All Aboard The Nuss Bus: Brian Kelly Ready for Garrett Nussmeier as LSU's QB1

The Nuss Bus has arrived as the redshirt sophomore dials in for his first college start, Brian Kelly eager to see his growth.

All eyes will be on LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier on Monday against Wisconsin as the redshirt sophomore prepares for his first collegiate start.

After sitting behind Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, it's all about Nussmeier moving forward as the Tigers' signal-caller.

For Brian Kelly, he's excited to see what his new QB1 has in his arsenal as he dials in for start No. 1.

Nussmeier has "the keys to the car" moving forward, but how will he seize his opportunity.

Kelly opened up on his quarterback and what he's seen over the last few weeks:

Nussmeier has the "keys to the car":

“He’s got the keys to the car going forward in ’24,” Kelly said. “The offense, he knows it well. He’ll be able to do the things that we need to do offensively, run it, throw it, do the things that are necessary to be a championship football team.”

Transition From QB2 to QB1:

“I think it’s different,” Kelly said of Nussmeier’s shift from QB2 to QB1. “Going from being the backup to the starter, everything is a little bit faster. I think there’s a little bit more of a need to communicate and take the reins.

“When you’re a backup, you can kind of muddle your way through it a little bit, fake your way through it. There’s no faking now. You’re running it.”

Nussmeier's Swagger:

“He walks around the building a little bit differently, there’s no doubt,” Kelly said. “But he hasn’t played. So the game is different than practice. He’s preparing. When it’s live, and Wisconsin’s got a great scheme, they do a lot of really good things defensively, and he’ll be challenged.

“He’s got a lot of pressure on him. But that’s why he’s here. He loves the bright lights. He kind of rises to that kind of occasion.”

The Addition of Vanderbilt Transfer AJ Swann:

“It’s very similar to last year where Jayden came back, but we gave Nuss a fair shot at competing for that starting position,” Kelly said. “Nuss pushed it, but Jayden was better.

“We’ll have the same situation where AJ will have a chance to take that job from him. It is not a closed position. We were transparent with him. Nuss knows that, too. We’re going to be honest and open about the competition. You don’t bring in a guy who started at Vanderbilt and say, ‘Listen, you’re coming in, but you have no chance.’ That doesn’t make any sense. Nuss knew that, too.”