU for the 2025 season, bypassing the NFL for one more year, and Tuesday's performance in the Texas Bowl against Baylor was a reminder of why the rest of the SEC can't be happy with that decision.
The Tigers' quarterback torched the Bears, throwing for 304 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 44-31 victory.
Nuss connects with the freshman @TreyDez_Green TOUCHDOWN
Chris Hilton Jr. (four catches for 113 yards and a touchdown), Aaron Anderson (eight receptions for 91 yards) and Trey'Dez Green (six catches for 53 yards and two scores) were his preferred targets, pacing what proved to be an explosive LSU offense despite a number of bowl opt-outs on that side of the ball, including star left tackle Will Campbell, fellow offensive linemen Emery Jones and Garrett Dellinger, starting tight end Mason Taylor and the team's leading receiver from the regular season, Kyren Lacy.
Nussmeier wasn't perfect, throwing an ill-advised interception in the third quarter. But he was generally very good, and social media gave him his deserved flowers for the performance:
🐯 Anderson, Hilton Jr, & Nussmeier are going to be the real deal next year. Add in Durham, Weeks, a healthy Perkins Jr & fix a few things & the 2025 team could be what the 2024 team was suppose to be. Nuss finally with 1 full season under his belt like Joe & Jayden had. 🤞
LSU (9-4) looked as though it had this one in the bag when it went up 34-17 in the third quarter following Zavion Thomas' 95-yard kick-off return for a touchdown. A pair of LSU turnovers on back-to-back drives made things more interesting, however, though Baylor (8-5) mitigated the shifting momentum by failing to convert a pair of fourth-down conversions.
The future appears to be bright for these Tigers. Nussmeier's return—alongside some excellent additions in the transfer portal—should have fans in Baton Rouge feeling very excited about the team's prospects for the 2025 season.
Report: FSU DE Patrick Payton Commits to Brian Kelly, LSU in CFB Transfer Portal
Dec 21, 2024
DALLAS, TX - SEPTEMBER 28: Florida State Seminoles defensive end Patrick Payton (#11) runs up field during the college football game between the SMU Mustangs and the Florida State Seminoles on September 28, 2024, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Defensive end Patrick Payton transferred from Florida State to LSU on Saturday, according to ESPN's Max Olson.
Payton started in all 12 games for the Seminoles in 2024, announcing his decision to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday.
After spending the first four years of his college career as one of the bright spots on Florida State's defensive front, Payton will now join head coach Brian Kelly's team for his final season of eligibility.
While the Seminoles' 2-10 record in 2024 may have played a role in his decision to transfer, he still remained effective. Payton finished the year with 35 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Former Florida State EDGE Patrick Payton will transfer to LSU, per @mzenitz
He was named the 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, and is expected to instantly contribute on the Tigers' defense. In 40 total appearances with Florida State, Payton racked up 110 tackles, 16 sacks, 13 passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
Kelly's program has been active in the portal, adding former Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown as well as former Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane.
LSU now ranks No. 2 in the country in the latest 2025 transfer team rankings from 247Sports.
Kelly previously discussed his approach to the portal on Nov. 18.
"The transfer portal will not go away and it will be something we have to investigate and look at," Kelly said, via 247Sports' Glen West.
"The transfer portal will be examined closely and if we feel like there's a particular need to balance our football team, we're going to invest in that," he added.
The Tigers will be looking to improve upon a record of 8-4 in 2025, especially after starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier chose to return to the team and prepare for the 2026 NFL draft.
Payton gives LSU another experienced defender as it attempts to climb to the top of the SEC standings next season.
Zy Alexander NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for LSU CB
Dec 18, 2024
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 16: LSU Tigers cornerback Zy Alexander (14) lines up for a play during the game between the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators on November 16, 2024 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'1"
WEIGHT: 187
HAND: 9¼”
ARM: 31"
WINGSPAN: 77½”
40-YARD DASH: 4.56
VERTICAL: 31.5"
BROAD: 9'8"
POSITIVES
— Great length and size. Uses his length to control receivers in press and as he works down the field. Also uses his length well when taking on blockers.
