ESPN Updates 2026 NFL Draft Quarterback Rankings

NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid of ESPN updated his 2026 NFL Draft QB rankings and has LSU passer Garrett Nussmeier at No. 3 on his big board.

Nussmeier sits behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Alabama's Ty Simpson, and is projected to be a late-day 2 or early-day 3 selection in the Draft.

quote:

---

3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 203 pounds
Class: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Late Day 2, Early Day 3

Where he excels: Nussmeier entered the 2025 season with heightened expectations after a promising first year as starter. He showed flashes in 2024, throwing for 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. That had many evaluators believing that he had the potential to rise to the top of the 2026 QB class. But things didn't work out that way, as Nussmeier took a clear step back, with 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions in nine games. He battled multiple injuries in 2025, including patellar tendinitis in his knee.

Nussmeier primarily operates from the pocket and plays with fearless anticipation. He throws accurately to spots in the intermediate game while showing an excellent gauge on route depth and where his receivers will finish on passing concepts. Nussmeier has a flexible arm, allowing him to easily alter his arm slots and ball trajectories to fit passes into spots. He navigates the pocket well, is aware of outlets and gets the ball out of his hand quickly.

Nussmeier entered the predraft process wanting to show he was healthy. He checked many of the boxes during Senior Bowl week, returning to his fearless anticipatory ways as a thrower. That's part of his appeal, as Nussmeier's arm power is below average, but he isn't afraid to stretch the limits of defenses and trusts his perimeter targets.

Where he needs work: Nussmeier was reduced to attacking primarily the short area of the field last season due to LSU's scheme of quick-hitters and frequent screen passes. While he gets to unleash the occasional go ball, he averaged only 6.4 air yards per target (130th in the FBS). LSU's running game being ranked 126th in the FBS didn't help matters, either.

He also has a propensity to be a daredevil, which can be a gift and a curse. Nussmeier has sporadic moments of carelessness because of his confidence in being able to anticipate. Many evaluators feel that Nussmeier has the profile of a middle-to-late round prospect who has the talent, awareness and mentality to stay in the league for more than a decade as a backup and eventually develop into a spot starter.

---