It is never too early to evaluate quarterback depth for the 2026 NFL Draft. Even when a team is stable under center, front offices still do extensive work on passers because arm talent, toughness, and long-term upside remain premium traits across the league. For Tampa Bay, any quarterback evaluation has to start with whether the player can function within an NFL structure while also creating when things break down.
We are working through each position group this cycle. With that in mind, here is our report on LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
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Information
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Height Weight: 6-1, 205 pounds
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Hometown: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Background
Nussmeier spent five years at LSU and started for the final two seasons, appearing in 40 games with 23 starts. He finished his college career as one of the most productive passers in school history, ranking No. 2 in completions and attempts, No. 3 in passing yards, and tied for No. 4 in touchdown passes. He completed 660 of 1,032 attempts for 7,699 yards, 52 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions while posting a 15-8 record as LSU’s starter.
His 2024 season was his most complete season. Nussmeier started all 13 games, threw for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns, and led LSU to a Texas Bowl win over Baylor while earning MVP honors. He also added MVP honors in the ReliaQuest Bowl following the 2023 season and later earned Senior Bowl MVP recognition in 2026, giving him a strong postseason résumé.
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Nussmeier’s 2025 season was shortened by torso and abdominal injuries, but he still opened the year by leading LSU to a road win over Clemson and earned both Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week and SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for that performance. LSU’s staff consistently emphasized his leadership, toughness, and command of the offense, and he was named a permanent team captain while also wearing LSU’s No. 18.
Notable Stats
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77.1 overall offensive grade
Nussmeier’s 2024 season remains his clearest evaluation year, combining volume, production, and solid efficiency against SEC competition.
Skills
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Aggressive mentality pushing the ball downfield
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Comfortable operating from structure
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Experienced high-volume passer
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Shows command and leadership at the line of scrimmage
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Can extend plays when needed
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Proven production in big moments
Nussmeier wins first with confidence and arm talent. LSU’s offense was built around him once he became the full-time starter, and he showed he could handle a heavy passing workload. His 2024 PFF profile reflects that, posting an 84.5 offensive grade and an 81.3 passing grade while throwing for over 4,000 yards with 29 touchdowns. He also produced 26 big-time throws that season, showing the willingness to challenge tight windows and attack all levels of the field.
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There is also real toughness to his game. LSU’s bio makes it clear that he played through injuries and remained the emotional center of the offense. That matters when projecting quarterbacks to the next level, especially players who may need to earn trust in a quarterback room before they ever get a start.
Nussmeier is not a true dual-threat quarterback, but he is mobile enough to extend plays and avoid dead reps. His game is built more on rhythm, anticipation, and arm confidence than on dynamic rushing ability. When he is on schedule, he can distribute efficiently and keep the offense moving.
Player Summary
Garrett Nussmeier projects as a Round 2 to Round 4 selection with starter-caliber tools and a strong production résumé, but his evaluation will come down to how teams weigh his aggressive play style, injury-shortened 2025 season, and overall ceiling compared to the rest of the quarterback class. His 2024 tape gives teams the best picture of what he can be when healthy and in command.
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In Tampa Bay, Nussmeier would profile as a developmental quarterback with enough arm talent and competitive toughness to fit in a vertical passing structure. He would make sense as a long-term depth option who could be developed behind an established starter while refining consistency, decision-making, and pocket management.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Scouting report on LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier
