10 things we learned about LSU football in the 2024 season

When the 2024 LSU football season began, there was a lot we didn’t know. Every year begins with questions, but we entered 2024 with fewer answers than usual.

LSU was tasked with replacing a Heisman trophy-winning quarterback and two first-round wide receivers. On defense, LSU was hoping to recover after the 2023 unit was one of the worst in program history.

A lackluster transfer portal class meant LSU was counting on young players to lead the turnaround — not established veterans.

LSU had two new coordinators, too. Mike Denbrock took the OC job at Notre Dame after leading the most efficient attack in the country in 2023. On the other side, Brian Kelly moved to replace his entire defensive staff.

Despite all the changes and unknowns, LSU ranked No. 13 in the preseason poll. Kelly still had a talented roster, and the expanded playoff gave the Tigers a shot at the postseason.

LSU got off to a 6-1 start, but a three-game losing streak thwarted any playoff hopes.

We got answers to a lot of the questions we asked in August. Some good, some bad. Here are 10 things we learned about LSU football in 2024.

1. Garrett Nussmeier has star potential

Opinions differed on Garrett Nussmeier entering the year, but the prevailing thought was Nussmeier had the talent to be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC. He’s a former blue-chip recruit who waited his turn behind a Heisman winner and showed flashes of brilliance when he got the chance.

Nussmeier continued to flash that arm. He’s liable to make an NFL-level throw at any given moment. Look no further than the final seconds of regulation vs. Ole Miss, where Nussmeier put it on a thread to Aaron Anderson to force overtime.

It’s those moments that have NFL scouts buzzing about what Nussmeier can be next year. That’s why he’ll be a Heisman favorite.

Nussmeier was arguably the best QB in the SEC down the stretch. The expectation is the trend stretches into 2025.

2. But Nussmeier was inconsistent

While the moments of brilliance were there, Nussmeier was inconsistent. Nussmeier’s 12 interceptions were tied with Carson Beck for most in the SEC. For a large portion of the year, LSU lacked a downfield passing attack, too,

Part of that was on Nussmeier, but it was also LSU’s inability to run the ball. Defenses sat on the intermediate routes, taking away what Nussmeier does best.

Nussmeier struggled throughout LSU’s three-game losing streak that killed the Tigers’ playoff hopes. He threw some bad picks in the second half at Texas A&M before struggling to find rhythm against Alabama and Florida.

At times, Nussmeier looked like a quarterback starting for the first time because he was a quarterback starting for the first time. He wasn’t ready to be the guy that takes over games. In 2025, he might be.

3. LSU missed Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr.

There’s a narrative that LSU just pumps out receivers. No matter the year, the Tigers will have game-breakers on the perimeter. There’s some truth to that, but Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. were different.

Look what the two are doing in the NFL.

Nabers and Thomas were the most explosive receivers in the country in 2023. You don’t just replace that. In hindsight, LSU missed its two first-round receivers more than we thought.

Kyren Lacy is good, and he’ll be a professional, but he didn’t have the speed to take the top off a defense. Aaron Anderson enjoyed a breakout year, but he wasn’t the dynamic playmaker LSU needed on the outside yet.

With Anderson returning, along with the transfer additions of Nic Anderson and Barion Brown, LSU aims for better receiver play in 2025.

4. Blake Baker was worth it

After a 2023 campaign where LSU’s defense was among the worst in the country, Brian Kelly went and hired Blake Baker to take over the unit. LSU made Baker the highest-paid assistant coach in the country.

The results were immediate. LSU is far from a finished project on that side of the ball, but LSU jumped from 52nd to 33rd in ESPN’s SP+. A year after LSU ranked 82nd in the country in scoring defense, the 2024 Tigers sit 59th.

Development was better across the board, with LSU getting breakout seasons from CB Zy Alexander, DE Bradyn Swinson, and LB Whit Weeks.

Baker played an aggressive style of defense that put LSU near the top in sack rate. The Tigers will look to build on that in 2025.

5. Bo Davis was too

Baker wasn’t the only splash hire on the defensive side of the ball. Kelly managed to land one of the biggest names in the sport — defensive line coach Bo Davis.

Davis was a member of Nick Saban’s staff at LSU before working with Saban again at Alabama. Just prior to LSU, Davis was at Texas, helping mold the Longhorns into a playoff contender. He’s one of the best recruiters and developers in the sport. He’s the total package as far as assistant coaches go.

LSU’s defensive line room was a major question mark entering the year, but Davis made the most of it. Wisconsin transfer Gio Paez exceeded expectations and looked better than he did with the Badgers.

Perhaps Davis’ most impressive work was getting two true freshmen ready to play and contribute. Ahmad Breaux and Dominick McKinley were both instant impact players and look to be a big part of LSU’s future plans on defense.

That brings us to our next takeaway…

7. 2024 recruiting class can be really good

Breaux and McKinley aren’t the only difference makers from LSU’s 2024 recruiting class. This has a chance to be Kelly’s best signing class at LSU.

Five-star tight end Trey’dez Green emerged in the Texas Bowl with two touchdowns, coming up big on third and fourth down throughout the night. At 6’7′, he can be one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the country.

In the backfield, true freshman running back Caden Durham racked up 753 yards and six scores. He looks like a budding star.

On the defensive side of the ball, LB Dahvon Keys and S Da’Shawn Spears both look prime to be major contributors as sophomores in 2025.

If this class comes together, LSU can build around it in 2025 and 2026. Kelly could use a stable core to work with after the last two campaigns.

8. 2023 recruiting class was a miss

While the 2024 class is trending up, most of the 2023 recruiting class is looking like a miss.

The top-ranked signees from the class were tackle Lance Heard and defensive end Da’Shawn Womack. Both transferred.

Rounding out the top six were DB Javien Toviano, WR Jalen Brown, WR Shelton Sampson, and DE Jaxon Howard. From that group, only Toviano remains.

Ka’Morreun Pimpton, Kylin Jackson, Rickie Collins, Mac Markway, and Ryan Yaites were all four-star signees in 2023 and have all transferred.

Of the ones that remain, Weeks is the only proven candidate. DJ Chester was LSU’s starting center, but he’ll be competing for his job in 2025. Toviano and RB Kaleb Jackson are talented but still looking to carve out a role.

LSU’s swing and a miss in 2023 is a big reason why the Tigers had to be aggressive in the portal this cycle.

9. Aaron Anderson’s future is bright

Aaron Anderson transferred to LSU in 2023 after beginning his career with Alabama. The former five-star was a Louisiana native but spent most of 2023 watching Nabers, Thomas, Lacy, and Mason Taylor make plays. There just wasn’t room for Anderson yet.

In 2024, Anderson got his chance and made the most of it. He was one of the most effective slot receivers in the SEC. He was deadly on crossers, and LSU found ways to involve him in the screen game.

Anderson’s 874 receiving yards rank eighth among SEC receivers. His 7.5 average yards after the catch sits top 10, too. He has a chance to post a 1,000-yard campaign in 2025.

10. LSU needed more from the transfer portal

It was a point of contention among fans in the offseason — how much did LSU need in the transfer portal?

The Tigers opted to remain passive in the portal last year, outside the pursuit of big-name defensive tackles, they didn’t even land.

LSU went for value additions. Sometimes that works out; sometimes, it doesn’t. As it turns out, LSU needed more help.

LSU was inconsistent at safety, and while the defensive tackle group overperformed, a big name up the middle could have changed the outlook for this defense.

On offense, another playmaker at wide receiver or running back could have given LSU the explosive element it needed throughout the year.