The LSU football program is determined to move forward in 2024. The Tigers will enter the upcoming season with a revamped roster, and although Jayden Daniels is no longer on the team, head coach Brian Kelly has complete confidence in his team.

Kelly outlined LSU’s ultimate goal for 2024 in late August on “The Paul Finebaum Show”:

“Look, we want to win a national championship. And I’m not going to sit here on this show and say 10 wins is the ultimate goal. It’s about winning national championships. And there are other coaches who have done much better. But we’ve been consistent year after year in what we’ve done. We just want to take the next step, and that’s to win a national championship,” Kelly said, according to Paul Finebaum.

The LSU football program finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 10-3, just behind the Ole Miss Rebels and College Football Playoff participant Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tigers’ fearless leader was 2023-24 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels.

Daniels entered the LSU scene in 2022 after three years at Arizona State. In his first year with the Tigers, he threw for 2,913 yards and 17 touchdowns. Then he experienced his big breakout season. Daniels amassed 3,812 yards and 40 TDs in 2023 and was recognized as one of the best QBs in college football.

The Tigers will miss Daniels’ performance as he joined the Washington Commanders as the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Still, LSU has an X-factor that could help the team make further progress next season.

LSU Football retains a strong offensive leader

Fans and analysts are intrigued by new starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. However, he alone is no guarantee of success for the Tigers. Shane Shoemaker of ClutchPoints explained that Nussmeier must have good connections with LSU’s wide receivers to help the offense succeed.

“Nussmeier will be more of a pocket passer, throwing passes all over the field. But who will he throw to, you ask? The WR1 appears to be senior Kyren Lacy. He’s coming off his best season in catches, yards and touchdowns last year and has four years of playing time under his belt. In addition to Lacy, last year’s receivers Chris Hilton Jr. and Aaron Anderson are returning, who don’t have much to show for it,” Shoemaker wrote in late August.

If Nussmeier and LSU’s receivers line up, the Tigers have a chance to overcome elite defenses in the SEC and beyond.

Will Brian Kelly’s ultimate goal for LSU come true? Stay tuned to find out.