Colton Nussmeier Ruled Ineligible at Denton Ryan

It has been a roller coaster week for Texas high school football. First John Meredith III, and now Colton Nussmeier. Two of the most anticipated players in the state have been ruled ineligible to play varsity football in the span of days.

Colton Nussmeier transferred from Flower Mound Marcus to Denton Ryan during the offseason following his junior year. On June 16th, a district executive committee ruled him ineligible for varsity football for the 2026 season after determining the transfer was made for athletic purposes.

‍ ‍Last season Nussmeier completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,390 yards and 12 touchdowns with only one interception before a knee injury cut his year short after just eight games. He also rushed for 278 yards and three more scores in that same limited time. Eight games. Those numbers in a full season would have been something special at Denton Ryan.

‍ ‍Every transfer in Texas requires a Previous Athletic Participation Form where the previous school's administration signs off on whether the move was made for athletic purposes. Marcus officials indicated on that form that the transfer was athletically motivated. When the case went to a district executive committee vote the result was a 3-3 tie and under UIL rules a tied vote defaults back to what the PAPF says. The form said athletic transfer. The ruling followed.

Nussmeier has the right to appeal and that is the next step.‍ ‍Denton Ryan is a three-time state champion and one of the most respected programs in 5A Division I. They went 12-2 last season and came into 2026 with legitimate state championship expectations built around a roster that now has to answer a major question at quarterback. The Raiders have been here before - this program does not panic and it does not make excuses. But replacing a quarterback of Nussmeier's caliber before the season even begins is a significant challenge that nobody in Denton saw coming when the offseason started.

The appeal is pending. Denton Ryan is waiting.

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