Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Already 25 years old which likely caps his developmental ceiling compared to younger prospects in the class who have shown similar tools
• Significant durability concerns with multiple collarbone injuries and a broken fibula limiting him to just 42 games across seven college seasons
• Lower body mechanics can break down under pressure, causing throws to sail when he fails to drive through his plant leg
• Can lock onto primary reads too long rather than working through progressions - needs to improve processing speed post-snap
• Completion percentage drops nearly 30 points when pressured - tends to make poor decisions when the pocket breaks down

Scouting Report: Summary

The tape shows a quarterback who thrives in structured passing attacks featuring heavy play-action usage. When Shough can plant that back foot and drive through his throws off play-action, he generates impressive velocity to all levels of the field. That play-action prowess combined with his ability to layer passes between zones makes him an ideal fit in systems like San Francisco or Los Angeles that emphasize rhythmic timing throws and vertical shots off run action.

His Senior Bowl performance reinforced what shows up on Louisville film - this is a physically gifted passer who can make every throw in the playbook when his mechanics are right. The arm talent pops whether he's driving comebacks from the opposite hash or dropping deep balls in the bucket. While the age and medical history are legitimate concerns, several games from 2024 (Miami, Clemson, Virginia) showcase a QB ready to compete for a starting role sooner rather than later. The flashes of brilliance throwing on the move and improvising outside structure hint at a higher ceiling than his current draft buzz suggests.

After studying his full body of work, I'm convinced Shough will outperform his eventual draft position. The combination of size, arm strength, and experience in multiple pro-style concepts provides immediate NFL backup value with clear starter upside. He needs an established offensive system that can refine his mechanics and help him process faster under pressure. But in the right situation with proper development time, Shough has the tools to develop into a quality NFL starter by year two. The tape shows a more talented player than his current Day 2/3 projection indicates.