(670 The Score) While quarterback Tyson Bagent played his college ball in obscurity at the Division-II level, Shepherd University head coach Ernie McCook always had a feeling that a bigger spotlight would be in Bagent’s future.
“I 100% thought he would be an NFL quarterback,” McCook said on the Parkins & Spiegel Show on Thursday afternoon. “Just the way the kid prepares, his work ethic, his poise, his competitiveness, just the way that he could lead a team.”
Bagent, 23, is in line to make his first NFL start this Sunday, when the Bears (1-5) will host the Raiders (3-3) at Soldier Field. Bagent has replaced starting quarterback Justin Fields, who suffered a right thumb injury in Chicago’s 19-13 loss to Minnesota this past Sunday. Bagent came on in relief of Fields early in the third quarter and went 10-of-14 for 83 yards and an interception, which came late on an underthrow as the Bears looked for the go-ahead score in the final minutes.
In sharing his scouting report on Bagent, McCook compared him to future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees.
“You get a guy a lot like Drew Brees,” McCook said. “He has some question marks, limitations coming out of school, college. He has a tremendous work ethic, a tremendous competitiveness. When I hear about how Drew Brees prepared as a player, those are the same characteristics that I see in Tyson Bagent.
“I just believe in Tyson. I think Tyson’s got just tremendous characteristics. And if he’s starting for the next 10 years in the NFL and playing at a high level, I will not be surprised.
"He is an underrated athlete. He's very athletic. He can move in the pocket. He keeps his eyes downfield.
"He has a great ability to deliver the ball where it needs to go. He gets the ball out on time. He doesn't hold it. And he can also move within the pocket, within the B gaps to avoid rushes and still deliver the ball. He's an unbelievable workaholic when it comes to football."