High School and College Career

Tyson Bagent from Martinsburg, West Virginia, Bagent was a standout football player in high school and he was named the West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for an astounding 41 touchdowns.

He committed to play for Division II Shepherd University. In his freshman year, Bagent became the starting quarterback for the Shepherd Rams, impressively leading them to a winning record. He was named the first team All-Mountain East Conference (MEC) after completing over 65% of his passes for 3,029 yards and 29 touchdowns.

During his sophomore year, Bagent’s performance improved even further, and he was named second team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East, passing for an impressive 4,349 yards and 36 touchdowns. Unfortunately, his junior season was cancelled due to Covid-19.

In his final season, Bagent threw for over 5,000 yards and an incredible 53 touchdowns. This outstanding performance earned him the PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year title and the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy. He also won the Hardman Award as the best amateur athlete in West Virginia.

After such a spectacular season, it was no surprise that Bagent garnered interest from Division I football programs and entered the NCAA transfer portal. Despite visits to both West Virginia and Maryland, Bagent ultimately decided to remain at Shepherd for his final season of eligibility.

In his final game on December 3, 2022, Bagent cemented his legacy as one of the greatest college quarterbacks ever. In a 48–13 quarterfinal win over IUP, Bagent broke the record for touchdown passes across all NCAA divisions with 158, surpassing the previous record of 157 held by Terrell Hudgins of Division III Widener University.

Tyson Bagent Scouting Report Introduction

Tyson Bagent, the quarterback for the Shepherd Rams, is projected to be a developmental quarterback. Throughout his college career, Bagent has demonstrated exceptional productivity, posting impressive numbers and consistently challenging opposing defenses with his ability to move outside the pocket and target different areas of the field. Although he will require significant development at the NFL level, Bagent’s innate passing abilities make him an intriguing prospect.

Bagent, who was initially unranked as a college recruit, played high school football at Martinsburg High School in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He joined Shepherd University in 2018 and has since shattered the program’s passing records with an outstanding NCAA career. Starting as a true freshman in 2018, Bagent has started every game for the program, amassing a total of 53 starts. His record-breaking 159 career touchdown passes stand as an NCAA record across all divisions, and he was awarded the 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

One of Bagent’s most notable attributes is his powerful arm, which is immediately evident when watching film. He displays an impressive release of the ball from various angles and platforms, demonstrating a fluid and relaxed throwing style. Bagent’s approach to timing is unconventional, as he prefers to manipulate both the pocket and defensive backs using his pocket movement and eye contact. This aspect of his game can be challenging to analyze, as his protection unit often struggles against various types of pressure, such as stunts, fire zone pressures, corner blitzes, or mugged linebackers. However, these difficult conditions have helped Bagent develop a talent for extending plays and evading rushers. He demonstrates the ability to create time for himself and possesses the size and strength to withstand contact while finding an open target.

Bagent exhibits toughness in the pocket, unflinchingly facing substantial hits before quickly recovering. His aggressive passing style in one-on-one situations has enabled him to develop strong chemistry with his receivers, allowing them to make plays for him on the perimeter. Bagent’s quick ball-handling skills and flexibility as a passer enable him to throw around or over defenders, rapidly identifying gaps in coverage to release the ball. Shepherd frequently allowed him to move outside the pocket and throw on the run, which proved advantageous when targeting routes near the sideline.

Despite his many positive attributes, Bagent’s performance can be inconsistent, partly due to his circumstances and teammates but also because of irregularities in his own game. His delivery, footwork, and progressions all require improvement, and he would benefit from a more focused approach on a play-by-play basis. While Bagent may deliver an accurate throw to a hitch using a sidearm motion, he may subsequently throw a poorly executed pass into the flat from a stable position in the pocket. Developing repeatable motions and breaking habits, such as focusing too intently on primary options or getting stuck on the iso side of the field, will be crucial in determining how close Bagent comes to reaching his full potential.

Expectations for Bagent early in his NFL career should be tempered, as he faces a significant leap in competition and will likely not be prepared for live NFL action during the initial stages of his professional career. However, with adequate time to develop, an NFL team may find a valuable quarterback in Bagent. Possessing the traits necessary to play in the league and potentially serve as a long-term backup, Bagent would be best suited as a team’s third quarterback during his first season, ensuring he receives the necessary protection and development.

Strengths

Bagent has exceptional ball handling skills that allowed him to execute the run-pass option (RPO) and play-action passing game with ease.
He is an above-average athlete who could evade defenders in open space with his quick footwork. Bagent’s athleticism gave him the ability to make plays with his legs when needed, creating an additional threat to opposing defenses.

One of Bagent’s primary weapons was his live arm. He could throw with outstanding velocity to all levels of the field with pace. Thus, he can make quick, precise throws that allow his receivers to make plays after the catch. This made him a significant asset for his team, as his arm strength allowed them to stretch the field vertically and horizontally.

Weaknesses

He relied on predetermined plays rather than reading and reacting to the defense on the field. This could prove to be a flaw in his game at the professional level, as the ability to consistently execute reads is a critical skill for quarterbacks in the NFL.

Furthermore, Bagent may need to work on increasing his speed of play, as the pace of the game naturally quickens in the NFL. He will need to adapt to this faster tempo to be successful at the next level.

It is worth noting that Bagent played college football at the D-II level, meaning he may face a notable developmental curve as he transitions to the professional ranks. The level of competition and skillset of his opponents will certainly elevate, and he will need to work hard to adjust and improve his game accordingly.

Tyson Bagent is the 183rd prospect on our draft big board.