LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier Opens Up On 2024 Goals, New-Look Program

The torch has been passed. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is the leader of the Bayou Bengals as they navigate a new chapter of LSU football.

With Heisman winning signal-caller Jayden Daniels headed pro, Nussmeier is the new leader of this program and he is more than ready to leave his legacy.

Nussmeier caught up with reporters on Wednesday to discuss the "new-look" offense, goals for this season and what he hopes to get out of this season.

The main message: 10 wins isn't good enough. 

Here's what LSU's QB1 said on Wednesday:

The Running Ability

“One of his premier abilities was his ability to run. I think my play style is that I will run when I need to run. I don’t buy into the hype of whether or not I’m athletic. My goal is to do what I’m supposed to do and when that’s run, I’ll show it."

“Having some sort of running ability to keep the defense honest is important. I haven’t had a chance to showcase that or do that yet, but it’ll come. Everybody knows that’s not my playstyle to be running 50 percent of the time, but it’s important to run 15 percent of the time, or at least when things aren’t good or on third downs when you need to get first downs with your feet. I know that and when it’s there I’ll take it. My focus is not to show everybody how athletic I am, I don’t buy into that. I’m just focused on doing things the right way and when it’s my time to run I’ll do it.”

Remaining Level-Headed, Leading This Program

“I wouldn’t say my mindset has changed, I think I’ve just tried to do my job and do what I’ve always been taught. As far as leadership goes, that’s something that has come naturally. I think the team has done an amazing job of buying in. I’m not sitting here saying we have to win a national championship or we bust. What I’m saying is we have to build a championship culture and the thought of 10 wins isn’t enough.

New-Look Offense, Different Coordinators

“There is a lot of new things in our offense, a different style at quarterback, a different offensive coordinator but I think who we are as an offense won’t change that much. LSU has always been an explosive offense. I don’t think there are many other schools that have had better receivers than we have. I think our chemistry has been really good, we’ve looked really explosive and those guys are working.

"These are guys that I’ve been playing with for a while and I have a really good relationship with coach Sloan the offensive coordinator. There’s a lot of comfort there. I’m eager for it to be fall but at the same time I’m worried about what we got going on right now.”

Player-Led Program 

“It’s not about me taking over. I don’t look at it like that. I’ve been a starting quarterback all my whole life and know what that role looks like. It’s about us. What should our offense be doing? Throwing three times a week, watching film, talking to the o-line and making sure we’re all on the same page and it all starts with relationships. I feel like we have a close knit group this year so it comes pretty easy to us."

Different Identity, Same Approach

“I just hope we continue to go on the path that we’re on. We’ve grown so much from year one to year three under coach Kelly, not just the system on the field but off the field. What I’m excited to see is guys have stepped up and guys are following. I want to see the results of a different identity of a team that is more bought into what we preached."