College Football: 5 surprise QBs who’ll contend for 2020 Heisman Trophy

5. Tyler Shough, Oregon

Oregon’s Tyler Shough is the biggest unknown on this list, but as precedent has shown, a lack of preseason awareness is far from a Heisman Trophy disqualifier.

Shough saw action in four games in 2019, so he’s yet to burn any of his eligibility. In those four games, he completed 80 percent of his throws and found the end zone three times through the air. What makes Shough exciting, however, is the amount of learning he’s already gone through.

For the entirety of 2019, Shough got to learn the Duck offense, while shadowing Justin Herbert, the man who would go on to be the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft. Not only has he had a year to learn, but he’s learned from one of the best.

Additionally, while he’s technically a freshman, he’s not nearly as green as a freshman like the aforementioned Bo Nix. He’s learned the offense and been exposed to the insane environments of big-time college football before starting a game.

That’s a luxury that has become much less frequent around the sport in recent years.

Shough has also impressed his coaches. Mario Cristobal thought Shough was “outstanding” in spring practice, where he defended the job that was his to lose. “He entered the spring as the starter, he leaves the spring as the starter”.

Paired with new offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead, who has a track record of success as a play-caller, the next big thing in college football could very well be coming out of Eugene.