The Nussmeier name is synonymous with the quarterback position.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is 3,352 yards away from becoming the program’s all-time leading passer. Through four seasons donning the purple and gold, he passed for 5,763 yards and 40 touchdowns. Following the regular season finale, he announced a return for a fifth year in Baton Rouge.
His father, Doug Nussmeier, is the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterbacks coach. While he currently mentors Jalen Hurts and Kenny Picket, he also worked with Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers and Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys in the same position.
Doug finished his collegiate career at Idaho as the all-time leading passer with 10,824 yards before being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 1994 NFL Draft. After six seasons of professional football, he coached in the Canadian Football League, then at the collegiate level, even winning the 2013 BCS National Championship with Alabama.
But there is another Nussmeier looking to make his mark as a quarterback — Colton Nussmeier, Garrett’s younger brother.
Colton, part of the 2027 class, is ranked as a three-star prospect by On3’s Industry Rankings, but that has more to do with how early it is in the cycle rather than where Nussmeier is expected to finish.
The system slots him as the No. 4 recruit in Texas and No. 3 at his position. The 6-foot-3, 175-pounder currently holds 13 Power 4 offers, including Ole Miss and LSU.
Nussmeier, a left-hander, plays at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, TX. He impressed at LSU’s Elite Camp, but will he end up following in his brother’s footsteps?
Following 2025, the Tigers are slated to elevate Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren with the starting role, as he’ll have two or three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Should he choose LSU, Colton would have a year to develop as a backup, just as Garrett did for two years behind Heisman winner Jayden Daniels.
LSU still has yet to secure a commitment from a quarterback in the 2026 cycle. If it fails to do so, it will be looking to add a quality arm in the 2027 class, and Nussmeier may be a great target, especially if the Tigers miss on Baton Rouge native Elijah Haven. He is the class’ top passer and ranks as the No. 3 recruit overall in the class.