Transferring in high school football has become increasingly common across the country. Archbishop Rummel (La.) head coach Nick Monica knows that this is now the new normal. Earlier this month, he got quite the late addition to his team ahead of the 2026 season.
Senior four-star quarterback Colton Nussmeier is the new kid on the block in Metairie. The former Marcus (Texas) passer had transferred to Denton Ryan for his final year, but the UIL State Executive committee ruled him ineligible due to transferring for athletic reasons.
Still looking for a new school, Nussmeier set his sights on Louisiana and landed with Rummel. His transfer was announced on Aug. 7 — less than one month before the Raiders’ first game of the regular season on Sept. 4. This weekend, Garland Gillen of FOX 8 in New Orleans caught up with both Monica and Nussmeier as they adjust and prepare for the upcoming campaign.
“It’s 2026 and (transferring) is happening more and more. It’s coming of age now so you have to embrace it. Of course, it’s great to get a player like this and a kid that’s gonna come in — he’s not just talented, but he’s fit in really well,” Monica said. “He’s definitely developed and then he’s picking up the offense very quickly.”
“It’s been pretty hard, but I’m adapting,” Nussmeier said. In eight games as a junior for Marcus last fall, he hurled for 1,390 yards and 12 touchdowns while throwing just one interception. He also rushed for three scores.
“I think I can do anything,” he said. “I’ve got the legs to move, got the accuracy, got the arm strength. I think a big part of me is my leadership and I also think my ability to adapt in-game, extend plays and just I.D. defenses.”
The 6-foot-3.5, 200-pounder is of course quite familiar with The Boot. His father, Doug, is the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints and also played for them in the 1990s. Colton’s brother, Garrett, was born in Lake Charles and played five years of QB at LSU before getting drafted in the seventh round by the Kansas City Chiefs this year.
Colton is the No. 241 overall prospect and No. 20 QB in the 2027 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 8 senior in Louisiana.
He was one of the last blue-chip QB prospects in his class to come off the board. After weighing his options, he ultimately committed to Georgia on June 5, choosing the Bulldogs over UCLA and Arkansas, among others.
Nussmeier now gets the chance to lead Rummel as a senior and a newcomer. The Raiders enter the season as the No. 6 team in Louisiana, according to the Rivals Composite Rankings. They’ll open their regular season in Baton Rouge against University Lab, which could be led by QB Knox Kiffin, the son of new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin.
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