Prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft who have family members with past and current connections to the Indianapolis Colts franchise
Three prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft have family with current and past ties to the Indianapolis Colts franchise according to information shared in “The Beast” by Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
A large number of players in the 2026 NFL Draft class have ties to the state of Indiana. Whether that be players who played college or high school football in the state. A small number, though, actually have family with ties to the Indianapolis Colts franchise.
Each year, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler compiles one of the most in-depth draft guides on the market. He calls it “The Beast,” and, in addition to breaking down the skill sets of hundreds of prospects, he finds interesting background information about them and their families.
In this year’s class, he found that three prospects in the class have strong family ties to the Colts franchise. One that is already pretty well-known throughout the fanbase. And two others that some will find out for the first time by reading below.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs
It’s no secret that current Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has a brother in this draft class. That being Ohio State Buckeyes‘ superstar safety Caleb Downs.
Caleb is one of the highest-rated prospects in this year’s class. He will most likely hear his name called in the top 20 picks and is one of the few locks to be a first-round selection.
Sadly, the Colts won’t have a chance to reunite the brothers in Indianapolis. They traded their first-round pick to the New York Jets as part of a deal for Sauce Gardner. So even though both would have loved the idea of teaming up in the NFL, it won’t be happening this year in Indy.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier
“Doug Nussmeier was a record-setting quarterback at Idaho (1989-93) and won the 1993 Walter Payton Award as the most outstanding player in the FCS. He was drafted in the fourth round (No. 116) of the 1994 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. After playing in New Orleans (where he met Christi) for four seasons (1994-97), Doug played for the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and the CFL’s BC Lions.” – The Beast by Dane Brugler
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is one of the top signal callers in this year’s draft class. He and Ty Simpson have a chance to be the second drafted behind Fernando Mendoza. The Colts have already expressed some interest in Garrett by bringing him in for a top-30 visit.
He won’t be the first person in his family to be drafted to the NFL, though. His father is Doug Nussmeier, whom the Saints selected in the fourth round of the 1994. He went on to play in five games in his NFL career, all with New Orleans. He never appeared in a game with the Colts, but did sign with the franchise in 1998.
Penn State offensive tackle Nolan Rucci
“Rucci’s maternal grandfather (Thomas Gilburg) played football and lacrosse at Syracuse before becoming a second-round pick (No. 21) of the Baltimore Colts in the 1961 NFL Draft.” – The Beast by Dane Brugler
Last up is Penn State offensive tackle Nolan Rucci. Rucci is a mountain-like man standing at 6’8″. He began his college career at Wisconsin, where he spent the first four years. His role with the Badgers was limited to just six games and zero starts.
Rucci then transferred to Penn State for his final two seasons, where he started 18 games, including all 12 of the team’s games at right tackle this past year. He used his size and length to his advantage and finished the year by allowing only one sack. He still has ways to go before he becomes a viable run blocker.
Brugler found that Nucci’s maternal grandfather is Thomas Gilburg. Gilburg was drafted in the second round of the 1961 NFL Draft by none other than the Baltimore Colts. The offensive linemen spent five years in the NFL, all with the Colts. He started nine games and dressed in 69 during his career.