— Quickly sinks his hips to transition and match routes, even from full speed.
— Shows good physicality in the run game. Secure tackler who comes up quickly to support the run and cuts out the legs of ball-carriers.
— Great ball skills, locks in on the ball and attacks it at the high point. Shows very good timing and awareness when shooting his hand to break up passes.
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NEGATIVES
— Inconsistent hand usage in press, giving a free release at times and allowing faster receivers a step. Was surprised by more explosive athletes, especially against Alabama's receiving group.
— Can fight against his pad level when breaking, allowing extra steps out of transitions.
2024 STATISTICS
—
NOTES
— Games Started: 46
— Unrated recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports
— 2024: Suffered a concussion against UCLA which kept him out of week 5 against South Alabama
— 2023: Transferred from Southeastern Louisiana; 2023: Suffered an ACL injury against Army
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— 2022: First Team All-Southland
— 2021: First Team All-Southland
OVERALL
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Zy Alexander is a lengthy and physical cornerback prospect from LSU, standing out with his 6'2" frame and impressive ball skills. Transferring from Southeastern Louisiana, Alexander made a smooth transition to a higher level of competition, showcasing his ability to handle press-man coverage and contribute in the run game. His combination of size, athleticism, and physicality makes him a compelling option for NFL teams looking for an outside corner with the tools to develop into a starter.
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In coverage, Alexander's length and athleticism shine. He excels in press coverage, using his size to disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage and maintain positioning downfield. His ability to sink his hips and transition smoothly allows him to stay in phase with receivers, even at full speed. Alexander's ball skills are among his standout traits; he times his break-up well, attacking the ball at its highest point and breaking up passes effectively. However, against more explosive and faster receivers—such as those from Alabama—he can struggle to recover when out of phase. Additionally, inconsistent hand usage in press and occasional lapses in pad level during transitions can lead to extra separation on shorter routes.
Alexander is an aggressive and willing participant in the run game. He demonstrates excellent physicality when taking on blockers, using his length and strength to disrupt and disengage. As a tackler, Alexander is secure and efficient, often targeting ball carriers' legs and ensuring they are brought down with minimal extra yardage. His ability to recognize run plays and trigger quickly helps him provide consistent support on the edge. Alexander in overall is an effective defender in the run showing his effort and reliability as areas of strength.
Zy Alexander projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to develop into a starting outside cornerback in multiple schemes. His size, length, and ability to blanket receivers downfield give him a high ceiling, particularly against larger wideouts. While his susceptibility to elite speed and some technical inconsistencies may sometimes show up. Alexander's competitive nature and ball skills make him a valuable addition to an NFL secondary. With refinement and experience, he has the tools to become a reliable starter at the next level.
Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.
Miles Frazier NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for LSU IOL
Dec 18, 2024
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 12: Miles Frazier #70 of the LSU Tigers plays against the Ole Miss Rebels during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'5"
WEIGHT: 325
HAND: 9"
ARM: 32¾"
WINGSPAN: 81¼"
40-YARD DASH: 5.24
3-CONE: NA
SHUTTLE: NA
VERTICAL: 31"
BROAD: 9'0"
POSITIVES
— Wide-bodied frame with a thick, dense build, long limbs and good play strength.
— Does a good job covering up his target and securing rush lanes on pulls, combos and double-teams en route to the second-level.
— Times the snap well to pop out of his stance, get to his spot quickly in pass protection and put himself in position to establish first meaningful contact.
— Flashes effective independent hands to harden his edges against counter moves and buy himself some time to regain position and widen the edge.
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— Has the mass, girth and upper-body strength to grind down the bull-rush and penetrators from stunts
NEGATIVES
— Below average quickness, agility and burst.
— Will get caught leaning and overextended when the picture changes post-snap on slants, gap exchanges and quick moves across his face.
— Doesn't always bring his hands into contact leaving his chest exposed and easy access into his frame.
