Breaking: LSU Tigers football player Garrett Nussmeier has donated $12.6 million to turn a property into a refuge for the school’s homeless students after…

In an awe-inspiring act of generosity, LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has made headlines nationwide by donating \$12.6 million to purchase and renovate a property near campus into a refuge for homeless and housing-insecure students. The project, which has been in quiet development for several months, is expected to transform the lives of dozens of LSU students facing extreme hardships.

Nussmeier, known for his strong arm and leadership under center, is now being praised for something even more important than football: heart.

According to sources close to the LSU program, Nussmeier personally sought out the real estate deal after learning about the growing number of students attending LSU without a permanent place to live. Estimates suggest that over 200 students on campus are currently experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness, many of whom struggle silently while attending classes full-time.

“I’ve been blessed with opportunities that most people dream of,” Nussmeier said in a statement released Monday morning. “But I’ve also seen people who work just as hard as I do sleep in their cars or shower in public restrooms before class. That’s not right, and I wanted to do something about it.

The donation will fully fund the acquisition and renovation of a previously abandoned apartment complex located just three blocks south of LSU’s main campus. The facility, to be named *Tiger Refuge*, will serve as a transitional housing center for students in need. It will include more than 70 private rooms, shared kitchens, laundry facilities, a counseling and wellness center, and a 24/7 support staff focused on student wellness and academic success.

Plans also include a small library, quiet study spaces, and access to tutors and mentors. The university confirmed it will collaborate with Nussmeier’s team to staff the center and integrate it with LSU’s Office of Student Advocacy & Accountability.

Nussmeier’s act of kindness comes at a time when student homelessness is rising at universities across the country. According to a 2023 report from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, nearly 15% of U.S. college students report being housing insecure within a given year.

The quarterback, who has been active in LSU’s student leadership and mentoring programs, said the tipping point came last year when he met a fellow student who was attending classes and holding a part-time job while living in his car.

“I couldn’t shake the feeling that this could be any one of us,” Nussmeier said. “The difference between someone thriving and someone struggling is often just support. That’s what this is about—support and dignity.

University officials say Nussmeier’s \$12.6 million gift is the single largest philanthropic contribution ever made by a student-athlete at LSU and one of the most significant donations from a college athlete in the country.

LSU President William F. Tate IV issued a statement lauding the quarterback’s leadership: “Garrett Nussmeier represents the very best of our institution—academic excellence, athletic achievement, and, most importantly, compassion for others. This gift will change lives and inspire generations.

Head football coach Brian Kelly echoed the sentiment: “Garrett is a leader in every sense of the word. He’s the kind of teammate and man that makes this program and this school better.

Construction on Tiger Refuge is expected to begin in late 2025, with a projected opening date in time for the Fall 2026 semester. Nussmeier has said he will remain involved in overseeing the project and hopes to use it as a model for other schools nationwide.

While LSU fans have long celebrated Nussmeier for his poise on the field, it’s clear now that his biggest legacy may come off the field—in bricks, shelter, and second chances.