Garrett Nussmeier’s path to the NFL hasn’t been the smoothest ride-but it’s been one that’s shaped him in ways that go beyond the stat sheet. The former LSU quarterback is in Mobile this week for the Senior Bowl, looking to make his case to NFL scouts ahead of the 2026 Draft. And while his college journey took a few unexpected turns, it’s clear he’s carrying lessons that could serve him well at the next level-many of which came from the guy who once stood in his way.
Back in 2022, Nussmeier was a redshirt freshman with hopes of taking over the Tigers’ offense. Then Jayden Daniels arrived from Arizona State and immediately took the reins.
Daniels didn’t just win the starting job-he lit it up. His first year in Baton Rouge was strong, but his second was historic.
In 2023, Daniels put together one of the most electric seasons we’ve seen from a college quarterback, a performance that helped launch him to the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, where he landed with the Washington Commanders.
For Nussmeier, it meant another year waiting in the wings. But he stayed the course.
When Daniels left for the NFL, Nussmeier finally got his shot. He started all 13 games for LSU in 2024, throwing for over 4,000 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
He completed 64% of his passes and showed flashes of the high-level arm talent that had LSU fans excited about his potential. Like Daniels before him, Nussmeier chose to return for one more year, hoping to elevate his draft stock.
But 2025 didn’t go according to script. Nussmeier battled through injury and was eventually benched after nine starts.
The LSU offense struggled to find consistency, and at times, the home crowd let their frustrations be known. It was a tough stretch for a quarterback who had already waited so long for his moment.
Still, Nussmeier isn’t bitter. In fact, when asked this week about his time behind Daniels, he spoke with nothing but respect-and a clear sense of growth.
“That experience with Jayden was hard for me to learn because our play styles are very different,” Nussmeier said. “I would like to say I could run like him, but obviously not. He can do some special things with the ball in his hands.”
Daniels’ dual-threat ability was never something Nussmeier tried to replicate. Instead, he focused on learning what he could-on and off the field.
“When I was behind Jayden, I had to learn from him in different ways,” he continued. “I couldn’t just watch him pull outside zone and take off 65 yards for a touchdown and say, ‘Alright, I’m going to go do that.’
That wasn’t really my game. But there were things within his game I could learn, too.
He’s a great passer. The most I learned from Jayden was more off the field-how he interacted with teammates, how he went about his business, how he studied, how he prepared.
That’s where Jayden helped me the most. I’m thankful for my time behind him.”
That kind of perspective speaks volumes. It’s not easy for a young quarterback to sit behind a star, especially when you’ve got your own NFL dreams. But Nussmeier didn’t just wait-he watched, absorbed, and prepared.
Now, he’s got three crucial months ahead of him. The Senior Bowl is just the beginning of a pre-draft process where every rep, every interview, every throw could shift how teams view him. And while his college career didn’t follow a straight line to stardom, it’s given him something just as valuable: resilience, maturity, and a deeper understanding of what it takes to lead.
Daniels may have been the star at LSU, but Nussmeier’s story is still being written. And if NFL teams are paying attention, they’ll see a quarterback who’s not just battle-tested-but better for it.