USA Today: Tennessee, Auburn, Kentucky may take a look at Garrett Nussmeier.

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Blake Toppmeyer
USA TODAY NETWORK

Atlanta – Coaches in the market for a transfer quarterback should have watched the second half of Saturday's SEC Championship with interest.

With each deep ball that penetrated Georgia’s usually ironclad but suddenly vulnerable secondary, LSU backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier polished his résumé. His sizzling relief performance served as a bright spot in No. 14 LSU's 50-30 loss to No. 1 Georgia on Saturday in the SEC Championship.

A small sample size, sure, but Nussmeier flashed the arm strength and moxie to be a Power Five starting quarterback — if not for LSU, then elsewhere.

The transfer portal will open Monday, kicking off a winter of player movement. A big-armed quarterback with SEC starting experience would be at no shortage of suitors.

Tennessee must replace Hendon Hooker, and Josh Heupel gravitates to quarterbacks who can stretch the field.

And the Vols aren’t the only SEC school losing its starter — hello, Kentucky — that should eye the portal.

Auburn also should seek to upgrade its competition at the position under new coach Hugh Freeze, who has a proven track record for developing quarterbacks.

No need for Nussmeier to rush into deciding his future, because his plans may be directly linked to Daniels’ next move. The deadline to declare for the NFL Draft is Jan. 16. A junior, Daniels is eligible to go pro.

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