Denton Ryan quarterback Colton Nussmeier has been ruled ineligible to compete in varsity football during the 2026 Texas high school football season following a District Executive Committee hearing on Tuesday.
The decision was made on a determination that Nussmeier’s transfer was made for athletic purposes. The vote reportedly ended in a 3-3 tie, sending the matter to the next level of the eligibility review process.
Nussmeier transferred to Denton Ryan during the offseason after previously playing at Flower Mound Marcus. The move came shortly before he announced his commitment to the University of Georgia.
The four-star quarterback is regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2027 recruiting class. He recently participated in the Elite 11 quarterback competition and is currently ranked among the nation’s top quarterbacks and overall prospects.
During the 2025 season at Marcus, Nussmeier appeared in eight games and completed 100/167 pass attempts for 1,390 yards, 12 touchdowns, and just 1 interception. He also rushed for 278 yards and three touchdowns on 45 carries.
Denton Ryan enters the upcoming season following a 13-2 campaign that saw the Raiders finish among Texas’ top-ranked teams. Nussmeier had been expected to play a major role in the program’s pursuit of another deep playoff run.
His eligibility status for the 2026 season will now depend on the outcome of the appeals process.