LSU football’s offense dealt with a lot of change in 2024. Brian Kelly was tasked with replacing Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels along with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, who took the same job at Notre Dame. Kelly didn’t look far to find replacements with Garrett Nussmeier sliding in at quarterback and Joe Sloan earning the promotion to OC.
There were growing pains, but LSU’s offense was a decent product in 2024. Kelly and company are hoping to see that progress carried into 2025.
LSU has Nussmeier back. It will be Nussmeier’s second year operating Sloan’s system. It will be Sloan’s fourth year coaching Nussmeier as his position coach. We should see a cleaner operation than what we saw in 2024.
That’s not to slight what LSU did last year, but the unit hit some snags. Poor performances against Florida and Alabama contributed to a three-game losing streak that killed the Tigers’ playoff hopes.
LSU feels good about where the offense is, but there are some questions. Here are five questions we have about the LSU offense entering 2025.
Does Garrett Nussmeier take a step forward?
Perhaps LSU’s biggest variable in 2025 is what it gets from Garrett Nussmeier. Few, if any, quarterbacks in college football have the same combo of talent and experience Nussmeier will have in 2025. He’s a former blue-chip recruit entering his fifth year of college football.
Nussmeier’s highlight reel is full of throws that caught the attention of NFL scouts. There was some talk about Nussmeier declaring for the draft this year, but he decided to come back. LSU will hope Nussmeier takes a fifth-year leap similar to Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow. Both Daniels and Burrow won the Heisman after returning for year five.
Those are lofty standards, but Nussmeier has the potential.
If Nussmeier lives up the the hype that has him atop the Heisman trophy odds, LSU will compete for a playoff spot and more.
How does LSU replace Will Campbell and Emery Jones?
The selling point for LSU’s offense entering 2024 was an experienced offensive line headlined by offensive tackles entering their third year as starters. Now, that experience is gone with Will Campbell and Emery Jones declaring for the draft. LSU will replace both tackles and both guards up front.
LSU offensive line coach Brad Davis is one of the top recruiters in the country and LSU has talent, but outside of DJ Chester, the Tigers have little returning experience.
We got a look at some young guys in the bowl game. Redshirt freshman Tyree Adams got the start at left tackle while Paul Mubenga, Coen Echols, and Bo Bordelon saw action. True freshman Weston Davis got spot work too.
In 2025, those guys will have a chance to compete for a starting spot, and LSU is relying on the young core to take a big step.
If Adams or Davis can become a productive player at tackle, along with either Chester or Mubenga emerging on the interior, LSU will be in good shape.
Does LSU’s run game return to form?
LSU’s run game disappointed in 2024. The Tigers owned the nation’s most efficient rushing attack in the country in 2023, but with Daniels and Denbrock gone, LSU struggled to replicate that success.
Last week, Kelly hired former Florida State offensive coordinator Alex Atkins as tight ends coach and run game coordinator. Atkins called some dynamic run games at FSU and Kelly is hoping Atkins brings the design to LSU.
True freshman running back Caden Durham enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, surpassing 1,000 yards of total offense. That’s a good piece to build the run game around.
An improved down field passing attack can help open rush lanes, too.
Despite the lack of experience on the offensive line, expect LSU to showcase an improved ground game in 2025.
What impact do transfers Barion Brown and Nic Anderson make at wide receiver?
LSU hit the transfer portal hard. According to 247Sports, LSU’s portal class is No. 1 in the nation. Two of LSU’s biggest additions were at wide receiver — Barion Brown and Nic Anderson.
Brown spent three years at Kentucky and Anderson spent three at Oklahoma.
Brown is one of the fastest players in the SEC and a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. He posted 122 catches for 1,528 yards in Lexington and holds the conference record for kick return touchdowns. LSU wants to be more explosive in 2025 and Brown should help accomplish that.
Anderson also has a chance to be a significant contributor. Injuries riddled his season in 2024, but he was one of the SEC’s premier touchdown threats in 2023.
Where does LSU play offensive line transfer Josh Thompson?
We talked about LSU’s lack of experience on the offensive line. The Tigers addressed that by adding Josh Thompson and Braelin Moore to the transfer portal. Moore, who comes from Virginia Tech, will take over at center.
Thompson’s spot is less clear. There’s no doubt about Thompson starting, but the question is where. He’s versatile and played guard and tackle in his time at Northwestern. With LSU needing help at tackle, the Tigers could slot Thompson at left or right tackle.
If a young blue-chip recruit emerges at tackle, LSU can slide Thompson to guard.
Thompson’s versatility could be key for a unit trying to find its way with new faces.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Five questions for LSU football’s offense entering 2025
