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Overlooked College Football QB Receives Award From NFL Draft Prospects

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Jan 31, 2025 5:36 PM ET

Awards are in at the Senior Bowl following three days of practices, and a previously overlooked quarterback has earned high praise for his performance.

The annual event from Mobile, Alabama, provides NFL draft prospects opportunities to showcase their skills against some of the top competitors in the class.

And after practices concluded on Thursday, the National Team and American Team voted on the top performers.

Determined by opposing defensive players, Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough was named as the top passer for the National Team, according to Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy.

Shough's group also featured Oregon quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Dillon Gabriel, who set the record for the second-most career-passing yards in FBS history this season (18,722).

Shough's collegiate journey was lengthy one, as the former four-star recruit was a part of the 2019 quarterback class that also featured Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) and Justin Fields (Steelers).

Shough, the former No. 1 player in Arizona (Chandler), originally joined Oregon and spent three seasons with the Ducks before entering the transfer portal for the first time.

He signed with Texas Tech in 2021 and went on to start each of the Red Raiders' first three games over the next three seasons, but injuries plagued the 6-foot-5, 225-pound passer.

Shough was limited to just 15 games over during that span, though he did show promise when healthy, leading Texas Tech to a 4-0 record as a starter in 2022 with a win over Mississippi State in the Texas Bowl.

After a season-ending injury limited his super senior-season, Shough entered the transfer portal for a second time in 2023. He signed with Louisville under head coach Jeff Brohm and put together a career year.

Shough helped lead the Cardinals to a 9-4 season and a win over Washington in the Sun Bowl in 2024, posting career-highs of 3,195 passing yards with 24 total touchdowns to six interceptions.

The 25-year old entered the Senior Bowl as ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.'s No. 10 quarterback prospect, but is seems that Shough has bolstered his draft stock this week.

The Senior Bowl scrimmage will be held on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET (NFL Network).

It remains to be seen if Shough will receive an invite to the NFL combine (Feb. 27-March 2) ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin (April 24-26).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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