The CFL has unveiled the nine quarterbacks set to take part in this year’s QB Internship program, headlined by Vanier Cup winner Arnaud Desjardins of Laval.
The program was launched in 2010 and grants underclassmen quarterbacks playing in Canada the chance to attend training camp with a CFL club. Players participate in practices and attend all team and positional meetings, honing their skills alongside their professional counterparts.
Previous CFL quarterbacks to participate in the program before making an impact in the league include Edmonton Elks’ 2022 first-round pick Tre Ford (2018 MTL, 2019 HAM), recent B.C. Lions’ backup Michael O’Connor (2015 and 2016 BC, 2018 TOR), and former Calgary Stampeders’ backup Andrew Buckley (2014 CGY).
This year’s class will the Rouge et Or star Desjardins join the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while fellow CFL Combine underclassmen Eli Hetlinger of Alberta and Ben Maracle of Ottawa will train with the Elks and Redblacks respectively. The B.C. Lions will host a rare participant from the Canadian Junior Football League in Te Jessie, the Stampeders received Silas Fagnan from St. FX, and the Roughriders claimed Regina Rams pivot Noah Pelletier. Out East, the Tiger-Cats will receive Alex Vreeken from Queen’s, Laurier signal caller Taylor Elgersma is bound for the Argonauts, and the Montreal Alouettes will get the the first look a new UBC quarterback Jack Zergiotis, who recently transferred from the NCAA.
CFL rookie camps open May 10 with training camps set to kick off May 14. Biographical information on all participants can be found below.
CFL QB INTERNSHIP – CLASS OF 2023
(Team | Name | School | Hometown)
BC | TE JESSIE | WESTSHORE (CJFL) | WINNIPEG
- Last season, played in 10 games and passed for 2,864 yards
- Completed 55.4 percent of his passes for 28 touchdowns
- Added 290 rushing yards and six scores
- In 2022, named Peter Dalla Riva Outstanding Offensive Player, CJFL first-Team All-Canadian and a BCFC All-Star.
EDMONTON | ELI HETLINGER | UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA | EDMONTON
- In his first year, played in five games for the Golden Bears and had 1,396 passing yards
- Nine touchdown passes and three rushing majors
- Surpassed 300-yard passing mark in three of five games
- 2023 CFL Combine participant as an underclassman
CALGARY | SILAS FAGNAN | ST. FRANCIS XAVIER | BONNYVILLE, ALTA.
- Led AUS in passing with 1,935 yards, with 59.4 percent completion rate
- 13 touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown and 233 rushing yards
- 2021 AUS Most Outstanding Player (2021) and two-time AUS All-Star (2021, 2022)
SASKATCHEWAN | NOAH PELLETIER | UNIVERSITY OF REGINA| REGINA
- Started all eight Canada West games
- 1,691 passing yards – third most by a UofR player in first season of eligibility
- 55.6 percent completion rate and 10 touchdown passes
WINNIPEG | ARNAUD DESJARDINS | LAVAL UNIVERSITY | MONTREAL
- 2022 Vanier Cup champion
- Led U SPORTS in passing touchdowns (20) and completion percentage (73.0)
- Six 300+ passing yard games last season
- Second in U SPORTS with 2,555 passing yards
- 2022 First-Team All-Canadian, RSEQ All-Star
- 2023 CFL Combine participant as an underclassman
HAMILTON | ALEX VREEKEN | QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY | KINGSTON, ONT.
- Played in 11 games last season with six starts
- 1,337 passing yards, six touchdowns and five rushing scores
- 58.8 percent completion rate
TORONTO | TAYLOR ELGERSMA | WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY | LONDON, ONT.
- In first full season as starter, finished with 1,786 passing yards in eight games
- Completed 66.2 per cent of passes for 13 touchdowns
- 111 rushing yards and one major
OTTAWA | BEN MARACLE | UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA | TYENDINAGA, ONT.
- 19 regular season starts for the Gee-Gees
- 3,684 career passing yards, with 20 touchdown passes and four rushing majors
- In 2022, career-highs in completion rate (59.4 percent), passing yards (1,411) and touchdown passes (nine)
- Two-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian (2021, 2022)
- 2023 CFL Combine participant as an underclassman
MONTREAL | JACK ZERGIOTIS | UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA | MONTREAL
- In 2022, transferred to UBC after one season with Merrimack Warriors
- Before Merrimack, played at University of Connecticut (2019, 2021)
- In two seasons with Connecticut, completed 54.3 percent of passes for 2,107 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games
- At Merrimack, played in five games, completing 49.1 percent of passes for 667 yards and seven touchdowns
