2022 NFL Draft: A make or break year for Tyler Shough
Tyler Shough (pronounced “Shuck”) had his road to the 2022 NFL Draft begin as a 4-star recruit out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, AZ. In addition to Oregon, where he eventually signed, Shough was offered scholarships by North Carolina, Alabama, Arizona State, California, Georgia, and Florida State.
While at Hamilton, he was friends with future National League MVP Cody Bellinger. Shough was also childhood friends with current Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy who hails from nearby Gilbert, AZ. Shough never did beat Purdy’s Perry High School team, going 0-4 against them.
That losing streak was improbably extended on January 2, 2021, when Shough’s Oregon Ducks lost the 2021 Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ, to Purdy’s Iowa State Cyclones, 34-17. While Shough played in that game, he spent the majority of it on the sideline, as Boston College transfer Anthony Brown took the reins for Oregon and played most of the second half and most of the game. Shough subsequently transferred to Texas Tech where he’ll likely play at least a year before he enters the 2022 NFL Draft.
Shough’s career before that point had appeared to be on track. He redshirted 2018, backed up future top-10 NFL draft pick Justin Herbert in 2019, and seemed all set to take the keys to the car and become the next great Oregon quarterback.
But then COVID happened and the Pac-12’s response to it (canceling fall sports on August 11, 2020, then reversing that decision six weeks later on September 24) left the conference scrambling.
After starting 2020 3-0 and scoring at least 35 points in each game, the Ducks, led by Shough, dropped consecutive road games to underdogs Oregon State and California, with Shough losing fumbles in both games and throwing two interceptions against his in-state rivals, the Beavers.
Although Shough and Oregon beat USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game, they only got there because Washington was decimated by COVID and unable to play. Anthony Brown threw for two touchdowns in that game and then ran for two more in the Fiesta Bowl, prompting Shough to enter the transfer portal with the opportunity to play right away because of his graduate transfer status.
Tyler Shough committed to Texas Tech, where he’ll have three more years of eligibility and will be trying to lead the Red Raiders to their first winning season since 2015. Many think he’ll declare for the 2022 NFL Draft after this season, especially if it goes well.