NOTES
— 3-star recruit from the 2020 class, per 247Sports
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— Originally committed to Florida International where he started 11 games over two seasons at left tackle before transferring to LSU prior to the 2022 season
— 49 career starts; 28 at right guard, 11 at left tackle, nine at left guard and one at right tackle
— Accepted his invite to the 2025 Senior Bowl
— Trained for the combine under Duke Manyweather at OL Masterminds in Texas
OVERALL
Miles Frazier is a four-year starter with at least one start at every position but center and the bulk of his time spent at guard. Frazier started 12 games in 2024 inside LSU's pass-first (60-40 pass-run split), multiple-run scheme. Frazier has a wide-bodied frame with good length, mass and girth throughout his build. He has adequate athletic ability and good play strength.
Frazier wins as a run blocker primarily on combo and double-team blocks, where he does a nice job being firm into contact to get defensive tackles covered up using his size, strength, and leg drive to displace, overtake, and seal before releasing to the second level. He takes solid angles on his climbs, but a minimal burst usually results in him initially making contact before gradually getting edged as the ball stretches or cuts back. Frazier is solid on angle-drive (down/pin/base) blocks given his size and strength to win the initial engagement, but without the presence of an adjacent blocker (combos/doubles) is more susceptible to the push-pull technique sapping his balance as well as getting his face crossed against gap exchanges and slants.
In pass protection Frazier provides a sturdy presence against the bull-rush and penetrators on stunts while providing quick help to his center and tackle on slide protections to keep adjacent gaps secure. Frazier shows good snap timing to pop out of his stance and get to his spot quickly, putting himself in position to establish the first meaningful contact. He is effective against 2i and tight 3-technique alignments but middling redirect skills will get exposed against wide-alignments in the NFL.
Overall, Frazier has below-average movement skills and erratic sustain skills but is a big, strong, experienced guard prospect with impressive proven versatility on his resume and the skills to carve out a role inside a downhill, vertical run scheme.
Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.
Brian Kelly Says He'll Match Up to $1M in NIL Donations with Gift to LSU Foundation
Dec 13, 2024
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Brian Kelly of the LSU Tigers reacts during the 1st half of a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
LSU head coach Brian Kelly is willing to part with his own money if it means a boost to the school's NIL efforts.
Nick Schultz of On3 Sports reported that Kelly and his wife, Paqui, would match a donation of up to $1 million from fans towards the LSU NIL collective with a gift to the school's Tiger Athletic Foundation's AD's Excellence Fund.
This will occur through the "Kelly Family Million Dollar Match Fund" and fans will have between Dec. 13 to Feb. 5, 2025 to donate to the NIL collective.
Kelly spoke about the current efforts the school has toward NIL funding and that he is "committed" to doing everything he can to make the program a National Championship contender.
"LSU has a long and proud tradition of being one of the elite programs in college football," Kelly said, per Michael Bonnette of LSUSports.com. "In order to remain among the nation's elite in this new world of college athletics, we have to be competitive in all areas of our program. I am committed to doing all that we can to win championships at LSU.
Kelly's salary for 2024 was $9.9 million and he is in the third year of a 10-year contract. His potential donation would not decimate his bank account but still shows his desire to keep LSU at the top of the nation and help them contend for top recruits.
The Tigers went 8-4 in 2024 with a 5-3 record within the SEC. Kelly's overall record at the school is 28-11 and the program has been in the hunt for the College Football Playoff but have not qualified during his time with the program.
LSU also lost the recruiting battle for five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who flipped his commitment to Michigan after the Wolverines made a substantial NIL offer that exceeded LSU's.
While Kelly's donation will not go into the NIL fund, his commitment to match the fans clearly shows his desire to remain a top option for recruits.
Video: Garrett Nussmeier Will Return to Brian Kelly, LSU; QB to Forego 2025 NFL Draft
Dec 11, 2024
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 30: Garrett Nussmeier #13 of the LSU Tigers throws the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during a game at Tiger Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
LSU head coach Brian Kelly knows who will be under center for his team during the 2025 season.
