Garrett Nussmeier QB LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Garrett Nussmeier QB LSU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 12/13/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.82 seconds (52%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 22.10 DOB: 02/06/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PLAY STYLE: Pocket Passer | |
Last Updated: 12/13/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2026 | |
40 time: 4.82 seconds (52%*) | |
Age: 22.10 DOB: 02/06/2002 | |
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Overall Rating: | 85.4 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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77% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Release Speed: |
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92% |
Short Passing: |
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80% |
Medium Passing: |
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87% |
Long Passing: |
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93% |
Rush/Scramble: |
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75% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#52
Position rank:
#6
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College Games: 28 College Snaps: 1264 | ||
College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Bo Nix - Oregon |
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83% |
J.J. McCarthy - Michigan |
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70% |
Matt Corral - Ole Miss |
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69% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Garrett Nussmeier, hailing from Lake Charles, Louisiana, emerged as a four-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. Ranked as the 14th-best quarterback in the country and the 84th overall player by 247Sports’ Composite rankings, Nussmeier has completed 129 of 219 career passes for 1,720 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions while serving primarily as a backup at LSU. His high school career at Marcus High in Flower Mound, Texas, included over 8,000 passing yards and 83 touchdowns.
Nussmeier's college highlights include a record-setting performance in the 2022 SEC Championship game, where he passed for 294 yards and two touchdowns in one half against Georgia. In the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl, he led LSU to a 35-31 comeback victory over Wisconsin, completing 31 of 45 passes for 395 yards and three touchdowns, earning the game's Most Valuable Player award. Over three seasons, he has demonstrated his ability to step up in crucial moments and perform under pressure.
Academically, Nussmeier has been recognized on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in both 2021 and 2022. He has also shown leadership and dedication on the field, consistently preparing as if he were the starter despite playing behind Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. Now, entering his fourth season, Nussmeier takes on the role of starting quarterback for LSU for the first time in his career, poised to lead the team in the upcoming season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite arm talent with the ability to make all NFL-level throws, showcasing exceptional velocity and touch on deep balls
- Quick release and compact throwing motion, allowing for rapid decision-making in the pocket
- Demonstrates advanced football IQ and ability to read defenses, likely influenced by his NFL coaching pedigree
- Exhibits poise under pressure - had a clutch performance in the ReliaQuest Bowl
- Possesses the mobility to extend plays and pick up yards with his legs when necessary
- Shows consistent accuracy and ball placement on short and intermediate routes
- Displays natural leadership qualities and commands respect in the huddle
- High character individual with strong work ethic and dedication to film study
- Gunslinger - with an arm and play style that draws comparisons to Brett Favre
- Strong football lineage, his father Doug Nussmeier, is a former NFL quarterback and current quarterbacks coach for the Chargers
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited starting experience at the collegiate level, with only one career start under his belt
- Needs to improve ball security and decision-making
- Frame is on the leaner side for an NFL quarterback, raising potential durability concerns
- Occasionally relies too heavily on arm strength, leading to forced throws into tight coverage
- Must continue to refine footwork and mechanics to improve overall consistency
Scouting Report: Summary
Nussmeier boasts exceptional arm talent and thrives under pressure, showcasing the ability to deliver pinpoint passes from both clean pockets and amid chaos. His quick processing and accuracy in high-stakes situations suggest he's primed for the next level. As he steps into the starting role at LSU, one of college football's powerhouses, scouts will be laser-focused on how he performs against the elite defenses of the SEC over a full season.The young quarterback's gunslinger mentality is a double-edged sword. While it produces highlight-reel plays, it can also lead to ill-advised throws and turnovers. To reach his ceiling, Nussmeier must improve his consistency and fine-tune his mechanics, particularly his throwing motion. His pocket presence is a definite strength, but he lacks the elite mobility to consistently extend plays outside the pocket, making him heavily reliant on solid protection from his offensive line.
Looking ahead to the NFL, Nussmeier projects as a prospect with legitimate starting potential. His leadership qualities and preparation habits are standout traits that provide a rock-solid foundation for his development. The 2024 season looms large for Nussmeier's draft stock. If he puts up stellar numbers and finds himself in the Heisman conversation, he could easily hear his name called on Day 1 of the draft. However, if he fails to meet expectations, he's more likely to land as a mid-to-late round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Written By:
Bill Miller (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Garrett Nussmeier (Overall Rank)
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.