Quarterback is the most important position in all of football, arguably in all sports. Having one elite signal-caller can elevate a good team into a championship contender. Having a full room of high-upside passers? That’s a rare luxury—and one that LSU now holds.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently released its ranking of the top quarterback rooms in college football for the 2025 season, and at the very top of the list sits the LSU Tigers. According to PFF’s breakdown, LSU boasts one of the best starting quarterbacks in the country, Garrett Nussmeier, and one of the deepest and most talented supporting casts behind him.
The designation reflects LSU’s talent acquisition under Brian Kelly and the stability and strategic vision the program has brought to one of the most volatile positions in college football.
Garrett Nussmeier: The Heisman Hopeful
The Tigers’ leader is at the center of PFF’s evaluation. Garrett Nussmeier has already been labeled a top-five quarterback nationally and is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate heading into the 2025 campaign.
After patiently sitting behind Jayden Daniels, Nussmeier exploded onto the scene last season, finishing with 4,052 passing yards—fifth-most in the country—and tying for seventh in big-time throws (26). He showed poise, pocket presence, and a confident command of LSU’s offense, traits vital in Brian Kelly’s system.
His arm talent has never been in question. What set Nussmeier apart in 2024 was his decision-making and ability to manage high-pressure moments. Against top-tier SEC defenses, he maintained efficiency and explosive potential. If he builds on that campaign, LSU won’t just be in the College Football Playoff conversation; they could be leading it.
Depth That Rivals Any Team in the Nation
What truly sets LSU apart—and what PFF highlights—is what lies behind Nussmeier on the depth chart. The most immediate name is Michael Van Buren Jr., a transfer from Mississippi State. As a true freshman in 2024, Van Buren started eight games, including tough road matchups at Texas and Georgia. He posted a 79.0 passing grade in those games with five big-time throws and no turnover-worthy plays.
For a freshman facing elite SEC competition, those are impressive numbers. Van Buren offers dual-threat capability, poise, and upside, making him one of the most valuable backup quarterbacks in the country. If Nussmeier were to miss time for any reason, LSU’s offense wouldn’t skip a beat.
Behind Van Buren, the Tigers boast even more firepower. Ju’Juan Johnson, a former four-star recruit now in his sophomore year, is known for his athleticism and high school production as a dual-threat phenom. Then there’s Colin Hurley, a redshirt freshman who also arrived as a highly regarded four-star and has impressed the coaching staff with his development and maturity.
Few national teams can boast this depth and high-level pedigree across the quarterback room. It’s a room built not just for the present, but for the future.
Built for Stability in an Unstable Era
In the transfer portal era, it’s difficult to keep even one quality backup on the roster, let alone three. But LSU has done it. Credit goes to Brian Kelly and his staff for cultivating an environment where quarterbacks commit, stay, and develop.
That’s no easy feat in today’s college football landscape. Players are more mobile than ever, and starting opportunities elsewhere are only a click away. For LSU to maintain this quarterback depth speaks volumes about its culture, player relationships, and forward-thinking development model.
It also reflects Kelly’s commitment to consistency at the most critical position. LSU has recruited quarterbacks with varied skill sets—pocket passers, dual-threat athletes, and multi-year starters—ensuring that they are never boxed into one style of play. This adaptability will serve the Tigers well as they prepare for a potential transition into an expanded 16-team College Football Playoff in 2026.
What This Means for the 2025 Season
With Nussmeier at the helm and a top-tier room behind him, LSU enters 2025 with perhaps the best quarterback situation in the country. In a league as cutthroat as the SEC—especially with Texas and Oklahoma now added to the mix—that edge could be the difference in winning close games and finishing at the top of the standings.
Additionally, the Tigers have restocked their roster with key transfer additions across the board, particularly at wide receiver and defense. With a more balanced team and improved protection up front, Nussmeier should have the support he needs to operate efficiently.
The Heisman buzz, the CFP chatter, and now the PFF No. 1 ranking have all placed a target on LSU’s back. But if the quarterback room lives up to its billing, they’ll have the firepower to meet those expectations head-on.
LSU hasn’t been shy about its goals since Brian Kelly took over. The Tigers want to win championships—national ones. They’ve recruited and built a program with that intention. The quarterback room, long considered the final piece to the puzzle, is now perhaps the most complete part of the roster.
Nussmeier brings the star power. Van Buren brings the security. Johnson and Hurley bring the future. Together, they form a quarterback group that doesn’t just give LSU confidence—it gives them a championship-caliber edge.
If PFF is right—and all signs point that way—the road to the CFP in 2025 may very well go through Baton Rouge.