"I feel like my time at LSU is not over," quarterback Garrett Nussmeier announced Wednesday. "I'm officially announcing that I'm returning for my final year of eligibility, and I am fully committed to bringing this university a championship. My teammates, coaches and fans will get the absolute best out of me every single day."
This decision is surely a welcome one for the Tigers and will allow Nussmeier to improve his NFL stock before the 2026 draft.
After all, B/R's NFL Scouting Department did not rank him in the top 100 overall players or top eight quarterbacks in its most recent big board of prospects for the 2025 NFL draft.
In the modern-day world of college football with the transfer portal and NIL opportunities, it feels somewhat rare to see a quarterback stick with one program for so long. But Nussmeier arrived at LSU as a 4-star prospect in the recruiting class of 2021, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and is staying put for another season.
While he sat behind Heisman winner Jayden Daniels during the 2023 campaign, Nussmeier earned the starting role heading into the 2024 season.
He completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 3,739 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 games while leading the Tigers to an 8-4 record that included victories over South Carolina and Ole Miss.
Nussmeier dealt with some turnover issues, including when he threw for a combined four touchdowns to five interceptions during three straight losses to Texas A&M, Alabama and Florida, and whether he can avoid those troubles next year could determine LSU's ceiling in the SEC.
Still, he will provide a veteran presence for the Tigers as they look to compete for a conference crown and spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field.
And then the 2026 NFL draft may be waiting after that.
LSU OL Will Campbell Declares for 2025 NFL Draft; B/R's No. 7 Overall Prospect
Dec 3, 2024
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: Will Campbell #66 of the LSU Tigers blocks during the 1st half of a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
LSU star left tackle and potential top-ten pick Will Campbell has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Campbell announced on Tuesday that he would forgo his final year of college eligibility in order to enter the draft next spring.
Campbell was a three-year starter with the Tigers. He is listed as the No. 7 overall prospect in Bleacher Report's latest 2025 NFL Draft Big Board.
Campbell became an LSU star at left tackle, but B/R NFL scout Brandon Thorn called him "a prime candidate to move inside as a pro."
"He has the makeup, movement skills, play strength, and competitive toughness to make a smooth transition to guard or center and be an impact starter with Pro Bowl potential during his rookie contract," Thorn wrote.
Texas star Kelvin Banks is another candidate to be the first offensive tackle to be taken off the board in April, although his candidacy could be impacted by the ankle injury he suffered on Saturday against Texas A&M.
Campbell became the first offensive lineman to earn LSU's No. 7 jersey as to the team's best playmaker in 2023. He wore the number as a patch during his sophomore and junior seasons.
He served as a key protector of former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels during the Washington Commander rookie's run to the 2023 Heisman Trophy.
LSU will be challenged to find a replacement at left tackle next season while preparing for other key players to potentially enter the draft. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who stepped in for Daniels this season, has yet to make a decision regarding his potential return to the Tigers.
It is not yet clear if Campbell or Nussmeier will play for the Tigers in LSU's upcoming bowl game. Should they sit out the game, the details of which will be released on Sunday, their final game with the Tigers would be Saturday's 37-17 home win over Oklahoma.
Video: LSU's Brian Kelly Guarantees CFP Championship Game, 'We're Taking Receipts'
Dec 1, 2024
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 16: LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on before the game between the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators on November 16, 2024 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Even though LSU won't be making a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, head coach Brian Kelly is confident in the future of his team.
"Whatever camp you want to jump into, go right ahead," Kelly told reporters. "We had five freshmen and two sophomores on defense today, playing their tails off. We're taking receipts and we'll see you at the national championship."
Brian Kelly is putting everyone on notice in his LSU postgame presser:
LSU took down Oklahoma by the final score of 37-17 on Saturday, finishing the regular season with a record of 8-4.
The Tigers closed out the year with a two-game win streak, but the finish still represented a step down compared to the 10-win seasons that the team experienced in Kelly's first two years with the school.
