Ex-LSU coach Brian Kelly lobbies for Garrett Nussmeier ahead of NFL Draft
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Former LSU head coach Brian Kelly said on CBS Sports this week that injuries were to blame for Garrett Nussmeier’s off season in 2025.
“The injuries really set him back this year,” Kelly said earlier in the week when making an appearance on the CBS Sports news desk. “Staying healthy is going to be really important. If he does, he’s going to deliver the ball to playmakers.”
Prior to the 2025 season, Nussmeier was being talked about as a first-round NFL Draft pick. Some even wondered if he could build on his breakout 2024 campaign and become the first quarterback taken.
That obviously did not happen. The only consistency in Nussmeier’s game last fall was the presence of injuries. He threw for 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns against 5 picks in 9 games before being shut down for the year.
Nussmeier threw 35 times for just 168 yards in the loss to Texas A&M that officially ended Kelly’s tenure. Two weeks later, he threw 21 times for 121 yards in what was his final game as a Tiger.
Now, Nussmeier is projected to be a third-round pick. Maybe that’s a blessing in disguise. First-round selections for quarterbacks carry a tremendous amount of weight. Passers taken in later rounds are generally afforded more time to learn before being leaned on.
Kelly said he’s excited to see what the future holds for the son of an NFL coordinator.
“He has an incredible football IQ and he has an incredible off-platform throwing ability,” Kelly said. “He doesn’t just need to be a three-step drop. He can throw it sidearm, he can move, he can escape. I just love the kid and can’t wait to see what happens in the NFL.”
The 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23 in Pittsburgh. The second and third rounds take place on April 24. The draft concludes with the final 4 rounds on April 25.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
