CFB Player Profile: Shane Buechele, SMU

QB Shane Buechele, SMU

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HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 207
HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL): Arlington, TX (Lamar)
247 RATING: .9250
STARS: 4
YEAR: Senior
POSITION RANK: 18

CAREER
Passing: 8,565 yards (62.4%), 64 touchdowns, 26 interceptions
Rushing: 373 yards (1.6 ypc), 6 touchdowns

2019
Passing: 3,929 yards (62.7%), 34 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
Rushing: 105 yards (1.6 ypc), 2 touchdowns

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Shane Buechele Breakdown

STRENGTHS
– Touch
– Anticipation
– Progressions
– Gamer
– Running
CONCERNS
– Arm strength
– Sideline throws
– Prayer passes

Shane Buechele’s time with SMU got off to a rough start, but it didn’t last that way. An interception on the first drive of his first game with the Mustangs raised concerns. Concerns that ultimately weren’t valid for the entire season. His unique journey led him from Austin to Dallas, but the change was great for everyone involved. Now, Buechele’s looking to improve upon a great 2019 season.

While he didn’t end up fitting in Tom Herman’s offense at Texas, he fits in perfectly with Sonny Dykes at SMU. A natural gunslinger, Buechele showed that he’s comfortable when given the full reins of an offense. He’s a patient passer who can also sift through his progressions to find an open receiver, and knows where his hot route will be when a blitz gets to him quicker than expected.

Buechele’s deep ball tends to hang in the air from a lack of elite arm strength, and it limits his ability to drive the ball outside the numbers on sideline throws as well. He does, however, know how to put touch on his passes and drop it over a defender, but there aren’t many deep passes that can get there with great velocity. At times, those kinds of passes are prayers that he throws up and hopes that his receivers come down with it. Sometimes, those passes work, giving Buechele some magic to his game, but that can’t make the coaching staff happy.

Short to intermediate throws are his biggest strengths, but he’s going to take some deep shots too. You take the risks with the rewards that come with Shane Buechele, as he’s a gamer who love competing. He’s a guy you want on your team because he has the right attitude. On top of his arm, he can also run despite what his statistics say. Now that he’s in a more suitable scheme, his strengths are utilized more, and SMU’s in great hands because of it.  

Joe Broback
Joe Broback

Joe Broback is a college football contributor for Sports and Fitness Digest.

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