Garrett Nussmeier’s Senior Bowl Sendoff: A Statement Performance That Turned Heads
If you’re going to close the book on your college career, this is how you do it.
Garrett Nussmeier didn’t get the national title moment that so many dream of, but on Saturday in Mobile, Alabama, he walked off the field with something just as meaningful-validation. The former LSU quarterback led the American team to a 17-9 win over the National team in the Senior Bowl, a showcase for NFL hopefuls, and walked away with MVP honors. For Nussmeier, it was more than just a solid stat line-it was a statement.
Let’s talk about what he did on the field first. Nussmeier completed 5 of 8 passes for 57 yards and guided the American squad to two touchdown drives.
He also punched in a 3-yard touchdown run on the game’s opening series, capping a 12-play, 68-yard drive that he orchestrated with poise and precision. After crossing the goal line, he broke out a little celebratory dance in the end zone-nothing flashy, just a nod to his LSU roots.
“That was just the LSU coming out of me a little bit there,” Nussmeier said postgame on NFL Network. “I had to do a dance for some of my boys for the last time.”
And if you’ve followed Nussmeier’s journey, you know this moment meant more than just a good day at the office. The last six months haven’t been easy.
Back in August, he suffered an abdominal injury that lingered throughout the 2025 season. He gutted it out in nine games, but the injury clearly limited his ability to push the ball downfield the way he did during his breakout 2024 campaign.
There was also the November game against Alabama-a frustrating chapter. Nussmeier had the Tigers knocking on the door in Tuscaloosa, but after reaching first-and-goal at the 9-yard line, the drive stalled.
A missed opportunity followed by a 14-yard sack, and LSU settled for a field goal. Despite completing 18 of 21 passes up to that point, interim head coach Frank Wilson made the call to bench him in favor of freshman Michael Van Buren.
Nussmeier aggravated his injury in practice the following week and never saw the field again for LSU.
Fast forward to Saturday in Mobile, and you could see the weight lifted. Playing pain-free, Nussmeier looked sharp-not just in the game, but all week during practices.
He showed the kind of anticipation and touch that NFL scouts look for, and his timing with receivers was on point. Yes, he did have one interception on a tipped pass that slipped through the hands of his intended target, but it was more bad luck than bad decision.
“Garrett did a great job, obviously,” said NFL Network analyst David Carr. “He showed he can throw with anticipation.
He was coachable. I thought he did fantastic today.
The one interception, I thought could’ve been caught. Nice little RPO zone read to get in the end zone.
Garrett played really well.”
And here’s the thing-this wasn’t just a feel-good story. Nussmeier helped himself in a real way.
Heading into the week, projections for the 2026 NFL Draft had him anywhere from the fifth to the third round. But with his performance in Mobile, both in practices and in the game, he’s likely moved the needle in his favor.
Teams looking for a smart, tough, accurate quarterback with upside now have fresh tape that shows exactly what he brings to the table.
It was also a full-circle moment for Nussmeier, who wore the LSU helmet one last time and soaked in the moment with his father, Doug Nussmeier-currently the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints-on hand all week.
“It means the world to me,” Garrett said, donning a Saints cap after the game. “LSU will always be home for me.
Always bleed purple and gold no matter what. So, always rooting for those guys, and hopefully I’ll always be able to come back home.”
Nussmeier signed with LSU back in 2021 out of Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas. He waited his turn, battled through injuries, and never complained-even when things didn’t go his way. Saturday was his chance to remind everyone of what he’s capable of when healthy and given the reins.
And he delivered.
No, it wasn’t a championship. But it was the kind of performance that sticks with scouts, coaches, and fans alike. Garrett Nussmeier didn’t just end his college career-he launched the next chapter with purpose.