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LSU, Garrett Nussmeier put in difficult spot for bowl game after Max Johnson’s decision
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
The announcement on Tuesday by LSU quarterback Max Johnson that he will enter the transfer portal makes for an interesting situation behind center for the Tigers as they face Kansas State in the Texas Bowl on Jan. 4.
As 247Sports’ Shea Dixon notes, the only remaining scholarship quarterback on the Tigers’ roster right now is Garrett Nussmeier, with Myles Brennan in November announcing his own plans to enter the portal. As Nussmeier has played in 4 games this season against McNeese, Central Michigan, Ole Miss, and Arkansas, the true freshman will no longer qualify for a redshirt when he takes the field in the bowl game.
With Max Johnson entering the portal, #LSU has one scholarship QB on roster for the bowl game in Garrett Nussmeier.
Nussmeier will have to burn his redshirt to make the start in the Texas Bowl…
— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) December 8, 2021
That means a walk-on will be behind Nussmeier on the depth chart, whether it’s Tavion Faulk—nephew of program great and Tigers running backs coach Kevin Faulk—or Matt O’Dowd. So that’s extra pressure for the Tigers’ offensive line, which itself has been banged up, to keep Nussmeier healthy.
As for Nussmeier, he’s completed 29 of his 57 passes for 329 yards, throwing a pair of touchdowns and interceptions during his time on the field.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
