Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Size:
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 200 lbs
Accomplishments:
Four-star recruit
“Garrett Nussmeier has prototypical NFL size while oozing with arm talent to deliver the ball anywhere on the field easily.”
Strengths:
Arm talent
Pocket footwork
Offensive command
Repeatable throwing motion
Concerns:
Decision-making downfield and outside the numbers
Experience
Locked into first-reads
Film Analysis:
Garrett Nussmeier backed up the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jayden Daniels, for the last two seasons and has played sparingly in relief. He threw for 1,325 yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions before making his first career start in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin on Jan. 1, 2024. He led LSU back from a two-touchdown deficit to win 35-31, throwing for 395 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Showing nerves of steel, Nussmeier rallied back from an early interception and continued to throw the ball down the field with effortless strength and accuracy. Unafraid to challenge the middle of the field, Nussmeier’s arm talent pops off the screen, and paired with his NFL frame, he’ll be on many teams' radars this season.
Nussmeier enters his fourth season in LSU’s offense and has learned from Daniels over the past two seasons. He showed calm command of the offense every time he took the field with the willingness to change plays at the line of scrimmage, demonstrating the ability to hang in the pocket to get to the backside of plays and recognize blitzes. He takes a clear picture of the defense before the snap to make his half-field decisions. He is generally a pocket quarterback who showcases a natural pocket feel and footwork in his dropbacks and makes it a point to set his feet when he can before he throws.
Nussmeier has effortless arm talent to all areas of the field and put a monstrous 60-yard completion on tape against Georgia in the SEC Championship game in 2022. He can change his arm angle to complete more difficult throws and has an efficient, repeatable throwing motion. A generally accurate quarterback, Nussmeier puts throws on his receivers with velocity to make plays in tight windows and can layer throws between defenders/zones. When the play takes him out of the pocket, he makes it a point to keep his eyes downfield to exploit the defense.
Nussmeier's biggest concern is his lack of experience; he has only started one game heading into his redshirt junior year. He’s willing to take on shaded safeties on deep balls but will throw into clear double teams more than he should. Believing he can fit a throw into most windows is an admirable trait, but he needs to learn to take what the defense gives him. LSU generated tons of yards after the catch with their receivers last season, and if Nussmeier wants to continue, he’ll need to improve ball placement to lead receivers into space. Experience will help develop reading defenses, but half-field reads are typically integrated into the offense. As he gets more comfortable, he’ll stop locking into first-reads and making throws into coverage. He hasn’t shown the ability to exploit defenses with his legs, but maybe he picked up a few things from Daniels.
Nussmeier has all the raw ability to be a top-level quarterback in college football with his arm talent, football IQ, and natural feel for the quick game. With more experience and playing time this season, he could be a surprise quarterback among the best in the game.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Winning Starter
Written By: Daniel Harms
