​Four-star quarterback Colton Nussmeier had hoped to spend his senior year at Denton Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, but that plan will not come to fruition. Nussmeier lost his bid to regain eligibility when the University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Executive Committee denied his appeal by a 4-1 vote on Thursday, July 9. As a result, he will be eligible to compete for Flower Mound Marcus in the 2026 season, should he decide to play there.
Nussmeier’s move to the Denton area came after an injury-plagued junior season at Marcus. His family relocated with the goal of him playing at Ryan High School for his senior year, but the District Executive Committee ultimately ruled him ineligible in a vote held on Tuesday, June 16. Although the vote ended in a tie, the decisive factor was the Prior Athletic Participation Form, which indicated that Nussmeier transferred to Denton for athletic purposes.
At the time of the decision, Nussmeier was enjoying a high-profile summer. He recently competed in the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles, underscoring his rising profile on the quarterback circuit. He also announced his commitment to Georgia on June 5, a move that drew attention as he continued to balance high school prospects with his college ambitions.
Nussmeier is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in Texas. According to 247Sports, he is ranked as the No. 200 overall prospect nationally, the No. 12 quarterback, and the No. 34 player in Texas. In his last high school season, he completed 60% of his passes for 1,390 yards and 12 touchdowns, with only one interception. He also contributed on the ground, rushing 45 times for 278 yards and three touchdowns before a knee injury ended his season after eight games.
Nussmeier isn’t the only high-profile Texas football talent to face UIL eligibility challenges. Earlier on July 9, five-star cornerback John Meredith was ruled ineligible in a separate decision. Meredith, who had committed to Texas, sought to play at North Crowley, but the UIL State Executive Committee denied the appeal by a 3-2 vote.
As the various appeals unfolded, questions about transfer rules and the interpretation of athletic participation forms continued to draw attention from programs and fans across Texas, highlighting the complexities faced by student-athletes seeking to maximize their high school and collegiate opportunities.
For continued coverage of high school sports and the latest developments in UIL eligibility rulings, follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @NP_AlexMartin or via email at amartin@usatodayco.com. Additional updates and coverage can be found by following @usatodayhss on Instagram and X. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY and has been updated for ongoing context around Colton Nussmeier’s college commitment and 2026 eligibility status in Texas.