LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier saw his draft stock decline after a turbulent and injury-shortened 2025 season. However, he is still viewed as a top-five quarterback prospect in most rankings due to his high upside and natural arm talent.
Insider Drops Subtle Verdict on Garrett Nussmeier’s Draft Outlook
ESPN NFL Draft insider Jordan Reid appeared on the “Phinside The NFL” podcast Saturday, where he discussed two quarterbacks he would be comfortable betting on from a traits standpoint who can still be available on Day 2. Nussmeier was among the names Reid mentioned.
“A couple of guys I would be willing to take a chance on- Garrett Nussmeier out of LSU,” Reid said (12:15). “I think he’s somebody that’ll probably go in the third round. That’s where I currently have him graded. If you go back to 2024, a lot of people, including me, thought he had the potential to be a first-round pick. You’re seeing him predicted to go inside the 10-15 picks in a lot of my drafts that came out before the season, just because of the throws he was willing to make down the field.
“You know, he’s very smart as well. He’s the son of a coach- New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. So, he’s very cerebral and is very smart at the position. So, if you do take him in the third round, I definitely think you’re trusting what you saw back in 2024 with him. So, I think he’s one that I would be willing to take a swing on.”
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That assessment isn’t unfounded, as after serving as a backup to Jayden Daniels, Nussmeier generated legit first-round buzz following a magnificent 2024 season. He threw for over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns that season, but his momentum stalled in his senior season in 2025.
A combination of issues contributed to that decline, including inconsistent offensive line play and a struggling run game that ranked near the bottom of the FBS. While Nussmeier shared some of the blame for LSU’s offensive struggles, injuries played a big role in the quarterback’s lackluster season.
Nussmeier’s preseason abdominal issue lingered throughout the year, leading to multiple setbacks and forcing him to miss four games. He also dealt with patellar tendon tendinitis, continued wearing a knee sleeve following a prior surgery in 2023, and his 2025 season ultimately was limited to just nine games.
Teams are now tasked with determining which version of Nussmeier better represents his true NFL potential. Some believe that if he can return to full health, the talent he displayed earlier in his career could still translate successfully to the next level.
Nussmeier completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 2025, while also adding a rushing score. However, his ball security remained a strength, as he fumbled just 7 times across more than 1,800 career snaps at LSU. His performance at the 2026 Senior Bowl also helped steady his draft stock.
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“Nussmeier’s got a live arm,” ESPN’s Ben Solak said about Nussmeier’s potential during an appearance in the “Get Up” podcast on Friday. “He’s a very creative thrower, and he has good pocket management. Now, he’s too aggressive. He really likes to push the ball down the field. We have to dial that back in the NFL, but there’s a starter in here for sure with the year of development.”
Nussmeier finished last season with a 75.9 score in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric, ranking No. 110 in the nation.
Here is what PFSN’s NFL Mock Draft Simulator profile has to say about Nussmeier:
“Nussmeier is one of the most polarizing QB prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly after a 2025 season that saw him benched down the stretch. At 6’1”, 200 pounds, he’s not a prototypically-built QB. He doesn’t have elite athleticism or creation ability, and his arm is middling.
The “gunslinger” moniker swings both ways for Nussmeier, who is prone to taking ill-advised risks more often than preferred, and his accuracy did not progress in 2025. With average tools, his margin for errorr is slimmer, and this likely relegates to a backup and spot-starter role in the NFL. That said, with the right support and time to reset, he has the requisite mental acuity, and could carve out a career similar to Andy Dalton at his best.”
