Colton Nussmeier is the son of Doug Nussmeier, the quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, and younger brother of Garret Nussmeier, former star Marcus High School quarterback and current starter at Louisiana State University. With a last name like Nussmeier, one can’t help but think that the current Marcus quarterback would only be known as someone’s son or brother and not Colton.

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Throughout his playing career, Nussmeier has been ahead of his time. At Downing Middle School, Nussmeier started to separate himself from the competition and take his quarterback play to the next level.  

As he moved from middle school to high school, the difference between the speed of the game was night and day. After moving to highschool, he found that he was surrounded by players who trusted him, but also found out that he could trust his teammates for once.  Along with being named the starting quarterback, he finally felt that he was truly becoming a part of the team and had finding his place. 

As a freshman, during the bi-district playoff game against McKinney, Nussmeier got some of his first snaps with the varsity. In the beginning of the game, Marcus got off to a strong start scoring 10 points in the first quarter only trailing McKinney by one. With the momentum they had, Marcus for sure thought the game was going to be a close one. At the quarter change, Marcus went into the second quarter confidently but McKinney started to take advantage of the fatigued defense.

With the defense holding Mkinney to only 10 points, the team started to fall tired and started to make little mental errors that led to the Mckinney offense scoring 20 points in the second quarter and Marcus scoring zero. With all of the big breakaway plays Mckinney made, the team morale dropped significantly which let go of the momentum that Marcus had in the first quarter. Despite the lead that McKinney was gaining on Marcus, Nussmeier was determined to finish the game strong, leading the team to three more touchdowns. Despite the loss, Nussmeier stayed positive and played his very best until the very end, but the loss was still difficult for him and the team to accept.

Playing on the varsity while being so young, Nussmeier had worries that he wasn’t going to fit in and be treated like a true sophomore; however, the coaches made sure that didn’t happen, especially quarterbacks Coach Talon Smith. During the first practices of the 2024-2025 season, Nussmeier was not what some would call a leader. Having to lead the offense as a sophomore can be a difficult role to fill. Even though Nussmeier had self doubts, his teammate and coaches knew he was up for the challenge.  

From the very beginning, Coach Smith knew that Nussmeier’s potential was limitless considering how mature and poised Nussmeier is despite being so young.

“He was a freshman last year and came in and played in the playoff game and made a bunch of big plays,” Coach Smith said ”His process and his feet, just his ability to be a playmaker, he’s improved in every way”.

Most may think that being in a family that’s so heavily involved in football means you have to be the best and uphold a huge family expectation, overlooking the fact that Nussmeier is alongside teammates he plays with.

“I feel like I have to uphold a high standard more for my teammates because they’re the ones I play for,” Nussmeier said. 

When you’re a guy who makes a bunch of plays like he does, when you say something, people listen.[/pullquote]Because he isn’t always the loudest, Nussmeier finding his voice was a crucial stepping stone in his journey to becoming a true quarterback. Being vocal is a must for a good quarterback, and Nussmeier knew that was the only thing he lacked.

“Last year he was more quiet and non-initiative, but over the spring and summer, he’s become a great leader and a great teammate,” running back Isaiah Keliikipi said. “He allows everyone to have more trust in the team which causes players to have more passion for the game.”   

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Despite his youth, Nussmeier is finding his place on the team as the starting varsity quarterback, eliminating worries that his lack of experience wouldn’t allow him to fill this role.  It is clear to Coach Smith that he earned this important position with hard work and dedication. 

“He’s one of those guys that lead by example first, when you’re a guy who makes a bunch of plays like he does, when you say something, people listen,” Coach Smith said. “He’s grown in that way too.”

Nussmeier’s growth hasn’t always been physical or about being a leader. As the team grew, Nussmeier grew along with them and truly found his love for the team.

“I love Marcus, the atmosphere and team is great,” Nussmeier said.

Since being named “QB1,” Nussmeier understood he had to take a leadership role on the team faster than he may have intended, but the coaches were confident he was up for the challenge. 

“I think his maturity is number one, he’s grown up, ” Coach Smith said. “Just watching him mature on and off the field is probably his biggest area of growth”  

As a player, there are on and off days – the coaches acknowledge that fact, but they hold the team to a high standard, allowing as few mistakes as possible. 

When Nussmeier started playing with the varsity, he said he began to realize that there’s more to the game than just football. There’s a whole new level than just playing for yourself.  There is trust that the players will uphold that standard with each other. 

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The crowd roars, the play clock counts down; it’s the first game of the season, and the score against Keller is tied, 7-7. Nussmeier is out and nobody knows why. With Nussmeier on the sideline, Marcus did not lose their momentum and continued to play the best they could.

Jake Torgeson is under center and calls set. Torgeson gives a sign and wide receiver Rhett Garza runs a jet sweep. The ball snaps as Garza is in motion, the linemen hold their blocks, but one player still gets through the line; Garza stumbles but he stays on his feet. 

Garza had more leverage to the outside and kept his path wide and dove over the goalline for the touchdown that put Marcus in the lead. 

All along, Nussmeier was on the sideline supporting his teammates as they ran off the field. While injured, he remained positive even though he wasn’t in the game. 

After the game clock hit zero, everyone cheered as they had won the first game. Nussmeier was out for most of the game, but he remained a good teammate and encouraged throughout the whole game and congratulated the team on a big win. 

Looking back to before he was on varsity, being out of the game would have meant the game was over for Nussmeier, but that was the furthest from the truth when he was injured during the game. He realized that he’s surrounded by his teammates who trust him so the least he could do was trust his team.

 “He’s starting to use his voice a little more and starting to become a little more trusting of his teammates,” Coach Smith said. “[He] realizes he’s not alone which gives him a real reason to play.”