LSU's Kyren Lacy, Garrett Nussmeier on Maxwell Award Watch List
Entering the 2024 season, expectations are high for this LSU offense even after losing three first round picks from last year’s team. With a few upperclassmen ready to take the reigns and step into the spotlight, Brian Kelly’s team is back with another group of talented skill position players.
On Monday afternoon, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and wide receiver Kyren Lacy have been named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, the Maxwell Football Club.
The Maxwell Award, now in its 88th year, is presented annually to the outstanding player in college football. Joe Burrow is LSU’s only Maxwell Award winner, earning the honor in 2019. Last year, Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels was one of three finalists for the award.
The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.
Nussmeier and Lacy are among 80 players – 15 representing SEC teams – on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award.
Nussmeier enters his first season as LSU’s starting quarterback, taking over for Daniels who was selected No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In his lone LSU start, Nussmeier led the Tigers on a late fourth quarter touchdown drive to beat Wisconsin, 35-31, in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl. Nussmeier threw for 395 yards and three TDs on his way to earning game MVP honors in the win over Wisconsin.
His 31 completions and 395 passing yards against Wisconsin rank as the most in LSU history for a quarterback making his first start.
“He’s been amazing and amazing in the sense of watching a player go from the No. 2 quarterback to the No. 1 quarterback,” Kelly said, “I’ll give you this analogy: When you’re the No. 2, it’s not your car, so you’re a little reckless with it. You’re OK if its dented or if you run it off the road. That was him maybe getting a little careless. Now, it’s his car and you can see the way he’s driving, he’s very very proud of this car. The way he does things every day, you can see that leadership coming together as the starting quarterback and it’s really fun to watch.”
Lacy enters his third season with the Tiges in 2024 and figures to be the top receiving target for Nussmeier. Last year playing alongside first round NFL Draft picks in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, Lacy caught 30 passes for 558 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Maxwell Award is the first preseason watch list to be released for the 2024 season.
