There's nothing quite like an elite quarterback matchup to open Louisiana'shigh school football season — especially when it features two of the biggest last names in the state: Kiffin and Nussmeier.
Three-star quarterback Knox Kiffin, the son of LSU head coach Lane Kiffin, and four-star Georgia commit Colton Nussmeier, the younger brother of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and former LSU star Garrett Nussmeier, will go head-to-head Friday, Sept. 4, when Archbishop Rummel travels to LSU Laboratory School to open the season.
Both quarterbacks transferred during the offseason and will look to make their debuts with a win.
Here's what to know about the matchup.
Who is Knox Kiffin?
Kiffin is a three-star quarterback in the Class of 2028 at LSU Laboratory School, better known
as U-High, and the son of LSU head coach Lane Kiffin. He transferred to U-High from Oxford High School in Mississippi after his father accepted the head coaching job at LSU.
At Oxford, Kiffin completed 67-of-114 passes for 1,236 yards and 14 touchdowns against two interceptions, helping lead the Chargers to the Class 7A state semifinals.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound quarterback has already received several offers, including from Power Four programs like Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Missouri and California.
It's a big weekend for the Kiffin family, as Lane and the Tigers open their season on Saturday, Sept. 5, against Clemson. This marks Lane Kiffin's first season with LSU after he left Ole Miss last year after six seasons with the Rebels.
Who is Colton Nussmeier?
Nussmeier is a four-star quarterback in the Class of 2027 and a Georgia commit who will make his debut for Archbishop Rummel this season. Nussmeier joined the Raiders after being ruled ineligible to play at Denton Ryan High School in Texas.
Before suffering a season-ending knee injury last year, Nussmeier threw for 1,390 yards and 12 touchdowns against just one interception. He also rushed 45 times for 278 yards and three touchdowns.
Nussmeier committed to Kirby Smart and Georgia on June 5,choosing the Bulldogs over offers from LSU, Alabama, Indiana and Auburn among others.
Nussmeier is far from a new name in Louisiana. His older brother, Garrett, was LSU's starting quarterback for two seasons before moving on to the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs. Their father, Doug, is the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints and spent time also spent time as quarterback in the NFL.
What to know about U-High
U-High is coming off of a 2025 season where it finished 10-3, with one of its losses coming to Archbishop Rummel.
Along with Kiffin, the Cubs added another transfer from Oxford High School in wide receiver Kevin Smith Jr. Like Knox Kiffin, Smith's dad joined LSU's coaching staff as the assistant head coach and running backs coach after spending three seasons at Ole Miss.
Knox Kiffin is already familiar with Smith, who totaled 783 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season at Oxford.
The Cubs also added highly-touted three-star running back Caiden Bellard, who rushed for 1,532 yards and 21 touchdowns last season.
Although Friday's game will be the season opener, U-High got an early test in the 2026 Capital City Kickoff Jamboree on Aug. 28, falling 20-0 to Catholic. Knox Kiffin and the Cubs were held to just 19 yards in the first half and 104 yards total, according to William Weathers of Geaux Preps.
What to know about Archbishop Rummel
Archbishop Rummel is coming off of a 2025 season where it finished 8-5, but enters the season filled with talent.
The Raiders had a positive start to their season, defeating St. Paul's 35-17 in their annual preseason football jamboree after overcoming a 17-6 deficit at halftime. Running backs Jaden Terrance and Coryan Hawkins combined for 250 rushing yards on the night.
Before becoming an elite receiver at LSU and later an All-Pro honoree with the Cincinnati Bengals, Ja'Marr Chase was a standoutat Archbishop Rummel. The school was also home to former Chicago Bears safety Craig Steltz, former Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Troy Kropog, tight end Cathan Carter, wide receiver Cyril Grayson, Ashton Stamps and Logan Diggs.
The program boasts three state championships (2012, 2013, 2019) and hopes that Nussmeier will be their next guy to do bring them a title.
When is the U-High vs. Archbishop Rummel high school football game?
Archbishop travels to Baton Rouge to face U-High on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. ET at the Cub Complex.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Knox Kiffin vs Colton Nussmeier: What to know about intriguing Louisiana QB showdown
