LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier Receives First Round Grade

Right when I turned on the film of LSU quarterback (QB) Garrett Nussmeier, it was apparent that he has what it takes to lead an NFL franchise successfully.

It was first apparent in his body language on game film and by the way he carried himself on the field. He has this swag and confidence along the lines of former LSU (and current Bengals) QB Joe Burrow. Granted, he does not have the same killer instinct that Burrow has, but he does have similar swag.

Nussmeier carries himself like an NFL franchise QB.

We didn’t get a chance to see a whole lot of Nussmeier last season due to the fact he only saw spot duty here and there filling in for LSU’s starter last season (and Commanders’ 2024 first-round draft pick) QB Jayden Daniels, but he showed enough.

The biggest concern I had on game film was he looked like a different QB when he filled in with a big lead versus the games he came into when LSU was trailing (Missouri and Alabama), but he hit the snooze button on that concern in the Reliaquest Bowl against Wisconsin. LSU was mostly playing from behind the entire game, but Nussmeier, making his first start, kept battling through it and then threw what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown with a little over three minutes to go (35-31).

Something clicked for Nussmeier in that game. I could see it on film. He stepped into the role and made it his team.

Fast mental processing

Nussmeier gets the football out of his hand fast, a key predictor of success in the NFL.

Not only does throw quickly, but he also shows the ability to change his mind in a split-second and throw in another direction. This makes life more difficult for defenders because they don’t know where he’s going to throw until the last second.

Nussmeier has quick movements in the pocket too. In 78 passing attempts in 2023, he was not sacked. In 84 passing attempts in 2022, he was sacked once.

NFL arm

Not only can Nussmeier make fast throwing decisions, but he can zip his passes around at the short-to-intermediate route level (0-19 yards). He further proves his arm on rollouts when he guns it downfield without needing to set his feet.

Nussmeier also can throw some beauties deep ⎯and he put a nice arc under the ball. He completed three of eight of those attempts (37.5%) that I charted.

Biggest concern

It’s a tendency that showed up last season and that is his struggles on higher-pressure throws on 3rd downs or in the red zone. That red zone concern lingered into the “offense scripting” portion of LSU’s Spring Game as well. On errant throws into the endzone throughout this film study, several times the ball either carried receivers to the point they couldn’t stay in bounds or passes sailed completely out of their reach.

No doubt, when he is relaxed and free-flowing, he can fit the ball into tight throwing windows all over the field, until he has to.

#13 Garrett Nussmeier 6-foot-2, 205 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Summer Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 1.1% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of July 13, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: Grambling, Mississippi State, Missouri, Army, Alabama, and Wisconsin (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Naturally gifted pure pocket passer. Looked crisp, alert, and hungry. Good energy level. Excitement. High football IQ. Has command of the offensive playbook. Fancy ball handling. NFL upper body throwing motion. Inconsistent footwork. Goes through progressions regularly, but sometimes locks in with targets. Decent placement and accuracy (2023: 61.5% completion percentage). Five pass breakups in six games (1.2 per game average). Too dependent on natural arm strength. Big play capability. Downfield minded. Athletic behind the line of scrimmage, but not a runner (two seasons: two carries). Can roll out or climb the pocket and fire.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Accurate on third downs?

2. How does he look throwing in the red zone?

3. Ball security?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.