by Scouting Director
The Canadian Football League has reached that point of the season where some teams are surging ahead, others are falling behind, and some are still trying to find their identity. Every CFL team is always looking for players, but this particular time of the football calendar is especially important because of timing, player decisions, NFL cuts and overall roster availability.
We know the significance of the quarterback position, so we begin with the best available quarterbacks, ranked according to our extensive scouting evaluations. At this point in the season, projected availability is also an important factor in determining where these quarterbacks rank.
| 1 | Diego Pavia |
Free Agent |
| 2 | Seth Henigan |
Free Agent |
| 3 | Easton Stick |
Indianapolis Colts |
| 4 | Parker Navarro |
Free Agent |
| 5 | Cam Miller |
Miami Dolphins |
| 6 | Hendon Hooker |
Tennessee Titans |
| 7 | Joey Aguilar |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 8 | Jake Retzlaff |
Free Agent |
| 9 | Bailey Zappe |
New York Jets |
| 10 | Jack Strand |
Atlanta Falcons |
| 11 | Austin Reed |
Baltimore Ravens |
Notes:
Diego Pavia moves to the #1 spot over Seth Henigan based on probable availability. Both are currently free agents, with Pavia speculated to have other options outside of football. Until he decides he wants to be a professional QB, the CFL looks to be out of the picture. Seth Henigan, also a free agent, does still have NFL interest after being a June cut by the Indianapolis Colts. Both the Packers and Texans have shown interest.
One NFL team to watch this preseason is Jacksonville, where both Joey Aguilar and Carter Bradley are likely battling for the third spot. At this time, Bradley has more of a proven resume for the position. Aguilar, being an undrafted free agent, may soon be expendable and available to the CFL.
Another player to watch is Easton Stick with the Indianapolis Colts, who we now believe is more likely to be available than ever, which would change our rankings. Stick should be put on every CFL negotiation list while waiting for a Colts release. He would fit the CFL with his exceptional speed and mobility and loves to throw the football on the run. I watched him for years at NDSU, and he has a coaching mindset with a very high football IQ. Oh, and he is the winningest QB in NCAA history, going 49-3 and winning four national titles.
Jack Strand from Minnesota State-Moorhead is trying out for the Atlanta Falcons and may have a chance to earn a practice roster spot or sneak in and take the third-string position. I personally see him as an exceptional CFL prospect with a very solid arm that can make the throws. He is also highly intelligent, known to be elite in film study and able to read defenses. No surprise for an engineering physics major. There will be a transition adjustment going from Division II to the NFL, and if he really is as intelligent as advertised, he can find the CFL more useful for his overall development and be more likely to have personal success.