Why did Shough leave Oregon?
Wreck ‘Em Red: “Shough started every game for the Ducks last year but now he’s transferring to Texas Tech. Why is he seeking a new home if he already had a starting job in Eugene?”
Justin Phillips:
"“Tyler Shough came to Eugene as one of the top passers in high school. However, things did not work out for him to become the heir apparent to Justin Herbert. There were times this past season that we saw the talent, but more times that we did not. “In many cases, it was not Shough’s fault. The offensive line did not give him adequate time to throw. He was not able to go through all his check-downs or he missed a defender. “As far as why he left the Ducks. I honestly think Shough saw the writing on the wall in a way. He split time with Anthony Brown toward the end of the year and Brown showed better composure and his experience when he was on the field. Oregon also likely [signed] the best QB recruit to ever come into the program in Ty Thompson arriving for the 2021 season. “The QB battle will likely be between Brown and Thompson. Unfortunately, after a subpar season with Oregon, I think Tyler decided he needed to reset and restart.”"
Thoughts:
There appears to be nothing all that special about Anthony Brown, who essentially split reps with Shough this year at Oregon. During his time at both Oregon and Boston College, he’s completed just 55.2% of his passes and had a passer rating of only 127.8. Thus, the fact that Shough couldn’t differentiate himself from that caliber of player is a bit concerning.
As for Ty Thompson, he appears to be quite the prospect. Rated the No. 39 overall player and the No. 4 pro-style QB in the United States, Thompson is a potential walk-in starter.
But doesn’t that situation sound similar to what Shough is walking into in Lubbock? He will have to compete with an unspectacular veteran QB in Henry Colombi and a big-time true freshman recruit in 4-star signee Behren Morton.
If Shough wasn’t keen on competing for his job in Eugene, I don’t know why he would assume that he wouldn’t have to compete for one in Lubbock. Perhaps he was given a guarantee by Matt Wells and Sonny Cumbie or perhaps he simply feels he’ll get a better shake from a new staff. But by no means did Shough do enough in Oregon for us to simply anoint him the answer at QB for 2021. That’s a job that he should have to earn.