Garrett Nussmeier knows he can help LSU's run game in 2024

Garrett Nussmeier knows he’s not Jayden Daniels. He knows people think he’s slow. He knows he’s seen as strictly a pocket passer. LSU’s quarterback remembers saying in an interview before the bowl season that he ran 21.3 miles per hour, then going to check his phone a while later.

“I saw on Twitter [people] saying ‘he’s lying, he’s lying’,” Nussmeier remembers with a laugh. “I guess everyone is worried about my athletic ability.”

Nussmeier’s speed has been mentioned by several of his teammates who vouch that he surpasses 20 miles per hours regularly. Of course, Jayden Daniels, last year’s Heisman winner, had another gear and paired that with his unparalleled elusivity — but Nussmeier has some get up to his game as well.

More importantly, he knows it’s an important asset for this offense in 2024 as he takes the helm.

“Having some sort of running ability to keep the defense honest is important,” Nussmeier said. “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.”

It’s the latest question for Nussmeier, who is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC, even with only one career start under his belt. There’s some trepidation from the fanbase about building a run game around Nussmeier after back-to-back years with Daniels leading the way with his legs.

Clearly, the run game will change, but for Nussmeier he’s just going to play his role and let the coaching staff dictate how the run game evolves in 2024.

“Jayden and I are different football players,” Nussmeier said. “One of his premier abilities was his ability to run. I’ll run when I need to run, but my goal is not to show everyone how fast I am. When I’m supposed to take off I’ll take off, but if not, I’m going to find the open guy and deliver the football. We have to have a good run game. It’s important in the SEC at this high level and coach Sloan has done an amazing job with coach Davis and coach Frank. We’re going to be dominant in the run game.”

Nussmeier spearheads a new-look offensive attack for the Tigers this year and the spring season has brought the beginning of a philosophical shift from the Jayden Daniel, Brian Thomas, and Malike Nabers team from 2023. Now, the emphasis is on the offensive line and tight ends to pull even more weight and new offensive coordinators Cortez Hankton and Joe Sloan have begun implementing those changes.

The development of the run blocking and run schemes will be one of the more intriguing aspects of spring camp to watch as it could determine this offense’s ability to be balanced in the fall.

“We know teams are going to try to lead the box since we don’t have Jayden Daniels back there anymore,” junior tight end Mason Taylor said. “We’re going to use more 12 personnel and the tight ends are going to have a lot on our plate and we’re ready for it.”