Garrett Nussmeier Shines at Senior Bowl, Reigniting NFL Draft Buzz
Garrett Nussmeier didn’t just show up in Mobile - he showed out. The former LSU quarterback capped off a pivotal week at the 2026 Senior Bowl by earning MVP honors, a performance that could go a long way in reshaping the narrative around his NFL potential.
Let’s be honest: Nussmeier came into this week with something to prove. After entering last college season with Heisman-level expectations and whispers of being a potential top-five pick, things unraveled quickly.
An abdominal injury derailed his campaign before it even got off the ground, and LSU’s offense never found its rhythm. The Tigers’ season spiraled, ending with a coaching change and Nussmeier on the bench.
It wasn’t the script anyone had in mind.
But the Senior Bowl offered a clean slate - and Nussmeier made the most of it.
In the game itself, his stat line was modest but efficient: 5-of-8 passing for 57 yards, an interception that wasn’t on him, and a short rushing touchdown. But this week wasn’t just about game-day numbers.
It was about how he looked in practices, in meetings, and in the eyes of NFL evaluators. And by all accounts, he checked a lot of boxes.
Scouts praised his command during drills, his ability to process quickly, and the flashes of arm talent that once made him one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the country. Even while admitting he’s still not back to 100% physically, Nussmeier looked sharper and more confident than he did at any point during his injury-riddled final season at LSU.
And that’s what matters. The Senior Bowl isn’t just a showcase - it’s a week-long job interview in front of the entire NFL.
Every throw, every rep, every conversation with a coach or GM can tilt the scales. For a quarterback in a class that doesn’t have a clear-cut pecking order after the top names, this was a massive opportunity.
Nussmeier seized it.
Let’s not forget what made him a top prospect in the first place. He’s always had the arm talent - the ability to zip throws into tight windows and stretch the field vertically.
That part of his game didn’t disappear; it just got buried under the weight of injury and a struggling offense. This week in Mobile, he reminded people of what he can do when healthy and in rhythm.
His final college numbers - 67.4% completion, 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns to five picks - don’t scream “franchise quarterback,” but they also don’t tell the full story. The offense was scaled back significantly, and the explosive plays that once defined his game were few and far between. But scouts know how to separate context from production, and this week gave them a clearer picture of who Nussmeier is - and who he can be.
With his Senior Bowl MVP in hand and momentum on his side, Nussmeier has put himself firmly back in the conversation. In a quarterback class that’s still wide open beyond the top tier, he’s now in the mix to be one of the first three or four passers off the board.
There’s still work to do - the NFL Combine, pro days, team interviews - but this week was a crucial first step. Garrett Nussmeier came to Mobile needing to change the narrative. He may have just done that.