Weighing expectations for LSU offense in 2024 without Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels was always a solid option for LSU’s offense but put the Tigers into the stratosphere last season.

So what about the 2024 edition with Garrett Nussmeier under center this time? On3’s J.D. PicKell said fans will have to manage those expectations at first.

However, that doesn’t mean LSU’s offense can’t be pretty darn explosive this coming fall with a new quarterback.

“I think it will still be very potent,” PicKell said on Andy Staples On3. “I don’t think you’ll see this tremendous drop off from Jayden Daniels leaving …  but at the same time, I think we do probably have to temper expectations a little bit because I mean, the bar was set way up here with Jayden Daniels winning the Heisman trophy …

“We rewinded the tape back to last year, there was a lot of folks say like, we saw Garrett Nussmeier slinging around against Georgia, garbage time in the SEC title game like you know, he could throw the ball downfield and Jayden Daniels the narrative this time last year was ‘well he’s not wanting to push the ball down the field, are we going to be explosive offensively with him playing quarterback?’ 

“And then how quickly that whole narrative shifted. So the bottom line is Garrett Nussmeier can deal it and if he can make better decisions like we saw in that bowl game and be more controlled, they got some guys that can go catch the rock.”

LSU offense to be just as good in 2024?

It’s been limited action for Nussmeier in three seasons, but he’s waited for his turn. Last year, he was 48-of-78 passing for 591 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

In his career, Nussmeier has 1,720 yards, 11 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 58.9% completion percentage.

As a member of the Class of 2021, Nussmeier was a four-star recruit out of Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 15 overall prospect in the state, the No. 12 quarterback in the class and the No. 89 overall prospect in the class.

How will it look in 2024? Well that remains to be seen. Nussmeier won’t have weapons like Malik Nabers or Brian Thomas Jr. to throw to this fall.

But as PicKell alluded to CJ Daniels who came in from Liberty University. He could be the next breakout playmaker for LSU.

Spring practice is rapidly approaching!