Why LSU's Garrett Nussmeier is sliding down NFL Draft board

Garrett Nussmeier entered the 2025 college football season as a possible first-round pick.

As the 2026 NFL Draft's fifth round rolls on, though, the quarterback from LSU hasn't gotten drafted yet.

It's at least a bit surprising.

Many people had him ranked as high as the QB3 in this draft class behind just Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson.

That's not the way it is playing out, though.

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Why isn't Garrett Nussmeier getting drafted?

This might start with Nussmeier's injury. He missed four games in the 2025 season with an abdominal injury, and he played through pain in other games.

That doesn't seem like it can be it, though. Nussmeier was an obvious star in 2024 before his level regressed in 2025.

Whatever the reason, this is what can happen with quarterbacks. If a team doesn't need a starter, and they don't think a player can develop into a starter, there's no reason to draft one particularly high.

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Nussmeier should still get drafted.

Nussmeier could still be an NFL starter down the road.

For now, he has to wait his turn.

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