LSU has had quite a rocky road in the past couple seasons. The 2019 season feels like a distant memory at this point, and fans of the Tigers all around the country are wondering if they will ever reach that status again. 2024 brings a new season with many question marks for the Tigers and it all starts with the new face at QB, Garrett Nussmeier.
“Allow me to reintroduce myself”
Nussmeier, the redshirt junior, is technically LSU’s new starting quarterback, but he is not new to the team by any means. Nussmeier has been a tiger since the 2021-22 season, where he was thrown into 4 games with the qb carousel the Tigers had that year. He has appeared in 18 games total in his time with the Tigers while only starting 1 game. The past 2 seasons he sat behind Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, and Tiger fans hope that he can replicate some of the magic they are accustomed to from last season. His 1 and only start came in the Reliaquest bowl last season against Wisconsin, when Daniels sat out to prepare for the upcoming NFL draft. He went on the win the games MVP throwing for 395 yards along with 3 touchdowns. Tiger fans have a lot to be excited for after witnessing that performance, but they can only hope that he can keep that up for a full season.
Returning stars on offense
The Tiger offense is returning some massive key pieces from their #1 ranked offense of last season. Left tackle Will Campbell, the nations top ranked O-lineman will return to keep dominating opposing D-lines, along with Right tackle Emory Jones who also had a strong 2023 season. Losing 2 first-round talent receivers in Malik Nabers and Bryan Thomas Jr. does not help, but WR Karen Lacy will be returning after putting up 558 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. The Tigers also have a dynamic Running back duo returning in Josh Williams and John Emery Jr, who are both physical runners with the ability to juke defenders out of their shoes. Emery Jr. is the only remaining player from the 2019 national championship team, and he has dealt with numerous injuries over the last couple seasons. If he can stay healthy throughout this season, he could be a huge part in their potentially explosive offense.
Defense, Defense, Defense
LSU is one of the few teams in college football that have a real claim for the title of ‘DBU’, but since 2019, the tigers secondary has been abysmal. If last years team had even a top 80 defense, there was a real chance that they could be the defending national champs, but when your defense gave up an average of 537 yards a game, there’s no chance you are a national championship caliber team. This year’s defense has a chance to silence all the doubters, with the returning pair of stud linebackers, Harold Perkins Jr and Whit Weeks. Their secondary will also be getting a boost with the return of defensive backs coach Corey Raymond. Raymond was responsible for many of the Tigers great defenses over the past 10 years, but after leaving the tigers in 2021, the Tiger defense never felt the same. Defensive line was the one point in the Tiger defense that never dropped off, and they will be led this year by star DT Jacob Guillory.
So what can fans expect?
Brian Kelly and company will have a lot to prove this year after having a Heisman winning quarterback last year, but still finishing the season 10-3. Kelly is a proven head coach after his time at Notre Dame and his 2 successful seasons at LSU, but fans still have some doubts about this staff and roster he has built for the 2024 season. There are a lot of bright spots for this upcoming season, but still lots of questions to be answered. Will Nussmeier be the next Heisman winning quarterback from LSU? Will the Tiger defense return to glory? Only time will tell for this star-studded roster.
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