Garrett Nussmeier: Ready to do what it takes to be QB1
After a rollercoaster of a freshman year, Garrett Nussmeier has learned that the unexpected can happen at any time. He’s taking that wisdom and rolling it into a prime chance at starting quarterback this season. He’s gaining confidence and reps, and his mind is set on performing with excellence. He sat down with Jordy Culotta to discuss the changes he’s experienced and his preparation for the 2022 season.
As a quarterback at 6A high school in Texas, Nussmeier’s shift to college football went smoothly. He shares that his high school experience was such a “high level play that it’s almost like playing small level D1 football.” He acknowledges that the “workload” wasn’t a huge change going into LSU, but “playing in the SEC is a different animal for sure.” Although the level of competition has steeply intensified, Nussmeier has welcomed it and enjoyed it.
The workload may not have been a shock for Nussmeier, but the transition over the last year has involved massive changes. He puts it this way: “It was a heck of a first year. With the whole Coach O situation and all this stuff going on, the biggest lesson that I learned from it was you never know what's going to hit you.” Nussmeier views this lesson as “huge” for a freshman. He’s ready for anything. LSU is where he wants to be, and he confirms, “Louisiana is my home, and I want to do whatever it takes to be the guy here. I just put my head down and keep working.”
Brian Kelly becoming the head coach was a surprise for Nussmeier. He says he didn’t even know that was a possibility. However, Nussmeier knows Scott Woodward well. Their relationship goes back all the way to University of Washington where Woodward was DA and Nussmeier’s father was quarterback’s coach. He shares, “I knew Mr. Scott was going to get us the right guy. I felt good throughout the process. I’ve known him since I was a little kid, so I knew we were in good hands.”
Once the hire was announced, Nussmeier was excited. He praises Denbrock and Sloan, and all the guys Kelly has brought in. “Coach Kelly is awesome because he's so hands-on. If I throw a bad ball, it's not just Coach Sloan in my ear. Getting to learn from him and know what your head coach wants you to do is big. I have such a strong structure of what my head coach wants for me as a starting quarterback, and I think that's huge.” His relationship with all three coaches is going so well that he even likes to hang out with them in the offices.
The starting quarterback position is up for grabs, and the competition is fierce. For Nussmeier, it’s an opportunity to get better. He says that it’s been interesting getting all three guys reps. “When it’s your turn to go,” Nussmeier explains, “you can't worry about anything else. It doesn't matter what anybody else does, it matters what you do and how you play. The biggest part for me this spring was it's all internal. If you get lost looking around at what's going on and a great throw by Jayden or Myles, that doesn't do anything because it's all about what I am gonna do. I'll never root against any other quarterback in the room.” Nussmeier’s maturity shows in his attitude towards the quarterback position. When it comes down to it, “you have to focus on yourself” because all the talk about who’s starting “doesn't really matter if you're not playing the level to where you can be the guy.” Whoever is the guy this season will have the world on their shoulders. Nussmeier understands that “huge responsibility.”
Knowing the offense is key, and during the interview Nussmeier spouts off a play call. He then describes how the play calls have changed since last year. He says even though the play calls are longer, they make sense. “It’s just more individual, so put it all together. It looks longer and scary, but when you go through it, it's okay,” Nussmeier confirms. “It's easy. Everybody knows what they're doing because of the play call.” No matter what the play call is, Nussmeier also understands that SEC defenses are smart and “the game’s evolving every week.”
As Nussmeier’s knowledge of the game and his comfort in the pocket increases, he hopes the “gunslinger” moniker will be laid to rest. He thinks the reputation comes from the fact that he “likes to take a couple chances every now and then.” As he reflects on his freshman season, he remarks that maybe he “was looking for the deep ball too much.” When he plays this year, though, he hopes his intellectual acumen and competence at running the offense comes through, and the gunslinger mentality can be replaced with a “game manager mindset.”
From holding iPads on the Cowboys’ sideline to reviewing plays with the Quarterbacks Coach for the Cowboys, Nussmeier has an inside look at what’s required at the next level. His father, Doug Nussmeier, is the sounding board for Garrett when he needs to review concepts and reads. One thing that Garrett makes clear is that his dad emphasizes, “It doesn’t matter what I say, it matters what your coach is telling you to do.” The young quarterback says it’s cool to have another person to check with when he has questions, but that his dad doesn’t “get involved” with his son’s playing time. He leaves that to the coaches and his son’s performance.
Nussmeier’s performance this season will be greatly determined by his actions this off season. This summer has been about putting on weight, getting stronger, and slowing down the game by improving his process. Nussmeier’s goal is to be about 200 lbs starting the season, which he says “is very realistic” for him. One thing Coach Sloan is teaching him is to be more “process oriented” and less “results oriented.” Following through with a process mindset will lead to more consistent success in game time.
With the bountiful receiving corps LSU has, game time fireworks are promising. Nussmeier lights up talking about his receivers: “I mean, how can I complain? I can throw it up to Malik Nabers, to Jack Bech, to Brian Thomas, and Kayshon’s coming back. It’s pretty scary if you think about it, if we can have a quarterback playing at a high level, no matter who it is, with the weapons we have.” Nussmeier is feeling good about the receivers and offensive line, and he credits Offensive Line Coach Brad Davis with the improvement. The offense has all the potential to show out, and Nussmeier feels like the quarterbacks will use their feet and their arms as weapons.
Garrett Nussmeier is more prepared than last year, and he is even hungrier to take the lead. With a tumultuous year behind him, Nussmeier counts it all as meaningful experience that will propel him and the team towards success. He’s ready to do “whatever it takes” to be the guy.
Joy Holden
