LSU Football's Garrett Nussmeier vs. Arch Manning: CFB Analysts Make All-SEC QB Pick

The LSU Tigers continue working through a critical offseason in Baton Rouge with the program making significant changes to the 2025 roster.

From Brian Kelly reeling in the No. 1 Transfer Portal Class in America to a Top-10 2025 Signing Class, there will be a new-look group in the purple and gold.

But one position that will have a familiar face is at quarterback with Garrett Nussmeier returning for his fifth season of eligibility.

Nussmeier, the Bayou Bengals' starting signal-caller in 2024, will look to build off of a rollercoaster redshirt-junior campaign for the purple and gold with unfinished business for Kelly's program.

LSU's QB1 will look to develop this offseason after piecing together a 2024 campaign where he totaled 4,052 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 13 games played.

"When he's on, Garrett Nussmeier has No. 1 overall pick potential. When he's off, the quarterback who once backed up Jayden Daniels can get in his head a bit leading to mistakes," 247Sports said. "Consistency trumps all with Nussmeier, who was elite in the fourth quarter in wins over Ole Miss and South Carolina, but struggled during losses to Alabama and Texas A&M.

"Brian Kelly and LSU quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan hopes he's Heisman-level in 2025 and the Tigers have done all they can to ensure his weaponry is top-end around him. Three portal wideouts should help."

Now, the preseason predictions are rolling in with college analysts across America comparing and contrasting Nussmeier to another Southeastern Conference signal-caller: Arch Manning.

The Texas Longhorns quarterback enters the 2025 season with significant hype as he gears up for his first season at the helm of the offense in Austin.

Manning and Nussmeier are two signal-callers atop the 2025 "Way-Too-Early" Heisman Watch, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

The Early 2025 Heisman Trophy Odds [FanDuel Sportsbook]:

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier +800
Texas QB Arch Manning +900
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik +1000
Oregon QB Dante Moore +1200
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith +1200
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava +1400
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers +1800
Penn State QB Drew Allar +1800
Ohio State QB Julian Sayin +1800
Miami QB Carson Beck +2000

But when it comes to which quarterback could earn First-Team All-SEC in 2025, it's a split decision between a pair of college football analysts.

What do ESPN's Pete Thamel and Rece Davis believe?

The two dove into it on "The College GameDay Pod" last week.

Pete Thamel's Pick: Garrett Nussmeier

“I’ll take Garrett Nussmeier as my First-Team All-SEC quarterback here Valentine’s Day week. No problem there. On it,” Thamel confidently said.

Who will be the first-team All-SEC QB in 2025? ⁦@ReceDavis⁩ likes Arch Manning. I’m taking Garrett Nussmeier. Fun debate on ⁦@CollegeGameDay⁩ pod. We also dive in on No. 1 vs No. 2 in SEC hoops this weekend. https://t.co/fkFIc4T1vC pic.twitter.com/xOoK85FWu6
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 13, 2025

Rece Davis' Pick: Arch Manning

“I might lean Arch, though,” Davis said. “With the Sark numbers. Nussmeier, I think, is as good as anybody in the country. His arm talent is ridiculous. The throws are great. I guess what I’m saying is, I think Texas might be better than LSU next year, and that will help.

“That will help Arch, even if Nussmeier maybe puts up slightly better numbers if Texas wins more games. That might help,” Davis concluded.

Both quarterbacks enter the 2025 season with significant hype where all eyes will be on the National Championship contenders this fall.

For Nussmeier and the Tigers, LSU will hit the road for a Week 1 clash at Clemson to begin a critical 2025 season for the program in Baton Rouge.

More LSU News:

The Breakdown: LSU Football Holds No. 1 Recruiting Class in the SEC

LSU Football "Firmly in the Mix" for Coveted Oregon Ducks Quarterback Commitment

Three Observations From LSU Baseball's Opening Weekend Sweep

Join the Community:

Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.