LSU QB Nussmeier opens up on injury-plagued 2025 season

Nussmeier couldn't use his core, leading to a significant drop in production from his standout 2024 campaign.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:39pm

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Garrett Nussmeier, the former LSU quarterback, is opening up about his injury-plagued 2025 season that saw him miss several games due to an inability to properly use his core while throwing the ball. Nussmeier, who was among the Heisman favorites heading into the 2025 season, saw his production drop significantly from his standout 2024 campaign.

Why it matters

Nussmeier's struggles in 2025 were a disappointment for LSU fans who had high expectations for the talented quarterback. His inability to stay healthy and play at the same level as the previous season raises questions about his NFL draft prospects, as he looks to prove he can bounce back during Senior Bowl week.

The details

Nussmeier finished the 2025 season appearing in just 9 games, throwing for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. This was a significant drop-off from his 2024 season where he threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns. Nussmeier explained that he "couldn't use his core" while throwing the ball, forcing him to "go back from the ground up and retrain" himself to properly rotate through the ball.

  • Nussmeier entered the 2025 season as a Heisman favorite.
  • Nussmeier was benched in the 2nd half against Alabama on November 8.
  • Nussmeier missed LSU's final 3 regular season games and the Texas Bowl.
  • The Senior Bowl takes place on January 31, 2026.

The players

Garrett Nussmeier

The former LSU quarterback who is preparing for the Senior Bowl after an injury-plagued 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“I couldn't use my core. So, I was throwing the ball without a core. I've been having to go back from the ground up and retrain myself and get back to finishing throws and rotating through the ball. I'm actually using my core now. It's been nice. The ball is definitely coming out a lot different.”

— Garrett Nussmeier

What’s next

Nussmeier is preparing for the Senior Bowl on January 31, 2026, where he will look to show NFL organizations that he can bounce back from his injury-plagued 2025 season and regain the form he displayed in 2024.

The takeaway

Nussmeier's struggles in 2025 due to an inability to properly use his core while throwing the ball serve as a cautionary tale for college football players. Injuries can derail even the most promising seasons, and Nussmeier will need to prove he has fully recovered in order to boost his NFL draft stock during Senior Bowl week.