Argos’ DB Qwan’tez Stiggers a consensus winner from East-West Shrine Bowl week

Photo courtesy: Toronto Argonauts

Toronto Argonauts’ defensive back Qwan’tez Stiggers has emerged as one of the major winners from the East-West Shrine Bowl, strengthening his chance to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 22-year-old was the centre of attention throughout the three days of practice by virtue of his unique backstory, becoming the first professional player to ever participate in a college football all-star game. However, he backed it up with impressive performances in all the field workouts, landing on several top performer lists from notable draft analysts.

“He did a nice job. He’s a competitor. He goes in there, he wants to challenge those receivers,” West team head coach and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka told reporters early in the week.

“The rules and the way this game is kind of set up, there is not a whole bunch of press coverage so those DBs are out there on an island. They’ve got a bunch of space (to cover) with a bunch of quick receivers. Those guys have done a nice job of really being sticky in coverage.”

The dominant play continued during Thursday’s game, where Stiggers quietly logged one of the best outings. According to 3DownNation analyst Ben Grant, the CFL product saw action on 23 defensive snaps, 18 of which came as the starting right corner. He broke up the first pass of the game and then never had a ball thrown his way again, as quarterbacks elected to avoid the practice standout.

Stiggers also made a critical play on one of his four special teams snaps, saving a big return while serving as the safety on kickoff team. It was his lone tackle of the game as the West team won 28-11.

The solid showing has contributed to a growing consensus that Stiggers will be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, which could make him just the third player in league history to be drafted without playing college football. The Atlanta, Ga. native originally committed to Division II Lane College but was unable to play due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the untimely death of his father.

After a stint in the 7-on-7 Fan Controlled Football League in which he recorded 30 tackles and five interceptions and was named a finalist for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award, Stiggers was signed by the Argonauts. The six-foot, 197-pound defender earned a starting role at boundary cornerback coming out of training camp and played 15 games, recording 53 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, and five interceptions. He was named an East Division all-star and became the first defensive back to be named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie since 1998.

Stiggers was eligible to declare for the NFL Draft for the first time this offseason, finally being the required three years removed from high school. He could be the first player selected directly from the CFL this century, with the last being Argonauts defensive tackle Jermaine Haley, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 1999 Draft by the Miami Dolphins.

There is still a year remaining on Stiggers’ CFL rookie contract and the Argonauts are under no legal obligation to release him if he is drafted, as that would take place after the conclusion of the league’s NFL window. However, the organization has suggested they would entertain the possibility of a compassionate release and have been actively supportive of his NFL aspirations, granting him permission to attend the Shrine Bowl and participate in the upcoming University of Georgia pro day.

If he performs well there, the CFL’s most exciting young defensive back is likely to hear his name called in Detroit, Mich. between April 25 and 27 during the 2024 NFL Draft.

JC Abbott
J.C. Abbott is a University of British Columbia graduate and high school football coach. He covers the CFL, B.C. Lions, CFL Draft and the three-down league's Global initiative.