Chargers Sign Nic Shimonek as Undrafted Free Agent

Former Texas Tech quarterback Nic Shimonek signed as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.

For the second-consecutive year, Texas Tech is send its starting quarterback to the AFC West. Nic Shimonek, the Red Raiders’ 2017 starting quarterback was signed to a free agent contract by the Los Angeles Chargers Saturday after not being selected in the NFL Draft. This comes one year after Pat Mahomes was taken No. 10 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Shimonek will join his Texas Tech teammate, Dylan Cantrell in Los Angeles. Cantrell was taken in the sixth round by the Chargers who are coached by former Texas Tech running back Anthony Lynn.

Los Angeles is not in the market for a starting quarterback with potential Hall-of-Famer Phillip Rivers still going strong. In his 14th NFL season in 2017, Rivers had one of his best performances. He threw for 4,515 yards (second in the NFL) and 28 touchdowns to lead a resurgent Los Angeles offense.

The Chargers also have a veteran backup quarterback in Kellen Clemens who has 12 years in the league under his belt. Thus, Shimonek is likely headed to Los Angeles trying to show enough potential that the Chargers decide to keep him on their practice squad and allow him to develop.

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In Shimonek’s lone season starting for Texas Tech, he threw for 3,547 yards, 30 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. However, he was inconsistent throughout the season and over the course of individual games. Shimonek seemed to struggle to perform well over an entire four quarters of play and he often struggled after halftime, especially in the 4th quarter of close games.

An invitee to the NFL Combine merely because there was a need for extra passers to throw to receivers during drills and not because he was considered a legitimate prospect, Shimonek turned heads with his strong arm. Following the event, NFL.com had the following analysis.

"“Shimonek found himself benched late in the season after a stretch of subpar second-half performances where the Tech offense failed to generate points on the board. On the surface, that does not bode well for Shimonek’s NFL chances. However, he has NFL size, pretty good accuracy and solid arm talent, so any trip into a camp gives him a shot at finding a practice squad spot.”"

Next: A Look Back at All Red Raiders Taken in Round 1

While it seems to be doubtful that Shimonek will stick with the Chargers, he has been given his opportunity. As a former transfer from Iowa who walked on at Texas Tech just looking for a shot, he parlayed an opportunity into a starting spot for his senior year. Now, he will try to do the same in the NFL.

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