SEC media days: LSU, South Carolina, Ole Miss quarterbacks in spotlight
LSU quarterbacks have a history of taking an impressive jump from year one to two. Before spearheading two of the NFL's most dominant offenses, Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow came into their own during their second seasons in Baton Rouge. Is it Nussmeier's turnn?
Nussmeier finished the 2024 season with a 64.2 completion percentage and 4,052 passing yards for 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Limiting turnovers is a big point of emphasis for Nussmeier approaching his final season at LSU.
'There's no hiding from turnovers,' Nussmeier said. 'As an anticipation player, there's going to be some interceptions. The ones I need to eliminate are the ones that don't need to happen, the ones where I'm trying to do too much, the ones where I'm trying to make a play when I don't need to.'
Nussmeier understands the stakes are high, especially given the history of year two success for Burrow and Daniels. More than ever, he's motivated to create his own legacy.
'Obviously with the track record that LSU quarterbacks have in the past, it's not a thing of disrespect. I have a lot of respect for Jayden, a lot of respect for Joe and what they were able to accomplish in their second years, and also respectively in their first years. But as I said before, I'm me,' Nussmeier said. 'I'm worried about improving myself, being the best I can be to lead us where we want to go.'
The season opener is Aug. 30 at Clemson.
South Carolina went 9-4 in 2024, the program's first nine-win season under coach Shane Beamer and just its second since 2013. The Gamecocks will have to replace most of their starting defense, but unlike plenty of SEC teams, they won't have to worry about turnover at quarterback.
Redshirt sophomore Sellers returns after a breakout season, accounting for 3,208 yards and 25 total touchdowns, saving his best play for the end of the season with 16 total touchdowns and only three interceptions in November.
'I think we're going to be better around LaNorris as well on the offense,' Beamer said. '(We have) more depth and competition at pretty much every position, I feel like that's going to help him. He doesn't have to be Superman for us.'
South Carolina closed the regular season with five consecutive wins, and lost two games by a total of five points against LSU and Alabama. The success down the stretch last season combined with Sellers' return is the backbone of the optimism surrounding the Gamecocks and their chances of reaching the College Football Playoff after narrowly missing out last fall.
'We were four to five plays off,' Sellers said. 'That showed us a little bit of success, and showed us that we can make the playoff and make a run for the trophy."
Ole Miss has the challenge of replacing one the most successful signal-callers in program history. Lane Kiffin's Rebels went 21-5 over the last two seasons with Jaxson Dart under center. Now the offense belongs in the hands of redshirt sophomore Austin Simmons.
Simmons appeared in nine games last season mostly late in blowouts, but he did lead one touchdown drive against Georgia when Dart briefly went out injured.
'I'm really just focusing on building my own legacy rather than just focusing on the past,' Simmons said.
Simmons is a total 180 from Dart. He was not a full-time football player until this year, also playing with Ole Miss baseball in the spring before transitioning to football full-time. He was a Kiffin recruit as opposed to Dart, who arrived in the transfer portal.
Kiffin isn't looking for another Dart.
'Austin has to make sure he doesn't try to be Jaxson,' Kiffin said. 'He'll be fine. He's got elite talent, does a great job, he's maturing and did a great job when he came in in the Georgia game.'
Ole Miss went 10-3 last season, following an 11-2 mark in 2023. It was the first time Ole Miss has won double-digit games in consecutive seasons since 1959-60, and 2025 will be an opportunity to do so in three consecutive seasons for the first time.
___
AP freelance writer Alan Cole contributed to this report.
