Garrett Nussmeier

● Smooth stroke as a passer — ball shoots off his hand ● Has a good feel for all his reads and how to access them ● Quick to identify man-zone indicators and breeze through mental checklist ● Anticipates back-shoulder window and option routes; puts the ball in ideal spots for his target ● Patiently allows patterns to develop and purposely drifts for an extra half-beat ● Confident thrower; plays with a short memory ● Instinctively negotiates noisy pockets with balanced slides to quickly reset throwing base ● Not electric as an athlete but can go get a first down ● Consistently plays through injuries — toughness isn’t a question ● Received graduate-level football courses throughout his upbringing, with a quarterbacks coach at home ● NFL-quality intangibles (NFL scout: “Has natural leadership qualities, and guys listen to him because they like him.”)

● Undersized in stature and build, with smaller-than-ideal hands ● Will get overambitious in reads and attempt tightest of tight-window throws ● Gets in trouble bird-dogging intended target ● Had more career interceptions (six) than touchdowns (five) vs. drop-eight coverage looks ● Injuries in 2025 led to poor mechanical habits and an inability to rotate through the football ● Needs to be more aware of late-developing pressures ● Doesn’t have dynamic movements for easy pocket escapes when the walls start to close ● Nine passes batted at the line in 23 career starts ● Just 23 career starts (15-8 record) ● Abdominal injury (Aug. 2025), which affected him throughout his final season (he reinjured it several times) and sidelined him for four games; played through patella tendon tendinitis in 2025 and wore a sleeve on his left knee (result of 2023 surgery) 7 Back to table of contents -- 11 of 629 --

A two-year starter at LSU, Nussmeier operated in former offensive coordinator Joe Sloan’s balanced, RPO-based offense. After backing up Jayden Daniels for two seasons, he earned his own first-round buzz from NFL scouts with a productive 2024 season. However, his senior year was a disappointment, brought on by a perfect storm of contributing factors, including an inconsistent offensive line and a run game that ranked 124th in the FBS. Nussmeier wasn’t blameless for the Tigers’ offensive struggles, although the root of his issues was a preseason abdominal injury, which restricted his movements and prematurely ended his 2025 season. Nussmeier is an undersized, strong-armed passer who can efficiently deliver from various arm slots without sacrificing velocity. He can make any throw he wants and isn’t shy about testing quick-expiring windows, although those overconfident decisions lead to turnovers. As the son of a longtime college and NFL coach, it isn’t a surprise that he shows anticipation when reading out the field, toughness to negotiate muddy pockets and the intangibles that should translate to an NFL quarterback room. Overall, Nussmeier is an aggressive competitor who can throw you into or out of games, but his arm talent and command are foundational traits that generally translate well to the NFL. He projects as a high-level backup and spot starter.