LSU's Garrett Nussmeier excited to watch SEC rival QB play in 2025

LSU's Garrett Nussmeier is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the country in 2025. He's a veteran quarterback in LSU's system and started all 14 games for the Tigers last season. The super senior from Lake Charles, Louisiana, threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions last season while also rushing for three touchdowns.

His experience against SEC competition is expected to be a bonus for him as the Tigers head into 2025. Speaking of the SEC, at SEC Media Days, the veteran college quarterback revealed that he's actually very excited to watch one of his rivals in the conference this season.

That would be none other than Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who is heading into his first year as the starter in Austin after backing up Quinn Ewers for two seasons.

Nussmeier sees a bit of himself in Manning's journey. The two quarterbacks also seem to have a relationship.

“I love Arch. He’s a great dude and a great player. I’m really excited for him. He kinda went through a similar experience that I had to go through in waiting for your time and waiting for your opportunity," Nussmeier said at SEC Media Days, according to Daniel Hager of On3. "He’s very prepared and obviously he comes from a prestigious family who understands the game very well more than most. Obviously. But I’m very excited for him. I think he’s going to do very well. His mindset is great and he doesn’t feel like he’s earned anything although I believe he already has because of the player he is. I’m excited for him to go prove it and I’m really rooting for him.”

As a backup, Nussmeier learned behind Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in 2023. Ewers didn't play quite at the level of Daniels while at Texas, but Manning still "apprenticed" behind one of the better quarterbacks in college football for two seasons.

What Manning has that Nussmeier didn't have is, of course, the famous last night and quarterback heritage. Though it is interesting to note that his father is Doug Nussmeier, a former NFL quarterback and the current offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints.

So in reality, there are a ton of similarities between Nussmeier and Manning. It will be interesting to see how each of their respective seasons goes in 2025. Notably, if they were to meet up on the field, it would have to be in the SEC Championship game or the College Football Playoff.