By Adam Aniba
This year's quarterback class is headlined by prospects from Alabama, Ohio State and Kentucky, but one particular DII signal caller deserves a look as well. Shepherd University signal caller Tyson Bagent never missed a start in 5 seasons.
The signal caller has the chance to be the first DII QB drafted since 2002 JT O'Sullivan from UC Davis (6th round '02 Saints) and will have NFL scouts attention during the upcoming Senior Bowl.
Tyson Bagent
6'2" 213 lbs | QB | Shepherd
Late 5th-6th Rd Grade
Career (53 games) 1400/2040 17,034 yds for 159 TDs & 48 ints
(Rushing) 179 yds 12 TDs
2022 (15 games) 400/572 4,580 yards for 41 TDs & 8 ints
(Rushing) 71 yds 5 TDs
Background
Bagent grew up in Martinsburg, WV and played for Martinsburg HS, lettering in football and basketball. Bagent led his team to a pair of state football championships and threw for for 7,800 yards with 112 touchdowns during his time in Martinsburg.
Although Bagent didn't receive any DI offers, he was offered a spot on the DII Shepherd University football program. He started all 10 games as a freshman registering 3,029 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading to a spot on the 1st All-MEC Team.
His 253 completions as a freshman, set a Shepherd single-season record, in addition to breaking the school record for passing attempts, and passing yards. In his first game he also set a record with 518 yards passing vs Super Region One champion Notre Dame. He also set a school and MEC record with 7 touchdowns vs West Virginia Wesleyan.
Fast forward to 2021 with the Shepherd signal caller never missing a start, he would lead the DII ranks in most statistical categories. Bagent led all DII quarterbacks with 5,000 passing yards and 53 touchdowns, becoming the 9th quarterback in college football history to reach the 5,000-yard, 50-touchdown mark.
He followed up his record breaking season by throwing for 4,580 yards and 41 touchdowns in '22. Bagent did throw 8 interceptions in his final season, attempting to do too much at times, when he should've just trusted his checkdowns more often.
The Shepherd signal caller also had two punts in '22 with a 41.5 average.
Bagent was a back-to-back winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy winner in '21 and '22, which is the Dll equivalent to the highly coveted Heisman Trophy. He would wrap up his career, breaking multipole school and DII records.
Honors and Awards
• 2022 AFCA Division II Coaches' All-American First Team
• 2022 D2CCA Super Region One Offensive Player of the Year
• 2022 Harlon Hill Trophy Winner
• 2022 PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year
• 2022 All-PSAC East First Team
• 2022 PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week (9/5, 9/19, 9/26, 10/24, 10/31 11/7)
• 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy Winner
• 2021 Don Hansen Division II Offensive Player of the Year
• 2021 Don Hansen All-American First Team
• 2021 D2Football.com Offensive Player of the Year
• 2021 AP Division II All-American First Team
• 2021 D2CCA All-American First Team
• 2021 AFCA Division II Coaches' All-American First Team
• 2021 D2CCA All-Super Region One First Team
• 2021 PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year
• 2021 All-PSAC East First Team
• 2021 PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week (9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 11/1, 11/8)
• 2019 NCAA II Statistical Champion Passing Yards per Game (362.4)
• 2019 NCAA II Statistical Champion Completions per Game (28.58)
• 2019 Harlon Hill Nominee
• 2018 Harlon Hill Nominee
• 2018 First Team All-MEC Team
• 2018 Three-Time MEC Offensive Player of the Week (9/17, 9/24, 10/29)
During a '22 interview with The Draft Network, Bagent was asked what a successful Senior Bowl for him would look like at the conclusion of the week.
"It would mean I took advantage of the opportunity that was given to me. I was mentally sharp throughout. I was a great player to coach. I listened to instructions and I was sharp on the field. I got better and I was coachable. That would be a successful week for me. I’m really looking forward to it."
PROS
Displays the ability to read the field and won't lock onto his first option
Impressive pocket awareness with an understanding how to side-step pressure
Doesn't lose accuracy or velocity when throwing on the run/displayed the ability to improvise as a mobile signal caller
Throws an accurate touch pass
Field general who never missed a start in five seasons
CONS
Throwing motion and release point need refinement
Issues throwing the fade (minor concern)
Tends to hold onto the ball too long, which will lead to sacks on the next level
His overall decision making is questionable at times, displaying too much hero ball
Although showed accuracy, he's limited to short/intermediate passes at this point in his maturation process
Outlook
Although Bagent primarily ran Zone Read and Pistol formations concepts during his college career, his ability to improvise and display accuracy when throwing on the run are notable for any NFL offense.
The Senior Bowl will be Bagent's first opportunity to shows scouts he belongs with some of the best DI prospects in the nation. Shepherd hasn’t had a player drafted since 1960, but has the potential to be a Day 3 draft selection.
Bagent will be an ideal developmental prospect for a team willing to work with him and a prospect that could have a bright future on the next level.
*Games Watched- 9/1/22 S.Conn. St., 9/17 vs California (Pa.), 9/24 vs Kutztown, 10/22 vs West Chester, 11/5 vs E.Stroudsburg, 11/12 vs Indiana (Pa.), 11/26 vs Slippery Rock and 12/10 vs Colorado School of Mines
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