Canadian Quarterbacks in the 2025 CFL Draft

[OV Argo]

Both Canadian QBs fared poorly today. Rourke had a terrible game and this might hinder his chances of being drafted in the NFL. Elgersma suffered from weak support from his OL. It also demonstrated his lack of mobility when under pressure.
He did show arm strength and he may still be drafted in the CFL draft.

Yup, you got it right. Even good quarterbacks like Rourke and Elgersma look pretty average when your offensive line is not giving you time. I still think both will get drafted in the CFL, and Rourke will make a NFL roster. Here's how Elgersma looks like with good protection. A very accurate passer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dOHNIxJVoo&t=48s

Not like Elgersma was being swarmed all day by the Laval D - he had plenty of time to throw often and missed some targets; and when there was pressure or a blitz he could not handle it with any escape moves or mobility; Bishops got to him several times early in the National Semi and I just don't get why you wouldn't blitz all day long against a relatively immobile QB and an offence that is mostly pass ?

Rourke is likely to get some sort of NFL look - either mid to late rounds drafted or a FA look - they are very big on most QBs who have had success at a big Div I program.

OTOH - none of Elgersma, or Desjardins, or Senecal or Tachinksi are going to get any sort of real CFL look, as the thinking there is totally opposite - zero respect and write-off to pretty well all outstanding Canadian trained QB talent (unless it's a 4.4 forty "athlete" like Tre Ford). We shall see though - just which CFL team(s) do you think would look at any of the U Sports QBs available and either draft or FA sign them, AND give them real reps in a TC ?

[ARGO57]

Both Canadian QBs fared poorly today. Rourke had a terrible game and this might hinder his chances of being drafted in the NFL. Elgersma suffered from weak support from his OL. It also demonstrated his lack of mobility when under pressure.
He did show arm strength and he may still be drafted in the CFL draft.

Yup, you got it right. Even good quarterbacks like Rourke and Elgersma look pretty average when your offensive line is not giving you time. I still think both will get drafted in the CFL, and Rourke will make a NFL roster. Here's how Elgersma looks like with good protection. A very accurate passer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dOHNIxJVoo&t=48s

Not like Elgersma was being swarmed all day by the Laval D - he had plenty of time to throw often and missed some targets; and when there was pressure or a blitz he could not handle it with any escape moves or mobility; Bishops got to him several times early in the National Semi and I just don't get why you wouldn't blitz all day long against a relatively immobile QB and an offence that is mostly pass ?

Rourke is likely to get some sort of NFL look - either mid to late rounds drafted or a FA look - they are very big on most QBs who have had success at a big Div I program.

OTOH - none of Elgersma, or Desjardins, or Senecal or Tachinksi are going to get any sort of real CFL look, as the thinking there is totally opposite - zero respect and write-off to pretty well all outstanding Canadian trained QB talent (unless it's a 4.4 forty "athlete" like Tre Ford). We shall see though - just which CFL team(s) do you think would look at any of the U Sports QBs available and either draft or FA sign them, AND give them real reps in a TC ?

Judging by your own assessment of Elgersma he shouldn’t get a serious look by CFL teams.
Somewhat erratic arm and little mobility perhaps the GOB’s are correct on this one.
Time will tell.

[OV Argo]

Yup, you got it right. Even good quarterbacks like Rourke and Elgersma look pretty average when your offensive line is not giving you time. I still think both will get drafted in the CFL, and Rourke will make a NFL roster. Here's how Elgersma looks like with good protection. A very accurate passer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dOHNIxJVoo&t=48s

Not like Elgersma was being swarmed all day by the Laval D - he had plenty of time to throw often and missed some targets; and when there was pressure or a blitz he could not handle it with any escape moves or mobility; Bishops got to him several times early in the National Semi and I just don't get why you wouldn't blitz all day long against a relatively immobile QB and an offence that is mostly pass ?

Rourke is likely to get some sort of NFL look - either mid to late rounds drafted or a FA look - they are very big on most QBs who have had success at a big Div I program.

OTOH - none of Elgersma, or Desjardins, or Senecal or Tachinksi are going to get any sort of real CFL look, as the thinking there is totally opposite - zero respect and write-off to pretty well all outstanding Canadian trained QB talent (unless it's a 4.4 forty "athlete" like Tre Ford). We shall see though - just which CFL team(s) do you think would look at any of the U Sports QBs available and either draft or FA sign them, AND give them real reps in a TC ?

Judging by your own assessment of Elgersma he shouldn’t get a serious look by CFL teams.
Somewhat erratic arm and little mobility perhaps the GOB’s are correct on this one.
Time will tell.

Maybe; can find flaws in pretty well any player the odd game. Maybe Zach Collaros should get cut from the CFL after a way worse GC performance.

He is still an outstanding U Sports QB talent who has shown serious passing talent and is 6-6 big; won the Hec; led his team to an undefeated season (till yesterday). And the GOBs drag up here pretty well any American QB they can find and give them TC shots (see Dukes & Scott from lower levels of US college ball with zero understanding or experience in the Canadian game). Point is, the top 10 or 15 O-linemen or receivers in a CFL draft class get serious consideration; while the top 3 even QB talents are routinely written-off by the GOBs. That some can't grasp what that says (for decades now), is well beyond me, but whatever.

