Jayden Daniels breaks down his relationship with Garrett Nussmeier through QB battle

The quarterback situation at LSU has been an interesting one to follow this offseason. Tigers coach Brian Kelly said in January that Jayden Daniels is “clearly” the starter in 2023, but at the same time added the team will keep “an open process” and allow Garrett Nussmeier the chance to battle for the job.

Both players took first team reps this spring, and Kelly spoke last month on how Nussmeier has “pushed” Daniels. Still, based on Daniels’ comments at the Manning Passing Academy last week, it doesn’t seem there is any real threat of him losing his role as starter.

“Me and Nuss, we have a tight relationship,” Daniels said. “A lot of people might not really — from the outside, they might see it as a quarterback competition. We see it as we just want both of us to get better. He knows his role, I know my role. When his name and number is called, I know he’s prepared and ready because of the work he puts in day in and day out just to change his body and change his mentality.

“After this year, it’ll be his turn to go in there and light things up. I can’t wait to see that. I’m proud of him and how he’s handled things.”

That certainly doesn’t sound like a player who is worried about potentially being jumped on the depth chart. However, it’s still possible that Nussmeier may enter the game in certain situations while remaining the backup.

When Daniels went down with an injury in the SEC Championship Game in December, Nussmeier got his chance to show what he can do. He played the entire second half to finish 15-of-27 passing for 294 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against a tough Georgia defense, albeit with the game already out of reach.

That led to Kelly making the decision that Nussmeier and Daniels would split reps in the Citrus Bowl against Purdue. Daniels played the first two drives before Nussmeier entered on the third. The latter finished as the team’s leading passer with 173 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 11-of-15 passing.

Still, after throwing for 2,913 yards and 17 touchdowns to just three interceptions last year, Daniels remains the guy in 2023. But when he graduates next season, Nussmeier will be ready to take the reigns, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to have two capable quarterbacks heading into this year.

LSU will kick off this season in a little more than two months against Florida State on Sept. 3.