Garrett Nussmeier expects big year for LSU running backs

Louisiana State University The Tigers had one of the most explosive offenses in the country last season, but they’ll look completely different this year. They’ve lost their offensive coordinator, their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and two first-round draft picks at receiver.

Strategist Garrett Nussmeier now takes over the offense, and the more help he can get from the running game and his backfield, the easier his job will be in his first full season as a starter. At the Manning Passing Academy, Nussmeier talked about his running backs and what he expects from that unit this upcoming season.

“Yeah, I think all of our backs are going to do a really good job for us this year. Kaleb (Jackson)And Josh WilliamsAnd Caden (Durham)“They’re all really, really good and they care about us. They care about us, they care about our team, they care about our offense,” Nussmeier said.

Strategist Jayden Daniels was LSU’s leading rusher last season with 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. Just behind Daniels was Logan Diggswho entered the transfer portal and joined Ole Miss during the off-season.

Williams returns with the most experience for his sixth season with the Tigers, representing the only member of the team who was part of LSU’s 2019 national championship team. But overall, the mentality of the entire running backs room gives Nussmeier confidence in the running game.

“They do things the right way and I think that makes a difference, especially when you have running backs that care about what they’re doing to do things the right way,” Nussmeier said. “It makes a total difference. They’re always where they’re supposed to be, they’re doing what they’re supposed to do and they’re doing more.”

Williams can bring experience, but Jackson returns after an impressive freshman season where he rushed for 165 yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries. He also made an impact in the passing and return games with six receptions for 53 yards and 11 kickoff returns for 249 yards.

“So I think all of these guys, and Kaleb, you’ve seen him make people look like idiots and make people look like middle schoolers when he comes across him. But I think you’ll see that a lot more often, too,” Nussmeier concluded.

Nussmeier is likely referring to Jackson’s match against Mississippi State where he crushed a defender and sent the LSU sideline into a frenzy last season. Tigers fans will be hoping to see more plays like that from him and the entire offense next season.