After 22 Years, LSU QB Selected for Coveted No. 18 Jersey

Jersey number 18 is a significant honor within the LSU football program. The significance of this number came to be known in the 2003 season as quarterback Matt Mauck led the Tigers to the national championship under head coach Nick Saban.

A Tradition is Born

Mauck displayed leadership qualities unmatched by his peers, along with his strong work ethic and commitment to his teammates. Mauck’s attention to detail and focus on the task at hand helped the Tigers reach the summit of college football’s championship mountain.

Thus, an LSU football tradition was born and the jersey number 18 became a coveted prize for LSU’s favorite sons. In 2025, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier will be only the second Tigers’ gunslinger to wear the prized numeral.

A Big Star in the Lone Star

Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Nussmeier grew up in the fertile football oasis of Texas.

Nussmeier passed for over 8,100 yards as a Texas prep star. As a result, he received 30 scholarship offers from such schools as Georgia, Texas, Penn State and Miami, just to name a few.

But Nussmeier felt it was divine will that he chose LSU and arrived on campus ready to learn and eventually, ready to lead. His selection to wear to the prestigious number 18 jersey is a testament to his hard work and leadership skills.

Waiting His Turn

Nussmeier is a 5^th year senior and waited and learned behind two-year starter Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2023. It was his duty to stay at LSU.

Nussmeier did not leave for greener pastures or a big NIL payday. He just worked hard to show coach Brian Kelly and his staff that he was worthy and ready to take control of the LSU offense.

Last season, as the LSU full-time starter for the first time, Nussmeier became only the second quarterback in LSU history to throw for over 4,000 yards in a season. The other half of that elite duo is none other than Joe “Burreaux.” However, not even Joey B. wore number 18.

Nussmeier posted seven games of 300+yards passing and two games of over 400 yards through the air.

For his LSU career, Nussmeier ranks ninth on the school passing list with 5,772 yards, 40 touchdowns and 19 INTs (12 of those came last season). If Nussmeier can throw for over 3,300+ yards this season, he will become LSU’s all-time passing leader.  

On Tiger Droppings X account (@TigerDroppings), Kelly said this about Nussmeier getting number 18,

“I like that we’ve centered back to the quarterback position. It sends a great message about the history and tradition of 18 with Matt Mauck.”

On Aug. 30, Nussmeier will lead the ninth-ranked LSU Tigers into a pseudo-Death Valley that is home to a team with a mascot of the same name, the fourth-ranked Tigers of Clemson.

If all goes well, the Tigers from Baton Rouge will take a jackhammer to Howard’s Rock and the “Nuss Bus” will drive out of Clemson, South Carolina with a season-opening win for the first time in six years.