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Texas Tech Football: 3 seniors who could be in the NFL in 2024

By Maitland Rutledge

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Tyler Shough #12 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Tyler Shough #12 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Tyler Shough run
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 28: Tyler Shough #12 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders rushes with the ball ahead of Trey Washington #25 of the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at NRG Stadium on December 28, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

3. Tyler Shough

This guy might be the most obvious. When Shough first transferred to Tech from Oregon, scouts already believed his arm was ready for the NFL. Those talking heads went silent after injuries in back-to-back seasons. Now Shough has resurrected his college career and is looking to be one of the top quarterbacks in the nation.

The 2022 season began in ugly fashion for him. Shough suffered a shoulder injury in the opener against Murray State. For six games, McGuire alternated between Donovan Smith and Behren Morton. Both had moments leading the offense, but the talent differential was noticeable. Shough finally returned against Baylor, but threw an interception on his first pass. After relieving Morton against TCU due to an injury to him, Shough started the Kansas game.

Against the Jayhawks, Shough had his best game going back to 2021. He threw for 246 yards and a touchdown along with one rushing touchdown. With the shoulder fully healthy, he started the next three games and won all of them. His best performance came against Oklahoma where he threw for 436 yards and two scores.

Shough started the Texas Bowl against Ole Miss. Despite feeling sick before the game, according to reports, Shough passed for 242 yards with a touchdown and had 111 yards rushing with two touchdowns. He was named the game’s MVP, summitting his status as the starter heading into 2023.

Making the jump from college to the NFL is hard, especially for quarterbacks. With the injuries behind him, Shough can now focus more on throwing the deep ball in his final season. He hardly threw deep due to the soreness still felt from his injuries, but now Zach Kittley can turn him loose. Shough’s size is enough to get scouts talking, but he needs to stay healthy. If he rides the momentum from last season for all of 2023, Shough could very well be in the NFL.

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