___
AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Economic Times
Tyrann Mathieu retires from NFL: A look back at his career and legacy
Tyrann Mathieu Shocks Fans with Retirement Announcement Live Events Tyrann Mathieu's Career Highlights and Legacy Support from Teammates and Saints Management FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Just before the Saints kicked off their first training camp practice, New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu dropped a shocking news, that he is retiring from football on his social media Instagram 33-year-old's decision came suddenly and was surprising after he was seen at the team's recent minicamp, as per an ESPN shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, he wrote that, "As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way," as per his social media shared in his post that, "From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing. Football gave me purpose, discipline, and memories that will stay with me forever. But more than anything, it gave me a community," as per the Instagram also said in his post that, "To every coach who believed in me, every teammate who battled beside me, and every fan who showed up, cheered, and rode with me through the highs and lows, thank you. You gave me strength when I needed it most, and your love carried me farther than I ever imagined." as quoted in his READ: Ozzy Osbourne's memoir 'Last Rites' to reveal his untold story that he penned before his death Mathieu retired after 12 seasons in the NFL and three seasons in New Orleans, according to the ESPN report. The former professional football safety is Louisiana native, who has earned the nickname "Honey Badger" while playing at LSU, and is popularly known for his ability to force turnovers, as per the ESPN report. He had 7 forced fumbles, 8 fumble recoveries, 11 sacks and 36 interceptions in his NFL career, as reported by was a third-round draft pick for the Cardinals in 2013, who spent the first five seasons of his career there, according to the report. Then he signed with the Houston Texans and he also played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2019 to 2021 and was part of Kansas City's Super Bowl LIV-winning team, as reported by ex-player was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, he won the Chuck Bednarik Award and was a Heisman Trophy finalist as a sophomore, as per the has revealed that he hopes to get into coaching one day, has maintained a close relationship with LSU even after his dismissal and donated $1 million to the school in 2016, according to the ESPN READ: Ozzy Osbourne Family: What we know about the Black Sabbath lead vocalist's wife Sharon and children Aimee, Kelly, Jack, Jessica, Louis, Elliot His retirement announcement instantly received well wishes from former teammates, including former LSU and Arizona Cardinals teammate Patrick Peterson, as per the who also retired this year, commented, "What a journey it has been for the both of us!", and added, "For us to have that same mentality, hunger, and drive to be the best version of ourselves was a treat in itself. Enjoy retirement love ya! #jobwelldonebabybro," as quoted by general Manager Mickey Loomis said that Mathieu's decision to retire came about recently, and that he didn't try to talk him out of it, saying, "He's a legendary Louisiana player, legendary NFL player. I really appreciate his time with us. He was fantastic," and added, "I don't have enough good things to say about him. ... I just wish him all the best," as quoted in the made three Pro Bowls, was named first-team All-Pro three times, and won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, as per the ESPN played 12 seasons in the NFL, including three with the New Orleans Saints, as per the ESPN report.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Tom Brady says he saw Peyton Manning as ‘the enemy'—and used it to fuel his greatness
Images via Getty In the world of elite sports, rivalries aren't just about wins and losses—they're psychological battles that shape careers, reputations, and even relationships. That's exactly what Tom Brady reflected on in the latest edition of his 199 newsletter, published on Monday, July 21. The retired quarterback, now 47, offered a rare and brutally honest look into the mental armor he built during his 23-year NFL career—particularly when it came to his icy dynamic with fellow icon Peyton Manning. While fans saw two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time trading touchdowns and dueling in AFC Championship games, Brady reveals he was waging a personal war in his own head—one that kept him from making real friendships and pushed him toward historic greatness. How Tom Brady's rivalry with Peyton Manning became a mental weapon When Tom Brady entered the NFL in 2000 as the 199th overall pick, he didn't just arrive with a chip on his shoulder—he built entire rivalries out of perceived slights. One of those centered around Peyton Manning, who had been the No. 1 overall pick two years earlier in the 1998 NFL Draft. Manning was the golden boy from an SEC powerhouse. Brady was a sixth-rounder from Michigan. And in Brady's mind, that gap had to be closed. 'When I look back on my relationship with Peyton Manning,' Brady wrote in his July 21 newsletter, 'my respect, admiration, and appreciation for him as a competitor has grown with each passing year.' But during their playing days, things were very different. 