LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier slides out of round three, remains available

Former LSU football quarterback Garrett Nussmeier remains available after three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Nussmeier was not selected on Day 1 or Day 2, watching several QBs go off the board instead. This is somewhat of a surprise.

Entering the draft, Nussmeier was projected to be the third quarterback drafted. Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson were both first-round picks on Thursday. On Friday, most analysts thought Nussmeier would be the next passer to find a home.

Instead, Drew Allar and Carson Beck were picked by the Steelers and Cardinals, respectively, while Nussmeier remained waiting for a call. The exact reasons for Nussmeier's slide are unclear. Nussmeier underwhelmed in 2025 as he struggled with injuries and poor offensive line play, but Nussmeier was building momentum after strong performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

Earlier this month, reporting revealed a cyst was responsible for Nussmeier's oblique pain throughout the 2025 season. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that doctors said there was "doctors say, there is no short- or long-term risk" for Nussmeier. Former LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier underwent tests at the NFL combine that revealed a cyst on his spine — the root cause of the persistent oblique pain that derailed his 2025 season, sources say.