DENTON, Texas — Four-star quarterback Colton Nussmeier, a Georgia commit, was ruled ineligible to play his senior season of high school football at Denton Ryan after a district committee determined his transfer from Flower Mound Marcus was for athletic purposes, school officials said.
The decision came Tuesday at a District 3-5A Division I executive committee meeting, following a 3-3 tie in the vote on his eligibility. Under University Interscholastic League (UIL) rules, the tie defaulted to the Previous Athletic Participation Form (PAPF) signed by officials at his previous school, which indicated the move was athletics-related.
Nussmeier, a 6-foot-3.5 left-handed passer and son of New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, transferred to Denton Ryan during the offseason. He had committed to Georgia earlier this month. His brother, Garrett Nussmeier, was selected in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Denton Ryan, a three-time state champion program, is a perennial power in Class 5A Division I. Nussmeier’s status leaves the Raiders without one of the state’s top signal-callers for the season that begins in late August.
Marcus High School head coach Mike Alexander told the Dallas Morning News that he marked the PAPF based on his assessment. “I checked what I feel. Given the proximity of the relocation, I checked yes,” Alexander said.
Doug Nussmeier disputed the characterization. “This move was not made for athletic purposes,” he said. “Colton was not recruited, Colton was in good academic standing at Marcus and holds a near 4.0 GPA. He was in good standing with the Marcus football team. ... This move is not about football.”
The family cited changes including downsizing and growth opportunities for their son. They are renting in Denton while selling their Flower Mound home, according to statements at the hearing.
Nussmeier can appeal the ruling to the UIL state executive committee, though such reversals are rare. It was not immediately clear where he might play his senior season if the decision stands, with options potentially including a return to Marcus or other arrangements.
The case is the latest in a series of high-profile eligibility rulings involving transfers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area under strict UIL rules prohibiting moves for athletic purposes. Nussmeier joins recent examples such as quarterback Bryson Kennedy and cornerback John Meredith III in facing similar determinations.
Denton Ryan and UIL officials have not released further comments on the matter. The family has not detailed immediate next steps beyond the potential appeal.
