Garrett Nussmeier is a Work in Progress

The thing that impressed me most about LSU quarterback (QB) Garrett Nussmeier in 2024 was how natural he looked in the starting role despite coming into the season with one previous start under his belt in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Nussmeier, whose dad Doug was a former college QB and is the current offensive coordinator with the Saints, looked like a fish in water taking over for former LSU starting QB, Jayden Daniels.

Growing up around the game only helps Nussmeier.

It was astonishing from the opening kickoff in 2024 how comfortable he looked. However, the lack of experience did show up as well. The season also seemed to wear on him the longer it went on.

He cooled off for six games.

Good signs

Nussmeier moves around in the pocket well and shows the ability to throw off the platform from different arm angles. This creates clearer and less cluttered throwing windows without defensive linemen’s arms and hands in the way.

He also works the entire field and spreads the ball around, which wears out the defense.

Aggressive and determined

Aggression wins, and Nussmeier shows he has that highly competitive edge.

He’s a dawg

Nussmeier comes right back after a bad throw and throws the ball down the defense’s throat.

He also likes to attack downfield and to go deep. I charted 38/91 (41.7%) on passes traveling 20+ yards.

It looked like he got injured against Texas A&M and Oklahoma, but there was no keeping him down or out.

A couple more traits to add to the list

Nussmeier had a 2.67-second time to throw (Pro Football Focus) in 2024, and that led to taking fewer sacks (16).

His ball placement also doesn’t suffer much as a result of him getting the ball out of his hand quickly.

Fine tuning

While all of the things outlined are highly desirable core traits in a franchise NFL quarterback, it’s a good thing that Nussmeier elected to return to LSU for the 2025 season.

Nussmeier wasn’t ready on film for the NFL yet.

This prospect needs to continue to catch up to everything he’s been taught to do, and he needs to show he can get it done in pressure situations.

Nussmeier also needs to show he can be consistent throughout an entire season’s schedule.

#13 Garrett Nussmeier 6-foot-2, 200 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Spring Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 61.9% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 29, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier Receives First Round Grade (2023: 6 games evaluated)

2024 game film evaluated: USC, Nicholls, South Carolina, UCLA, South Alabama, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and Baylor (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Comp: Cross between Joe Burrow and Matt Flynn

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

An accurate prototype behind the line of scrimmage quarterback with an inconsistent high-level pro skill set. Franchise confident quarterback aura. Has some gunslinger, improv, and risk-taking to his game. Exciting. Good instincts. Fancy ball handling. Inconsistent release times. Throws with average anticipation overall. Too many times threw after the receivers made their break. Above-average going through his progressions. Navigates well post-snap. Keeps his eyes downfield. Mobile. Athletic. Tough. Can move around and escape from a dirty pocket. Strong enough arm that he doesn’t need to set his feet to throw. Has arm confidence. Able to move off his spot and has good accuracy on the move. Can change his mind and throw it in another direction in a split second. Puts inconsistent velocity on his passes. More heat on his passes when he’s pressed. Compact equally distributed follow-through when he sets his feet. Good touch. Momentary lapses of judgment when he doesn’t read coverage, which leads to ill-advised throws (see Baylor and South Alabama). Gets a little too lax at times. Will put too much air under deep passes. Ball security 32 PBUs/13 games (2.46 average). Slight fumbling tendency. Doesn’t run much, but decent-looking when he does. Shows emotion.

What to watch for during the 2025 college football season

1. Does he melt under pressure?

2. Throwing with anticipation consistently?

3. Does he look the same game in and game out?

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.