There are more questions than answers when it comes to Garrett Nussmeier, quarterback for the LSU Tigers. He struggled down the stretch in 2025, which led to him being benched, but at the 2026 NFL Combine, he will have a chance to set all that aside and just prove he can throw the ball.
There is a lot riding on Nussmeier’s performance during the quarterback drills, and it could sink or raise his draft stock by quite a bit.
Nussmeier’s Scouting Report and NFL Draft Projection
The former LSU quarterback has plenty of upside, but unfortunately, he has given NFL scouts plenty of reasons to hesitate as well. The NFL combine is where players can dispel that skepticism, but will Nussmeier be able to do so?
Despite a rocky final season with LSU in 2025, Nussmeier still put together a collegiate career where he passed for 7,699 yards, 52 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. That might not be enough to turn heads in the NFL, but the PFSN Prospect Metrics have him graded at 78.33 and he is considered the 204th overall prospect on the board.
Nussmeier’s scouting report from PFSN recognizes the positives that the quarterback brings to the game, but the glaring issues aren’t shied away from either. Whoever ends up taking a chance on the LSU product will be getting someone who has that fight, but a major concern is about his ceiling and whether there is a firm cap to where he can get to.
“Garrett 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. But in spite of these limiting elements, there’s no denying his gamer mentality,” the report read, being brutally honest.
“Defying his frame,” PFSN’s scouting report continued, “Nussmeier isn’t afraid to stand in and deliver tough throws under pressure, nor is he scared of getting out in the flats and operating off-platform. He’s also one of the most advanced processors in the class, with moments of high-level pre-snap command, anticipation, and gunslinger grit on film.
“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 error is slimmer, and this likely relegates him 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.”
Jacob Infante of PFSN has Nussmeier going to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 85th overall pick (3rd round) in the 2026 NFL Draft, citing his positive traits but not ignoring the raw talent and struggles that he showed in college.
“Garrett Nussmeier excels in all the fundamentals,” Infante writes, “He’s accurate, smart, and composed under pressure. His pocket presence and decision-making stand out. His 2025 inconsistency sees him fall down the board pretty significantly, but when he’s on like he was for most of 2024, he displays genuine NFL starting potential.”
Nussmeier’s 2026 NFL Combine Results
- 40-Yard Dash: DNP
- 10-Yard Split: DNP
- Vertical Jump: DNP
- Broad Jump: DNP
- 3-Cone Drill: DNP
- 20-Yard Shuttle: DNP
- Bench Press:
(This section will be updated once the NFL Combine results are available.)
