Garrett Nussmeier Makes Decision in Bid to Rebuild Draft Stock
LSU senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will attend the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl, the game announced on Tuesday, as the former top prospect will look to rebuild his draft stock after a shaky senior season.
Nussmeier did not have the kind of season he had hoped for, finishing with 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, including a benching after a week nine 20-9 loss to Alabama where he only threw for 121 yards. This concluded his senior season, moving him out of first round draft pick conversations, finishing with a record of 5-4. In an attempt to improve his stock,
Nussmeier, the No. 4 quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft class according to NFL Mock Draft Database , has announced he will participate in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl, hoping to show scouts the potential they seen him flash during his junior season.
Coming into the season Garrett Nussmeier was tied second in Heisman odds (+900), trailing only Arch Manning and tied with Cade Klubnik . LSU was also top 10 in National Championship odds led by Nussmeier. In Field Yates’s pre-season mock draft , he had Garrett Nussmeier going in the first round to the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick 16. After a less than stellar season though, Nussmeier’s draft outlook has shifted dramatically. Inconsistency, questionable decision making under pressure, and LSU’s offensive struggles all contributed to scouts reevaluating his ceiling. While the raw arm talent and pocket toughness that once made him a first-round projection still appear on film, teams now see him as more of a developmental prospect rather than a day one starter. As a result, many draft analysts have slid him into the middle rounds, viewing his junior-year flashes as potential rather than proof.
The East-West Shrine Bowl now represents a crucial opportunity for Nussmeier to regain momentum. With practices heavily attended by NFL coaches, scouts, and front-office personnel, the week-long event allows quarterbacks to showcase their mechanics, command of the huddle, and ability to process defenses outside of their college system. A strong showing, particularly during practices, could help Nussmeier remind evaluators why he was once considered one of the top quarterbacks in his class.
Throughout his LSU career, Nussmeier has shown traits that NFL teams continue to value. His arm strength allows him to challenge defenses at all levels, and at his best he has demonstrated the ability to stand in the pocket and deliver throws under pressure. Brian Kelly has praised his football IQ and work ethic, stating during an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show.
“I think when you look at quarterbacks, you want to see that kind of football IQ. He’s a learner of the game,” Kelly said. “He’s always looking to be curious about something new. Then he’s got arm talent and anticipation. He can make those tight-window throws that NFL coaches really, really like.”
Qualities that appeal to teams searching for a quarterback to develop behind an established veteran. If he can refine his footwork and play with greater consistency, those attributes could once again elevate his draft outlook.
Ultimately, the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl represents a chance at redemption and a fresh evaluation for Nussmeier. A strong week of practices and a poised performance in the game could help restore confidence among NFL decision-makers. It also raises an important question that scouts will continue to debate, were Nussmeier’s struggles a reflection of his own limitations, or the result of a dysfunctional LSU program that ultimately led to the firing of Brian Kelly? With a new coaching staff incoming and Nussmeier preparing for the next level, the Shrine Bowl offers him one final opportunity to separate his individual talent from the turmoil that surrounded LSU, and prove that his NFL future is still very much intact.
That evaluation could be especially relevant for teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were once projected to target Nussmeier in the first round. With ongoing uncertainty at the quarterback position, Pittsburgh may still view him as a potential developmental option if he shows growth and command during the pre-draft process. A strong Shrine Bowl performance could rekindle interest from the Steelers and similar quarterback needy teams, turning what was once a disappointing senior season into the first step of a late draft resurgence for Garrett Nussmeier.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Garrett Nussmeier Makes Decision in Bid to Rebuild Draft Stock
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