NFL Scout Says LSU's Garrett Nussmeier 'Reminds Me a Little' of 49ers' Brock Purdy

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, an early favorite to be the top pick in the 2026 NFL draft, is drawing comparisons to the most famous final pick in draft history.

Per ESPN's Jordan Reid, one scout for an AFC team compared Nussmeier to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

"He reminds me a little of [Brock] Purdy, but with even more confidence," the scout said. "I think [the Tigers] just weren't as good as they have been at receiver, and he pressed into some bad decisions way too much last year."

The two players do have similar physical traits. Nussmeier measured in at just under 6'1" and 204 pounds as part of LSU's spring game activities.

Purdy was the same height with slightly larger hands (9.25 inches) and eight pounds heavier (212) when he measured in at the 2022 NFL combine. The San Francisco 49ers used the final pick in that draft (No. 262 overall) on Purdy.

After starting his rookie season as the third-string quarterback in San Francisco, Purdy took over as the starter late in the year following injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.

Since being inserted into the starting lineup, Purdy has led the 49ers to a 23-13 record and an appearance in Super Bowl 58. He has thrown for 9,518 yards and 64 touchdowns, earning a five-year, $265 million contract extension in May.

The comparisons between Nussmeier and Purdy has been a popular one among scouts and talent evaluators.

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah noted in a scouting report for Nussmeier written in June that he didn't have a perfect one-to-one comparison, but Purdy was among the players he most resembled because of his "competitive nature and physical frame." Tony Romo and Andy Dalton were also cited as examples.

Despite being eligible for the 2025 draft, Nussmeier opted to return to LSU for his senior season with the goal of leading the program to a national title.

B/R's NFL scouting department has Nussmeier ranked as the second-best quarterback and No. 8 overall prospect in the 2026 draft class.

Last season marked Nussmeier's first season as the Tigers' starting quarterback. He threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and completed 64.2 percent of his attempts in 13 games.

LSU is entering this season ranked No. 9 in the preseason coaches poll released on Aug. 4. The SEC has three other teams in the top 10, including Texas (No. 1), Georgia (No. 4) and Alabama (No. 8).

The Tigers will open the 2025 campaign with a marquee game against sixth-ranked Clemson on Aug. 30 at Memorial Stadium.