Louisiana State University (LSU) quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is one of the cover athletes of the deluxe edition of EA Sports’ College Football 26, the second release of the revived series after an 11-year hiatus.
The 23-year-old grew up playing the game and calls it a “blessing” to be on the cover.
“So thankful to be on the cover with all these different great athletes and great coaches,” Nussmeier said in an exclusive interview with Esports Insider.
“It’s an unbelievable game. It’s run by a great group of people, and so I had a lot of fun out there in Los Angeles at the shoot, getting to get to know the different parts of the team out there. I’m very excited for the game. Counting down the days ’till it comes out.”
Nussmeier also highlighted that he’ll play all of the game modes when the game is released, which is due to come out July 10th.
“I’ll definitely play Road To Glory, definitely play dynasty, also play the College Football Playoff mode for sure,” Nussmeier said. “I definitely play all the game modes.”
Nussmeier highlighted that NCAA Football 13 with Robert Griffin III on the cover and NCAA Football 14 with Denard Robinson on the cover are his two favourites.
“I like the art on RGIII,” said Nussmeier. “That was cool. Obviously, everybody knows the Denard Robinson, that’s the last one made. That was the OG, as we say online.”
Nussmeier: I Want To Run More, Limit Turnovers This Season
Nussmeier is entering a big year as he prepares for his senior season. The 23-year-old is anticipated to be one of the top-rated quarterback prospects of the 2026 NFL Draft after having a successful first season as the starting quarterback of the Tigers.
Nussmeier — who is the son of former quarterback Doug Nussmeier — ranked in the top 10 in the nation across major passing categories such as completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Despite that success, Nussmeier is still hungry to improve as he enters his senior season after the Tigers finished last year 9-4 after peaking with a No. 8 ranking in the country.
“I want to use my legs more at times,” stated Nussmeier when asked where he wants to improve. “Taking care of the football, those are some areas that I’ve been focused on. As far as little details, I won’t get into those, I’m focused on being the best leader I can. I have team goals that are at the top of my mind. That’s my main focus. I just come with the mindset every day to achieve those.”
As Garrett Nussmeier prepares for his final season in college, the 6-foot-2 quarterback has been spending time on the field looking to improve.
The fifth-year senior recently spent time with Arch Manning and the Mannings at Manning’s Passing Academy, alongside many other top-ranked quarterbacks.
“It’s an awesome experience,” said Nussmeier of the Manning Passing Academy. “This is my third year at the Manning Passing Academy, just to be around all the guys across the country. There’s a lot of relationships there with guys that I’ve known for a long time, and to build new ones as well.
“This is a really, really, really good opportunity to get around a lot of like-minded guys and pick their brains,” Nussmeier continued. “Also, to get around Eli and Peyton and Mr. Archie and talk to them about different things. It’s a really cool experience.”
Nussmeier: ‘Rooting For Arch’ Manning To Excel
Garrett Nussmeier went on to mention that all the “big” quarterback names were at the academy, most of whom he’s familiar with, considering they’ve all participated in the same camps coming out of high school. He says his former LSU quarterback teammates, Walker Howard and Max Johnson, were there.
Arch Manning has high expectations as he prepares for his starting season with the Texas Longhorns, compounded by the fact that he comes from the legendary Manning family.
Although both Manning and Nussmeier play at big-time SEC schools with championship expectations, Nussmeier told Esports Insider that he’s “definitely rooting” for Arch considering he’s been friends with the Manning family for many years.
“Obviously we’re both high-level competitors,” added Nussmeier. “We both play for two schools have the same goal. We know and both plan to compete for the same goal. I’m definitely rooting for Arch. I think he’s a really good player. I love his swagger. I love his confidence, and I’m very excited to see his first season start, and I think he’s going to tear it up.”
Nussmeier is obviously close with the younger Manning and other college quarterbacks his age. He teamed up with Jayden Daniels for two seasons when Daniels was the starter for the Tigers during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. While Nussmeier is very familiar with Daniels, he has not worked out with him or LSU alum Joe Burrow this offseason.
However, he makes sure to point out the tremendous influence that Daniels had on him during their two seasons together.
“I spent two years with Jayden; I got there right after Joe had left,” said Nussmeier. “It was a year in between, but definitely I learned a good bit from Jayden. On the field we’re two very different players, so that was very hard for me to kind of learn there. But just the way he interacted around the building and the way his work ethic is, definitely learned (from him). I’m very grateful for my time around him.
“Obviously there are a lot of really great LSU quarterbacks that have been around, so I’ve been fortunate to meet Joe a couple times and get to talk to him about some things,” Nussmeier continues. “So yeah, it’s definitely been good.”
