LSU QB Nussmeier Impresses at Senior Bowl

Quarterback's strong performance boosts his NFL draft stock

Feb. 1, 2026 at 5:55pm

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NFL draft analyst Todd McShay highlighted LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier as a standout performer at the 2026 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Nussmeier, who had a disappointing 2025 season due to an oblique injury, bounced back with an impressive showing at the all-star game, earning MVP honors after leading his team to a 17-9 victory.

Why it matters

The Senior Bowl is a crucial event for NFL draft prospects to showcase their skills in front of league scouts and coaches. Nussmeier's strong performance has helped boost his draft stock after a down year, potentially moving him up draft boards and improving his chances of being selected earlier in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The details

Nussmeier, a top-100 national prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, was a two-year starter for LSU. However, his draft stock tumbled after a tumultuous final season in Baton Rouge, where he passed for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions over nine games due to the oblique injury. At the Senior Bowl, Nussmeier impressed with his "feel for the game," according to McShay, leading touchdown drives on his team's first two possessions and finishing 5 of 8 passing for 57 yards. He also had a rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion throw.

  • Nussmeier had a disappointing, injury-shortened redshirt-senior season at LSU in 2025.
  • The 2026 Senior Bowl took place in Mobile, Alabama.

The players

Garrett Nussmeier

A quarterback prospect from LSU who had a strong performance at the 2026 Senior Bowl, earning MVP honors and boosting his NFL draft stock after a down 2025 season.

Todd McShay

An NFL draft analyst who highlighted Nussmeier as a standout performer at the Senior Bowl.

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What they’re saying

“Garrett Nussmeier is the story at quarterback. I thought he looked pretty good on the first day, second day I thought he looked really good, [third day] I thought he was -- and really the last two days -- the best quarterback. And it's not because of his size, it's not because of his elite arm, it's not because of his mobility. It's his feel for the game.”

— Todd McShay, NFL Draft Analyst

“I couldn't use my core. I've been having to just go back from the ground up and retrain myself, get back to finishing throws and rotating through the ball.”

— Garrett Nussmeier

What’s next

Nussmeier's strong Senior Bowl performance could lead to him being selected earlier in the 2026 NFL Draft than previously projected.

The takeaway

Nussmeier's ability to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and impress at the Senior Bowl has helped him regain momentum in the NFL draft process, showcasing his potential as a quarterback prospect despite the setbacks he faced.