Former Texas Tech QB Leads NFL in Passing

NEW ORLEANS, LA — After two weeks, a former Texas Tech Red Raider leads the NFL in passing yards.

But it’s not the one you might expect.

New Orleans’ Tyler Shough, who played at Texas Tech from 2021 to 2023, has thrown for 662 yards and four touchdowns while completing 69% of his passes.

He’s certainly not the most famous former Texas Tech QB in the NFL — that distinction would go to Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes — but Shough is quickly making a name for himself.

He’s fresh off a 24-17 upset of Baltimore last week, and he nearly led the Saints to an overtime win over Detroit in Week 1.

Shough, who played his high school ball in Arizona, started his college career at Oregon before transferring to Texas Tech, where he competed with former San Angelo Central standout Maverick McIvor among others for the starting job.

He had his best season in Lubbock in 2022 when he led the Red Raiders to an 8-5 record and Texas Bowl win over Ole Miss.

He transferred to Louisville for his senior season in 2024 and had an 8-4 record as his draft stock began to climb.

Shough was eventually taken by New Orleans in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 40th pick. He won five of his nine starts and threw for 2,384 yards and 10 TDs with six interceptions. He completed 67.6% of his passes.

Along with rookie Behren Morton, a backup with New England, there are currently three former Texas Tech QBs in the NFL.