Tyler Shough 2025 NFL Draft: Louisville QB Scouting Report
In this gifted 2025 NFL Draft class, a pro-style quarterback you need to know is Tyler Shough. He’s a poised quarterback from Central Florida with excellent physical tools and mobility. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook with this in-depth expert scouting report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Tyler Shough 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Tyler Shough’s collegiate journey is a winding tale of raw potential, injury setbacks, and eventual resurgence. A former 4-star recruit from Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona, Shough has spent time at three programs, battling adversity to showcase his full arsenal in 2024 with Louisville. At 25 years old (turning 26 by the start of the NFL season), he’s an older prospect with a checkered injury history, but his blend of size, arm talent, and experience makes him a developmental quarterback with backup-starter upside.
HT: 6047
WT: 219
40: 4.63
ARM: 2968
Strengths:
- Physical Tools: At his size, Shough has the prototypical frame NFL teams covet in a pocket passer. His arm strength is above average, and he can drive the ball into tight windows on intermediate routes and layering deep shots with decent touch.
- Play-Action Ability: Thrives in structured play-action schemes, where he can set his feet and deliver with velocity. Louisville’s offense leaned heavily on this in 2024, and Shough consistently hit receivers in stride off bootlegs and fakes.
- Experience in Pro-Style Concepts: Having played under multiple systems (Oregon’s spread, Texas Tech’s air raid, Louisville’s hybrid), he’s comfortable taking snaps under center and working through full-field progressions. Pre-snap recognition improved markedly in his final year.
- Poise in Big Moments: Showed toughness in high-stakes games, particularly against Clemson and Miami. He doesn’t shy away from physicality and will stand in the pocket to take a hit while delivering the ball.
- Mobility When Needed: Shough is not a dual-threat by any stretch, but he can escape pressure and pick up first downs with his legs. His 4.63 forty time suggests sneaky athleticism for his size.
Areas for Improvement:
- Injury History: The red flag looms large. Multiple collarbone injuries, a broken fibula, and other ailments limited him to just 42 career games across seven seasons. Durability concerns will weigh heavily on his draft stock.
- Age: At 26 by his rookie season, Shough’s developmental ceiling is lower than younger prospects. Teams may view him as closer to a finished product, limiting long-term upside.
- Inconsistent Anticipation: While improved in 2024, Shough still struggles to throw receivers open consistently. Too often waits for targets to break before releasing, leading to late throws that won’t fly in the NFL.
- Under Pressure Decision-Making: When the pocket collapses, his mechanics can erode. He tends to drift backward rather than step up, resulting in off-balance throws or sacks (29 sacks taken in 2024). He needs to quicken his internal clock.
- Deep Ball Inaccuracy: While he has the arm to stretch the field, his deep ball placement is inconsistent. Too many overthrows or underthrows force receivers to adjust rather than hit them in stride.
Conclusion:
Overall, Shough’s journey speaks to his resilience. Multiple transfers and injuries could’ve broken a lesser competitor. However, he kept grinding. Coaches rave about his work ethic and football IQ—often the first in the facility, breaking down film. His maturity suggests he’s ready for the NFL’s mental demands. However, some scouts question if his ceiling is capped due to age and physical wear.
Shough profiles as a high-end backup with spot-starter potential in the right system. His skill set aligns best with a West Coast or Shanahan-style offense that emphasizes play-action, rhythm throws, and occasional deep shots. Teams like the Rams, 49ers, or Browns could be fits if they’re looking for a developmental QB behind an established starter. He needs time to refine anticipation and pocket presence. However, he could see the field early in a pinch.
Like Nick Mullens, Shough has a similar play style and size but lacks elite traits. However, he can execute in a structured offense. Despite his age, he can bring experience early in his career and will be a solid backup quarterback at worst.
Round Grade: 3rd Round
Stats: Per Sports Reference
| Season | Team | G | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
| 2018* | Oregon | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2019* | Oregon | 5 | 12 | 15 | 80 | 144 | 3 | 0 | 226.6 |
| 2020* | Oregon | 7 | 106 | 167 | 63.5 | 1559 | 13 | 6 | *160.4* |
| 2021* | Texas Tech | 4 | 64 | 92 | 69.6 | 872 | 6 | 3 | 164.2 |
| 2022* | Texas Tech | 7 | 106 | 177 | 59.9 | 1304 | 7 | 4 | 130.3 |
| 2023* | Texas Tech | 4 | 67 | 111 | 60.4 | 746 | 7 | 4 | 130.4 |
| 2024* | Louisville | 12 | 244 | 389 | 62.7 | 3195 | 23 | 6 | 148.1 |
| Career | 42 | 599 | 951 | 63 | 7820 | 59 | 23 | 147.7 |
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