Garrett Nussmeier addressed an important issue to kick off the week’s SEC Media Days.
On Monday, On3’s J.D. PicKell asked the LSU quarterback how he feels about the “Gumbo Gunslinger” nickname. While PicKell has seen plenty of fans object to the moniker, Nussmeier gave his seal of approval.
“I love it,” Nussmeier said, adding that it’s “up to the people” whether it sticks.
He also likes “Nuss Buss,” saying he’s called himself that “just messing around” before others deployed the nickname.
“People used to make fun of me in high school and call me the Nuss Buss, so I get that one,” Nussmeier said. “But I like the Gumbo Gunslinger, too. But like I said, that’s not up to me.”
Nussmeier clarified that he likes gumbo, particularly his grandmother’s seafood gumbo. So at least it fits in that regard.
After taking a back seat for three years at Baton Rouge, Nussmeier is poised to start the 2024 season as Brian Kelly’s starting quarterback. The Louisiana native faces the tall task of replacing Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.
Nussmeier provided a promising glimpse of the future when completing 31 of 45 pass attempts for 395 yards and three touchdowns in a ReliaQuest Bowl win over Wisconsin on New Year’s Day.
Regardless of what people call him, Nussmeier has one notable fan in Nick Saban. The former Alabama head coach compared the quarterback’s path to the starting job to the one Mac Jones faced at Tuscaloosa
“Stuck with the program, sat behind some really good players,” Saban said, via Bama247’s Mike Rodak. “Waited his opportunity. Developed that whole time. Was smart enough to understand that it was important that when he got a chance to play, he was going to play well. Not about being frustrated that he wasn’t playing at that moment. I think those guys can sometimes be pretty dangerous. He’s probably more ready to play than people think.”
Related: Garrett Nussmeier Opens Up About Why He Stayed At LSU