CFL/South Alabama
CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — Three Canadian quarterbacks already have contracts while several others will participate in camp through the QB internship program, as Canadian content under centre becomes a key theme across CFL training camps.
Brandon Bridge and Andrew Buckley have already made waves this off-season after being drafted in the 2015 CFL Draft by Montreal and Calgary respectively and earning contracts. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers followed suit with the signing of quarterback Jordan Yantz, who had appeared in Bomber camps through the internship program.
Those under contract won’t be the only Canadian QBs in camp this off-season, however. The CFL implemented its quarterback internship program back in 2010 with the interest of developing quarterbacks, allowing each team to invite Canadian quarterbacks to camp without having to sign a contract and take up a roster space.
Quarterbacks in the program suit up in training camp and gain much-needed exposure to the CFL game, but aren’t listed on the roster and won’t dress in games. Approximately 13 CIS quarterbacks will participate in CFL rookie camps and training camps over the next couple of weeks with hopes of both learning the CFL ropes and also making an impression heading into the future.
The program began in 2010 with Brad Sinopoli, now a receiver with the Ottawa REDBLACKS, attending the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ camp. Kyle Quinlan attended Hamilton’s camp in 2011, then in 2012 all teams were mandated to have an underclassed quarterback in attendance.
Here are the quarterbacks currently participating in CFL camps, starting with Wednesday’s opening of rookie camp:
|
*Denotes participation through the QB internship program
BC Lions
Michael O’Connor, UBC*
Edmonton Eskimos
Drew Burko, Saskatchewan*
Calgary Stampeders
Dante Djan, St. FX*
Andrew Buckley, Calgary (Drafted in 2015 and under contract)
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Noah Picton, Regina*
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Theo Deezar, Manitoba*
Jordan Yantz, Manitoba (Signed as undrafted free agent in 2015, under contract)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Will Finch, Western*
Toronto Argonauts
Asher Hastings, McMaster*
Ottawa REDBLACKS
Hugo Richard, Laval*
Montreal Alouettes
Brandon Bridge, South Alabama (Drafted in 2015 and under contract)
Scott Borden, St. Mary’s*
Travis Eman, Bishop’s*
Joel Houle, McGill*
Quaid Johnson, Concordia*
Mathieu Loranger, Sherbrooke*
Trenton Miller, Concordia*
Marc-Antoine Langeven, Laval*
Jazz Lindsey, Guelph*