'It was always there, don't misunderstand,' he added, 'but while we were competing against each other I couldn't let that get in the way of the fact that he was my enemy, that he didn't respect me, that he thought he was better than me because he was a #1 pick from an SEC school — or at least that's what I made myself believe.' That self-imposed storyline wasn't about bitterness—it was a tool. 'Convincing myself that those things were true created a sense of urgency within me to prove him wrong,' Brady said. 'And it provided the extra bit of energy and motivation necessary to lock in and focus and execute just that much more so that I could beat him more often than he beat me.' Tom Brady, who won seven Super Bowls across two franchises (six with the New England Patriots, one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), saw the strategy pay off. But it came at a cost. 'That's why the greats like Michael Jordan didn't have friends during the season,' he noted. 'Kobe Bryant wasn't collabing with anyone who wasn't in purple and gold. Tiger Woods didn't have friends on tour. Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens would throw at their moms if they were in another team's jersey. ' Brady admitted that his attitude created tension not just with Manning but with most opponents. 'For my part, I didn't have any real friends on any other teams when I played,' he wrote. 'I had the guys on my team and that was it.' Tom Brady and Peyton Manning's rivalry fueled NFL greatness—and left a lasting legacy Years after both legends walked away from the game, Brady says he's come to appreciate what that rivalry truly meant. 'I maybe didn't fully know it at the time, but I needed someone to look up to, who inspired me to be better,' he wrote. 'Now when I see him, the only thing I can say is thank you.' Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were never close on the field—but that distance may have been the very thing that elevated them both. Brady's grudge wasn't personal—it was purposeful. And in the end, it forged two of the greatest careers in NFL history. Because sometimes, what looks like resentment is really just reverence in disguise. Also Read: New Orleans Saints give Tyler Shough historic $10.8M deal as rookie QB battle heats up Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Why Did Olivia Dunne's Olympics Dream ‘Die' Despite Having a Stellar NCAA Career?
Image via Imagn: Olivia Dunne Imagine training your whole life, dominating the NCAA scene, and being on track to represent your country at the Olympics. only to have it all taken away. That's exactly what happened to Olivia Dunne. She started gymnastics at just 3 years old and made it to the U.S. national team in 2017. Everything was going perfectly until an ankle condition called osteochondritis dissecans changed everything. The injury crushed her Olympic dreams before she even had the chance to compete on the biggest stage. Recently, Olivia opened up about the heartbreaking experience and how it shaped her both as an athlete and a person. Olivia Dunne's Injury Woes Ended Her Olympics Dream The 22-year-old appeared on WWE giant, Stephanie McMahon's podcast, 'What's Your Story?' and explained why she let her Olympics dream die. 'I was actually competing on a hurt ankle [at] the 2018 USA Championships and part of my ankle bone died.' After the event, Dunne was diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans, which caused the bone underneath the cartilage to lose the flow of blood and turn obsolete. She added, 'It's called an OCD, it just died, so my Olympic dreams died with it.' Livvy Dunne opens up about NIL, Olympic dreams & 'sex sells' | What's Your Story? With Steph McMahon She added, 'I did compete for Team USA, and we would go to Italy, compete, we won gold. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo That was one of the biggest honors of my life. But, I mean, it was just not the right environment for me, and I kept getting hurt, you know what?, I'm going to go enjoy the sport again in college, go to LSU, heal up, and enjoy and love the sport.' For those unfamiliar, Olivia Dunne began her collegiate gymnastics journey in the 2020–21 season and played a key role in leading the LSU Tigers to their first-ever NCAA championship title in 2024. She also earned WCGA All-American honors in 2021, marking herself as one of the standout athletes of her generation. Olivia Dunne Calls Out The New York Times for Sexist Remark From 2022 Dunne officially retired from gymnastics in April 2025, but her impact didn't stop there. She has since used her platform to uplift and support women in sports. In a recent podcast appearance, she even called out The New York Times for an alleged sexist remark made in their 2022 article. Back in 2022, they ran a controversial piece on Olivia Dunne titled 'New Endorsements for College Athletes Resurface an Old Concern: S*x Sells. ' The article drew backlash for describing Dunne as 'a petite blonde with a bright smile and a gymnast's toned physique.' Recently, Dunne spoke out against the story and especially the headline, revealing what happened behind the scenes. 'They came to our gymnastics facility at LSU, took pictures of me. They said, 'Wear your team-issued attire, put on a leotard. And they took a picture of me standing in front of the beam, like any gymnast would, and then they blew it up on the screen and put the headline, 'S*x Sells.' She continued, 'Okay, well, you just came into the facility and took pictures of me in our team-issued attire and blew it up on a screen… So I was like, 'okay, well, this is crazy.' And there was obviously a lot of backlash to the New York Times because of that.' Also read: 5 Smart Deals That Turned Roger Federer Into A Billionaire Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
