Saskatchewan Roughriders' general manager Jeremy O'Day believes the 2025 Canadian quarterback class has a chance to be special.
"It's a pretty darn good one. I would say it's got to be up there towards the top," O'Day said. "I don't know if it's the best, but it certainly could be."
Four travelled to Regina for the CFL Combine: Arnaud Desjardins from Laval University, Jonathan Senecal from the University of Montreal, Jackson Tachinski from the University of Manitoba and Keagan Hall from McMaster University who recently transferred to York University. According to 3DowNation's John Hodge, two notable draft-eligible Canadian quarterbacks did not attend the CFL Combine, Taylor Elgersma from Wilfrid Laurier University and Kurtis Rourke from Indiana University.
Elgersma was the first ever Canadian university quarterback to attend the Senior Bowl where he impressed NFL scouts. He helped improve his stock at the University at Buffalo pro day, where he showcased his skills to NFL talent evaluators. In his senior season, he played 12 games for Laurier and threw for 4,252 yards with 34 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
Kurtis Rourke is the younger brother of B.C. Lions' quarterback Nathan Rourke. He attended Indiana for his senior season and threw for 3,042 yards with 29 touchdowns against five interceptions. Rourke was the Hoosiers starter, leading the team to an 11-2 record and College Football Playoff appearance.
With the CFL Combine in the Riders backyard, O'Day is familiar with his surroundings.
"It's convenient, especially for the guys that are in town that live here," O'Day said. "You know where everything is, you know where to go and then you also have your own support staff that's helping out. They're around the players a little bit here and there. Sleeping in your own bed is nice instead of having to sleep in the hotel."
When it comes down to choosing players, O’Day and his staff make sure to do their homework.
"It's a very fluid process," O'Day explained. "A lot of what we rely on is watching them on tape, the eye in the sky doesn't lie. They have to be good football players. There are some guys that are going to come out and be really good in testing and then you're not so excited about them on tape. It's a constant process. We involve our whole staff, our personnel department and our coaching staff to really try to make the best fit."
Saskatchewan currently has seven picks. The team's eighth-round pick was sent to the Calgary Stampeders in the trade for Jake Maier. The 2025 CFL Draft takes place on Tuesday, April 29.
