$4 million college football QB viewed as ‘very undersized’ NFL prospect

LSU concluded the 2025 football season with a 7–6 record, ending with a 38–35 loss to Houston in the Texas Bowl. The season's midseason struggles led to the removal of Brian Kelly as head coach on October 26, 2025. Senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who entered the season with high expectations following a successful 2024 campaign, experienced a challenging year. Despite being a preseason Heisman candidate and a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft, Nussmeier's performance declined. He played in nine games, completing 67.4% of his passes for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 133.8.

Nussmeier began the year as one of the highest-paid college players with an NIL valuation of approximately $4 million, which intensified scrutiny as his performance waned. Pro Football Focus draft analyst Trevor Sikkema evaluated Nussme