WKU Football: Tyrrell Pigrome Q&A with Testudo Times
Last weekend WKU finally found the grad transfer quarterback that they were looking for in Maryland transfer Tyrrell Pigrome. Pigrome is…
Last weekend WKU finally found the grad transfer quarterback that they were looking for in Maryland transfer Tyrrell Pigrome. Pigrome is an experienced signal-caller that has had several big moments during his four years in College Park. With that in mind, we thought we’d ask an expert to find out more about Pigrome’s time in Maryland and the player that the Hilltoppers are getting. Here’s our interview with Wesley Brown, the deputy editor of the Maryland blog Testudo Times.
What kind of player is WKU getting with Pigrome?
Wesley: Western Kentucky is getting an electrifying player at the quarterback position. One play that sticks out from his career at Maryland was in 2016 when Maryland played UCF on the road in game three of Pigrome’s career. Perry Hills was the established quarterback, but Pigrome had shown flashes. When Hills went down injured after first down of second overtime, Pigrome stepped right in and pulled off a winding run through the UCF defense for a 24-yard walk-off touchdown. Pigrome is a player who can make some plays with his arm but is a bigger threat with his legs. In any system where he can make quick throws and be surrounded by other good skill position players, he can thrive as a dual-threat talent.
Pigrome appeared in 33 games during his time at Maryland. How did his career play out and why was he never able to stick as the full-time starter?
Pigrome’s career played out fairly well at Maryland, but he was never able to be ‘the guy’ in any of his years in College Park. He joined the program as part of the 2016 recruiting class as an athlete and landed at the quarterback position. With the injuries Maryland suffered (and still has struggled with) at the quarterback position, there hasn’t really been one quarterback holding the reins for a full season. Pigrome also had his share of injuries — including an ACL tear in 2017 — so it was hard to maintain the position with that as well as competition.
Pigrome returned from his torn ACL last season and played a lot. Did he lose any of his speed or mobility after the injury?
Not really. Pigrome tore his ACL in the second half of the 2017 season opener at Texas and will be about three years out from that injury this coming fall. His mobility has not missed a beat as he still makes plays on his feet with ease. I feel as if he has grown into a smarter runner since his injuries, where he will work through his progressions rather than tucking and running if his first target isn’t open.
Why do you ultimately think he left Maryland?
With this being his final year of eligibility, it was decision time for Pigrome. He could have stayed at Maryland and fought with fellow senior Josh Jackson who transferred in last season as well as redshirt freshman Lance Legendre. He could have even looked to move to wide receiver as he holds that skill set. Ultimately, Pigrome likely feels that his senior season is his final chance to make a case for himself at any professional level, so it seems like stepping out of a power five QB room and moving to a place where he has a better shot at being ‘the guy’ for a full season will be his best shot at the next level.
How do you think he’ll do at Western Kentucky and CUSA level? Any predictions for the season?
Admittedly, I am personally not very tuned in to Western Kentucky football, but I would say you can expect solid contributions from Pigrome and career-high numbers if he were to land the starting job and hold that role. He can provide both with his arm and his legs, and I feel that at the group of five level he can shine more than he did on the Big Ten stage.
We want to thank Wesley for taking the time to answer our questions on Piggy and look forward to seeing how he fits on the 2020 Hilltoppers. Be sure to follow the Testudo Times on twitter and read their work on here.