Louisville Cardinals quarterback Tyler Shough was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 40 pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, a defining moment for the 25-year-old who overcame years of injuries to reach the pros. The celebration in Scottsdale, Arizona, was electric, with Shough joined by his wife Jordan, family, friends, and dog Murphy as the draft call came in. Shough’s seven-year college career across Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville was marked by setbacks, including a broken collarbone in 2021, a shoulder injury in 2022, and a broken fibula in 2023, but his perseverance paid off with a standout 2024 season at Louisville, where he led the team to an 8-4 record.
In his lone season at Louisville under coach Jeff Brohm, Shough threw for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, completing 63.2% of his passes with a 148.1 passer rating. Highlights included a four-touchdown, 342-yard performance against Miami and a key role in a 33-21 upset over Clemson. His pro-style offense skills earned him All-ACC honorable mention and a spot in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he was voted the top quarterback for the National team. At the NFL Combine, Shough, standing 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, impressed with a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, a 32-inch vertical jump, and a 117-inch broad jump, earning praise from ESPN’s Louis Riddick as the “most polished and pro-ready QB.”
The Saints’ decision to draft Shough over other prospects like Shedeur Sanders sparked debate, but his experience across multiple offensive systems, from Oregon’s power-run spread to Louisville’s pro-style scheme, made him a fit for New Orleans’ play-action-heavy offense. Scouting reports highlight his strong arm, compact release, and a 1.8% turnover-worthy play rate, though concerns remain about his age, he’ll be 26 by September 2025, and his struggles under pressure, with a -0.22 EPA per dropback when pressured.
For the Saints, Shough is a calculated gamble, with analysts comparing him to Derek Carr or Matt Cassel, suggesting he could be an average to above-average starter. The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen noted Shough’s immediate potential for teams needing a quarterback. As Shough celebrated in Scottsdale, his journey, from backing up Justin Herbert at Oregon to battling injuries at Texas Tech, culminated in a new beginning in New Orleans. “I’m ready to work,” Shough said post-draft, with Cardinals fans and his Arizona faithful cheering him on as he heads to the Big Easy with Murphy by his side.