With the playoff format expanding to 12 teams in 2024, LSU was expected to contend for a berth. Kelly's team appeared to be on track towards reaching that goal, winning six of seven games to open the year and sitting at No. 8 in the Week 9 Associated Press Top 25 poll.
The Tigers also held the No. 15 spot in the first CFP rankings of the year.
LSU wasn't able to maintain the momentum following its strong start, losing three consecutive games to extinguish the team's CFP chances.
Kelly had big shoes to fill, taking over the program following the departure of former head coach Ed Orgeron in 2021. While LSU struggled during Orgeron's final two years at the school, he also oversaw the team's last national title with the Tigers' undefeated 2019 campaign.
The future is still bright for Kelly's team, owning the No. 6 2025 recruiting class in the country (via 247Sports' rankings). 2024 starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is eligible for the NFL draft, but he could also choose to return to the school for his senior season.
After a disappointing year ended on a high note against the Sooners, Kelly already had his sights set on a national championship in 2025.
Photo: Brian Kelly's LSU Unveils New Gold Jersey for Vanderbilt Game
Nov 18, 2024
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 16: LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on before the game between the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators on November 16, 2024 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Amid its three-game losing streak, LSU provided fans with a reason for excitement on Monday.
The Tigers unveiled their new gold jersey that will be worn on Saturday as they try to end their skid when they host Vanderbilt in a prime-time matchup.
LSU fell out of the AP Top 25 after its 27-16 loss to Florida that dropped its record to 6-3, but it remained in the second edition of the College Football Playoff Rankings, dropping seven spots to No. 22.
The loss to the Gators was particularly demoralizing for the Tigers, as head coach Brian Kelly was involved in multiple back-and-forths with players that were caught on camera. He was initially seen yelling at a player, and he was later seen getting yelled at by another.
"This is a simple exercise of do you want to fight or not?" Kelly said after the game. "Do you want to fight and take responsibility as coaches and players that we're not playing well and we're struggling right now? There's a rough spot here that we have to fight through, and we have to do it together."
The loss to Florida guarantees Kelly won't lead his team to a 10-win season for the first time in eight years. He had reached the mark in his last five seasons as Notre Dame head coach followed by back-to-back 10-win seasons in his first two years at LSU.
The Tigers will be surely motivated to end their skid when they meet the 6-4 Commodores on Saturday, and their new jerseys should fuel them even more.
Brian Kelly Challenges LSU Players After Florida Loss: 'Do You Want to Fight or Not?'
Nov 17, 2024
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 16: LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on before the game between the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators on November 16, 2024 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LSU Tigers coach Brian Kelly asked his team (5:30 mark), "Do you want to fight or not?" following the team's 27-16 loss to the Florida Gators on Saturday.
The Tigers are currently on a three-game losing streak, having previously fallen to Texas A&M and suffering a blowout loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, 42-13, last weekend.
Dropping to 6-4 on the season and sitting eighth in the SEC, Kelly has expressed frustration with the team's inability to bounce back this season.
"Do you want to fight and take responsibility as coaches and players that we're not playing well and we're struggling right now?" Kelly continued. "It's life, it's a myriad of things but it's a reflection of what life is about; There's a rough spot here that we have to fight through."
In LSU's loss to the Gators, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier completed 27-of-47 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown, while being sacked seven times for a total loss of 53 yards.
While Kelly did not name specific players lacking the drive to improve, he subtly indicated some players he may have concerns with.
"If you're not a thumb pointer, if you're not somebody saying I'm going to work and continue to work and be better, then we don't have a place for you in the last couple of weeks," Kelly said. "If you want to fight and you want to keep working to get better, then we're going to be alongside of you."
In his third year with LSU, Kelly has led the team to a 26-10 record and two bowl game victories in 2022 and 2023.
If the No. 22-ranked Tigers hope to make a strong close-out run, they must capitalize on their last two games, both of which will be played at Tiger Stadium.
"At the end of the day it's about overcoming adversity and fighting through these last two games that are at home, that we desperately want to win," Kelly said.
LSU will start its final push next Saturday against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
