Blake Shapen Scouting Report

Blake Shapen is an experienced quarterback whose primary strengths are his accuracy and athleticism.

Draft Grade: Round 6 - Role Specific Contributor

Strengths:

Accuracy/Ball Placement: With a clean pocket and ideal conditions, Shapen consistently fits the ball into tight windows, demonstrating strong accuracy and precise ball placement.

Experience: Shapen is a multi-year starter at multiple schools, giving him experience in different systems. This versatility provides him with a strong understanding of varied offensive concepts and adaptability on the field.

Athleticism: Shapen has the mobility to escape collapsing pockets and turn potentially negative plays into positive gains for the offense.

Football IQ/Instincts: Shapen displays creativity and high football IQ, often finding solutions when plays break down and effectively improvising to keep the offense moving.

Concerns:

Arm Strength/Velocity: Shapen is accurate on deeper throws, but his velocity diminishes on long passes, limiting how far he can consistently push the ball vertically.

Size: Shapen is slightly undersized compared to prototype NFL quarterback standards. This may impact his field vision and ability to see over the line of scrimmage.

Negative Plays: Shapen’s competitiveness sometimes leads him to extend plays instead of throwing the ball away. This can result in interceptions or untimely sacks, compounding negative outcomes for the offense.

Blake Shapen Summary/Projection:

Blake Shapen is a senior prospect who began his collegiate career at Baylor University, serving as a backup for several years before eventually becoming the starter for the Bears. He transferred to Mississippi State for the 2023 season, where he has been the starting quarterback since. Shapen possesses the ability to throw with anticipation and accuracy, allowing him to operate as a “point guard” on the field—reading defenses and distributing the ball effectively to his playmakers.

As a passer, Shapen is efficient and effective. He works through his progressions, scanning the field and delivering accurate throws. One of his standout traits is ball placement, consistently putting the football in locations that maximize the receiver’s chance to make a play or gain yards after the catch. Shapen is an anticipatory thrower capable of fitting passes into tight windows and connecting on all three levels of the field. On deep throws, he releases the ball early with proper arc, allowing receivers to run underneath. He excels at placing passes over the receiver’s shoulder or executing back-shoulder throws when defenders are tight, particularly on vertical routes. Overall, in ideal conditions, Shapen demonstrates timing and rhythm as a thrower, effectively executing an offense at a high level.

Shapen’s primary areas of concern are arm strength/velocity and negative plays. While his arm is adequate for most throws, it is limited on passes requiring elite strength, such as deep comebacks or vertical shots, which may restrict certain play designs. Additionally, Shapen’s confidence in his athleticism can sometimes backfire; when attempting to escape pressure, he may take unnecessary sacks or negative-yardage plays instead of safely throwing the ball away.