Saints QB Tyler Shough makes history before rookie campaign begins

How the 25-year-old surprised a New Orleans legend.

Every summer, the Manning family comes together at Nicholls State University to host the prestigious Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Among those in regular attendance at the family-owned and operated football camp are Archie, Cooper, Eli, and Peyton Manning. While the camp focuses on offensive football’s fundamentals, players including running backs, tight ends, wide receivers, and quarterbacks flock to bayou country annually to learn skills, hear advice, and relish moments of being around some of the top talents throughout the country.

Of course, the four family members could not pull off hosting the camp year-after-year alone. In addition to numerous workers and volunteers behind the scenes, the Mannings utilize a plethora of collegiate quarterbacks to serve as camp counselors who sharpen their own repertoires and shape the future of prep football players. This year, however, campers are being provided a special treat at the MPA. For the first time ever, a former counselor is returning to the academy after turning pro. New Orleans Saints rookie QB Tyler Shough is putting in the work even in his time off from the National Football League.

“Most Saints players have gone back home now with this month off, he said he’s staying right here. He said, ‘I want to come work the camp.’ I’ve never had one of our college quarterbacks, when he turns pro, to say he’ll come back and want to work the camp,” Saints Hall of Famer Archie Manning articulated to WWL TV’s Doug Mouton.

Shough spent time at the academy previously, but him being the first to come back once joining the NFL says a lot about his character and desires to not only get better on the field, but also to see other players improve their game. When asked about his decision to counsel this year, Shough had this to say:

“It’s an hour away, why wouldn’t I come back? Help out and be around everybody. Talk to some of the college guys about my experience with the whole draft. I want to help out as much people as I can, because with my own college experience and what I wish I knew, and how I can continue to get better and learn from those guys. I want to continue to grow that for sure.”

This year’s camp is running through June 29. In addition to Shough, some other notable names at the MPA include Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Arch Manning (Texas), Cade Klubnik (Clemson). While the light is just beginning to shine in Shough’s career, the clear dedication he has to putting himself in the best position ahead of NFL training camp with the Saints certainly bodes well for the mindsets of Saints fans and local community members.