Tyler James Shough, born on September 28, 1999, in Chandler, Arizona, is an American professional football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. Shough played college football for the Oregon Ducks, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Louisville Cardinals before being selected by the Saints in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Known for his size, accuracy, and resilience, Shough has emerged as one of the promising young quarterbacks in professional football.
Quick Facts of Tyler Shough
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tyler James Shough |
| Date of Birth | September 28, 1999 |
| Place of Birth | Chandler, Arizona, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 219 lb (99 kg) |
| High School | Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ) |
| College | Oregon, Texas Tech, Louisville |
| NFL Draft | 2025: 2nd round, 40th overall |
| Current Team | New Orleans Saints |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Family | Married to Jordan Wormdahl |
| Religion | Christian |
Early Life and Family
Shough grew up in Chandler, Arizona, as the fourth of five children to Glenn and Dana Shough. His father, Glenn, is a retired police officer and now teaches criminal justice, while his mother, Dana, is a retired educator who battled stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in 2009.
Shough attended Hamilton High School, where he excelled as a quarterback and became the varsity starter in his junior year. He was friends with future MLB player Cody Bellinger. During his senior year, Shough earned first-team 6A Premier League and all-CUSD honors, as well as a Semper Fidelis All-American selection. He set school records for completions, attempts, passing yards, and touchdowns.
College Career
Oregon Ducks (2018–2020)
Shough redshirted in 2018, appearing in three games. As a redshirt freshman in 2019, he served as backup quarterback behind Justin Herbert, finishing the season with 144 passing yards and three touchdowns.
In 2020, Shough became Oregon’s starter, leading the team to a Pac-12 Championship win over USC. The season was impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, and although Oregon lost games against Oregon State and California, Shough started the Fiesta Bowl against Iowa State. He entered the NCAA transfer portal in February 2021.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (2021–2023)
Shough transferred to Texas Tech and won the starting quarterback position. His tenure included notable performances such as:
- Career-high 436 passing yards in an overtime win against Oklahoma (2022).
- Texas Bowl MVP with 242 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 111 rushing yards, and 2 rushing TDs.
In 2023, Shough suffered a broken fibula, requiring surgery, before transferring to Louisville.
Louisville Cardinals (2024)
At Louisville, Shough led the Cardinals to an 8–4 regular season record, including a key win against Clemson. He finished 14th in FBS in total yards and tied for 22nd in passing touchdowns. He opted out of the 2024 Sun Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft and won the Comeback Player of the Year award from the College Sports Communicators.
Professional Career
Shough was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 40th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract on July 21, 2025. Initially a backup behind Spencer Rattler, Shough made his debut in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks. He was named the starting quarterback in late October 2025 after the Saints began the season 1–7.
Personal Life
Shough is a devout Christian and was baptized in 2019 alongside Mycah Pittman. He proposed to former Oregon soccer player Jordan Wormdahl in May 2022 and married her on April 6, 2024. In 2025, Shough expressed political preferences publicly, stating he would vote for Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear if he ran for president.
Summary
Tyler Shough’s journey highlights resilience, talent, and adaptability. From his early years in Arizona to navigating multiple college programs and overcoming injuries, Shough has steadily progressed toward a promising professional career. As the Saints’ starting quarterback, he now has the opportunity to cement his place in the NFL.
