Former LSU football quarterback Garrett Nussmeier entered the 2026 NFL Draft as the 83rd-best prospect available, according to Arif Hasan’s well-respected Consensus Big Board, which compiles player rankings from more than 100 draft analysts.
Many believed Nussmeier would be taken on Day 2 at a bare minimum, but when the draft finally finished Saturday night, Nussmeier had to wait until the seventh round to be selected. When the Kansas City Chiefs finally drafted the former Tiger, nine quarterbacks had already been taken ahead of him, shocking fans everywhere.
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Most assume Nussmeier’s dismal 2025 season, caused in large part by an injury that hampered his play all season, was the reason for his dramatic slide. However, one of the top draft analysts has said it wasn’t just that. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler appeared on The Athletic Football Show Saturday night and revealed that Nussmeier’s issues stretch beyond injuries or recent performance.
“Some of the feedback that I’ve gotten from teams, maybe he didn’t handle some of the interviews the best that he could have,” Brugler explained. “I think part of it is a lack of accountability.”
This is shocking news, given Nussmeier’s intimate understanding of how the NFL works. His father, Doug Nussmeier, is the current offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints and has 20+ years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels. If there were a quarterback you’d expect to be well-prepared for this year’s draft process, it would be Nussmeier, but it appears that wasn’t the case.
This is also far from what LSU fans would expect to hear about Nussmeier, who was named a permanent team captain ahead of the 2025 season and was awarded the prestigious No. 18 jersey for his final season, a number reserved for “the player who best represents LSU football in all areas.”
Despite falling to the 7th round, Nussmeier's situation in Kansas City isn't a bad one. He'll get to learn from Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid as he hones his craft at the next level.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Draft insider reveal why LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier fell to 7th round