1) One QB rises above the rest. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier had plenty to gain this week, and he did a good job of reminding scouts he can still play. After two-plus months of inactivity, Nussmeier had a very solid week of practice, seemingly getting more comfortable with each passing day, and he was effective on Saturday.
Starting for the American Team, Nussmeier earned game MVP honors, leading touchdown drives on the squad’s first two possessions and connecting on 5 of 8 passes for 57 yards. He had a rushing TD and a two-point-conversion throw to Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields. Nussmeier also was held back by his tight ends, with drops by Stanford’s Sam Roush and Wyoming’s John Michael Gyllenborg, the latter of which was credited as a Nussmeier INT.
Nussmeier told NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero — the sideline reporter during Saturday’s broadcast — that he continues to rehab after an injury-plagued 2025 season but that he’s getting better each day.
Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia started for the National Team and had a solid game on a cold, windy day in Mobile, completing 10 of 13 passes for 78 yards, hitting on mostly short passes. He escaped pressure to hit North Carolina State’s Justin Joly on a nice rollout throw for 18 yards.
Pavia had some moments in Tuesday’s practice but wasn’t quite able to unlock the playmaking ability — especially as a runner — that made him a Heisman Trophy finalist in practices or the game.
Pavia was followed by North Dakota State’s Cole Payton, then Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson for the National Team. Robertson struggled, completing 1 of 5 passes and throwing a pick. Payton had some moments in earning Offensive MVP, with a 19-yard run and completions of 24, 22 and 14 yards. He also had a few errant passes and was stuffed on a two-point conversion run.
Illinois’ Luke Altmyer took over for Nussmeier for the American Team and wasn’t able to get much going, under heavy pressure at times. The final QB to appear in the game was Arkansas’ Taylen Green, who had some eye-opening moments but also some missed chances during the week. Green gained eight yards on a designed run, but he had a few shaky passes.