How Garrett Nussmeier, Jayden Daniels impacted LSU's outlook at Manning Passing Academy

Having two starting-caliber quarterbacks atop the depth chart qualifies as a good problem for LSU heading into the 2023 season. With returning starter Jayden Daniels projected to play one more year before handing the reins to Garrett Nussmeier, the outlook is strong in Baton Rouge.

And the pair of performances that Daniels and Nussmeier put in at the Manning Passing Academy last weekend are cause for even more confidence in LSU. On3’s J.D. PicKell broke down how it can all play out for LSU — starting with the potential for a big year from Daniels in 2023.

“Jayden Daniels, talking about what he did at the Manning Passing Academy, going into it the conversation was he wants to work on his deep ball, it’s one of the things he’s really trying to hone in on this offseason,” PicKell said. “And the reports are out of the camp that he was among the most accurate when it came to his vertical game. That he was slinging the rock. So, if that ends up trending into the season and he is accurate vertically, if he can unhitch the wagon that changes the entire way you’ve gotta play LSU defensively.”

PicKell noted that LSU is going to put a premium on running the ball, both with Daniels and their cadre of talented running backs.

The combo of a punishing running attack and an accurate downfield passing offense could make the Tigers one of the most dangerous offenses in 2023.

“Tell you what now, LSU’s going to be a scary sight for a lot of these opposing defenses,” PicKell said. “So, how much stock do you put in the Manning Passing Academy and the report you’re hearing, I think you should take some but this is a positive — this is positive intel, rather, with Jayden Daniels and what we saw from him at the Manning Passing Academy.”

As for Nussmeier, his immediate value is that were Daniels to get injured, LSU’s offense can more or less pick up where it left off. The complexion of the offense and play calling for Nussmeier would surely be slightly different from what gets dialed up for Daniels, but he gives LSU the ability to be just as potent.

And the reports from the Manning Passing Academy are that Nussmeier is keeping on the upward trajectory. If it all goes as expected, he’ll be in position to star for the Tigers heading into 2024.

“Because his decision to stay at LSU could be enormously impactful for him when he does end up starting. When he does get his chance to run the team. Because a lot of schools would have given a left arm and a special teams unit to have him on their roster. To have him transfer over,” PicKell said. “But if he takes this time seriously and is able to continue to develop, continue to mature, continue to work that intermediate game. We all know he can sling it deep. We all know he wants to sling it deep.

“If he continues to develop and is even a better version from what we’ve seen from him before when he comes to, I guess, 2024, LSU’s going to be in good shape to keep this thing rolling.”