Garrett Nussmeier is heading to the Senior Bowl this week with something to prove - and a real opportunity to do it. Once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick heading into the 2025 college football season, the LSU quarterback saw his stock slide after a tough, injury-riddled year. But now, with a clean slate and a national spotlight in Mobile, Alabama, Nussmeier has a chance to remind NFL scouts why he was once one of the most talked-about arms in the country.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, Nussmeier could be the most impressive quarterback on the field this week - and not just because of his name recognition. Reid points to a few key traits that should shine in the controlled, competitive environment of Senior Bowl practices: anticipation, accuracy, and a fearless approach to throwing into tight windows. That last part is especially important - it’s what separates guys who can manage a game from those who can take over one.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing in at 205 pounds, Nussmeier isn’t going to overwhelm anyone physically. But what he brings to the table is a high-level understanding of the game.
He’s shown he can manipulate protections at the line of scrimmage, a skill that’s often overlooked but absolutely critical at the next level. Add that to his willingness to challenge defenses over the middle and outside the numbers, and you’ve got a quarterback whose game might translate better to the pros than his final college stats suggest.
Reid noted that scouts are all over the board when it comes to Nussmeier’s draft range - some see him as a Day 2 pick (Round 3), while others have him pegged for the fifth or even sixth round. That kind of variance usually means there’s talent, but also questions. For Nussmeier, this week is about answering those questions - showing he’s healthy, consistent, and capable of commanding an NFL-style offense against top-tier competition.
It’s worth remembering just how high the expectations were for Nussmeier entering last season. After a breakout 2024 campaign, he looked poised to make the leap into the early-first-round conversation.
But the 2025 season didn’t go as planned. Injuries slowed him down, and the production simply didn’t match the hype.
That’s the kind of setback that can derail a quarterback’s draft narrative - unless he finds a way to flip the script.
That’s exactly what the Senior Bowl offers: a reset button. NFL evaluators won’t just be watching the game on Saturday; they’ll be locked in all week during practices, looking to see who can process quickly, make throws on time, and lead with command in unfamiliar surroundings. For quarterbacks like Nussmeier, it’s less about highlight-reel plays and more about consistency, decision-making, and how they carry themselves in a pro-style environment.
This week isn’t just about salvaging a draft stock - it’s about reclaiming a reputation. If Nussmeier can put together a strong showing, he could re-enter the conversation as a legitimate Day 2 quarterback prospect. And in a year where the quarterback class has plenty of depth but not a lot of consensus beyond the top names, there’s room for someone like Nussmeier to rise.
The tools are there. The experience is there.
Now it’s just about putting it all together - one throw, one rep, one interview at a time. The stage is set in Mobile.
Let’s see what Nussmeier does with it.