[shatto]

Elgersma does have a pro type arm and that might interest one of the CFL teams to give him a chance. The player who interests me the most is Tachinski. Big --6' 4" and 215lbs and is mobile. Averaged over 70yds rushing per game this season. Surely he could be a 3rd string QB and a short yardage QB as well as any American QB.

[j-ski]

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[OV Argo]

IF, Alexander is the new #1 for the Als (and assume they can't afford to keep Fajardo around) - the Als would have some need for other young QBs to develop?

SO, would Maciocia ignore the 2 outstanding Q QBs right in his own backyard - Desjardins (Laval) or Senecal (Carabins) - as possible Als QB TC competition? I will bet YES - he does have no use for them (other than a PR stunt or extra arm for TC). The GOB fear of having a Canadian QB around with media or local yokel fans calling to give the guy a shot if they run into QB problems will out-weigh the ticket selling / PR benefits of having a well known Quebec guy in the mix.

And IMO, Senecal is about the best all-around QB talent of what I have seen of all the QBs mentioned in this discussion; better than either Elgersma or Desjardsins - more complete package of arm talent + mobility / run threat + heady & smart; and played on an offence with not near as much offence weapons. Haven't seen as much of Tachinksi, but what I have seen is very impressive - dual threat with a big arm.

[j-ski]

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[OV Argo]

IF, Alexander is the new #1 for the Als (and assume they can't afford to keep Fajardo around) - the Als would have some need for other young QBs to develop?

SO, would Maciocia ignore the 2 outstanding Q QBs right in his own backyard - Desjardins (Laval) or Senecal (Carabins) - as possible Als QB TC competition? I will bet YES - he does have no use for them (other than a PR stunt or extra arm for TC). The GOB fear of having a Canadian QB around with media or local yokel fans calling to give the guy a shot if they run into QB problems will out-weigh the ticket selling / PR benefits of having a well known Quebec guy in the mix.

And IMO, Senecal is about the best all-around QB talent of what I have seen of all the QBs mentioned in this discussion; better than either Elgersma or Desjardsins - more complete package of arm talent + mobility / run threat + heady & smart; and played on an offence with not near as much offence weapons. Haven't seen as much of Tachinksi, but what I have seen is very impressive - dual threat with a big arm.

Its my understanding is that Desjardins has committed to returning to Laval for one more year to work on a MBA. I don't know whether he will take his name out of this years draft, or whether he will become a free agent if he goes undrafted.

Senecal is definitely talented. I remember when watching the 2023 Vanier, Maciocia, Maas, and Calvillo were in the stands watching him, so I think they have been watching him and formed an opinion on his talents. I'm sure he will be invited to combine and it will be interesting to see what his numbers. It what be great if he was signed even if its as a free agent.

I still feel Elgersma is the best U Sports passer when he has protection. I think he has the most upside. Here's a wild prediction. Elgersma goes in the third round to the Argos. He has been to two Argos quarterback development camps and appears to have a relationship with Argos QB Coach Mike Miller. Elgersma seems also be devoted to playing pro football somewhere. He has been down to the states for QB development camps.

I hope you are right about some more GOB attention or respect towards Canadian trained QB; but I just can't see it (and would love to be proven wrong).

GOBs watching a bit of U Sports ball to see these guys play is one thing; respect for their talent AND getting over the deeply ingrained attitude that they do not belong in the CFL, is another thing altogether.

Desjardins could well have no interest in playing pro and want to play one more year with Laval while going for his MBA or whatever, but he also might jump at a chance to get to compete with the Als (could still finish his education); Senecal was recruited to Div I ball before coming back to Montreal - i think he is pretty serious about playing QB.

I recall seeing Pinball on the sidelines of a U Sports East-West game a few years back - when Mac QB Andreas Dueck had an outstanding game, coming off some fantastic passing stats in U Sports play, plus the guy was pro plus QB size. The Argos could have signed him (no need to draft) as a FA to compete in TC; but they are much more interested in Cam Dukes & Brian Scott types for their preferred resumes and passports. The Argos also could have drafted Tre Ford a few years back but they chose O-lineman MacKellar instead; i guess they could also go after Ontario guy Ford as a FA this off-season.

We shall see.

[ArgoRavi]

Danny Maciocia has extensive experience coaching USports. If he thinks a USports QB could help his football team, I have no doubt that he will give that QB a chance. Regarding Desjardins, I have now seen him play a few times and I just don't see his having much potential at the pro level. I just don't think that it's a step he is capable of taking.

[OV Argo]

Danny Maciocia has extensive experience coaching USports. If he thinks a USports QB could help his football team, I have no doubt that he will give that QB a chance. Regarding Desjardins, I have now seen him play a few times and I just don't see his having much potential at the pro level. I just don't think that it's a step he is capable of taking.

"no doubt" - Ok then Ravi; too bad you have next to no proof from the CFL of the past decades to get to that - so much evidence of top U Sports QB talent getting real CFL TC shots, but whatever. Yep, Desjardins and all these other top U Sports QBs couldn't possibly compete with Matthew Schlitz or Will Arndt or Brian Scott level talents.

Not to worry though, the CFL GOBs will still have their little Lebowski achiever Canadian QB intern program going, right. Very feel good stuff; sure to pay some dividends, one day down the road.