Joel Thomas knows a thing or two about the Nussmeiers.
The current Saints RBs coach was teammates with Doug Nussmeier way back when as a player with the Idaho Vandals. The duo teamed up again on the coaching staff at the University of Washington in 2009, and they now currently serve as assistants on Kellen Moore's staff.
This week, though, Thomas gets to lead the next generation as one of the head coaches at the 2026 Senior Bowl, where he also gets to lead the next generation of Nussmeier. That'd be Garrett, who is looking to bolster his draft stock after a difficult and injury-marred final season at LSU.
“It’s kind of a full-circle moment," Thomas said after the first day of practice in Mobile. " ... I’ve known Garrett since 2009 and it’s pretty cool to come back here and obviously I’ve followed his career and he’s a great young man. I’m ecstatic he’s on our team.”
Thomas won't be alone in getting a close look at this year's American Team, with another trio of Saints assistants serving in coordinator roles. That group includes Saints LBs coach Peter Sirmon as defensive coordinator, Saints QBs coach Scott Tolzien as offensive coordinator and Saints special teams assistant Kyle Wilber as special teams coordinator.
The Saints have taken advantage of coaching staff roles previously at the annual showcase where they so often find draft talent, but never in such significant numbers on one staff. There's a balance that has to be struck with scouting and coaching, but it's one Thomas is familiar with, having served as an OC for the game last year when he was still a member of the Giants coaching staff.
“Information is power and we’re on the front line of getting information, so I think it’s an advantage all the way," Thomas said. "Maybe something you get in a 20-minute interview may get glossed over versus being with somebody for five days.”
The first session of open practices was held on Tuesday, with another pair of practices held Wednesday and Thursday before the game on Saturday.
THREE POINTS
1. COLE PAYTON, QB, North Dakota State (National team)
Nussmeier is the highest-profile quarterback at the Senior Bowl, but on the opposite side it's Cole Payton who I found to be the most impressive-looking prospect on Day 1. He's got the size and the arm talent that NFL offenses look for.
Payton had a few throws on Tuesday that were impressive in cold and windy conditions. It's tough to say at this point where teams will land on this year's QB class after Fernando Mendoza at the top, but I wouldn't be surprised if Payton goes a lot higher than some expect.
2. NADAME TUCKER, DE, Western Michigan (National team)
You can't argue with the production, with Tucker's 14.5 sacks tied for the most in the FBS in 2025, but he sure got my attention on Day 1 at the Senior Bowl.
He's got good -- not great -- size at the position, listed at 6-3, 250 pounds, and won with speed and strength multiple times while I was watching and he made multiple tackle prospects look silly in the process. He'll climb draft boards quickly.
3. Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
We'll shift from the small school bias for this final name, and I'll simply tell you that Washington was the most impressive (or at least productive) back I watched in the first session.
He's more of an upright runner than I'd necessarily like to see, but he runs with power, has the size to back it up (6-0, 228 pounds) and has some home run potential. He's a guy to watch.