WATERLOO, Ont. – A trio of Golden Hawks saw their hard work pay off as the Canadian Football League's 2025 draft class was announced on Tuesday night.
 
The first Golden Hawk to hear his name called was quarterback Taylor Elgersma, drafted 18th overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
 
Elgersma made another entry into the record book as the first Laurier quarterback to be drafted in program history. He is also the ninth Golden Hawk to be selected by the Bombers, and first since linebacker Tanner Cadwallader in 2020.
 
Over his career at Laurier, Elgersma racked up 10,547 passing yards, 78 touchdowns, 605 rushing yards, and 18 rushing touchdowns. He also sat atop the U SPORTS charts in touchdowns (20), yards per game (330.4), and total passing yards (2,659) in the 2024 regular season.
 
The 2024 Hec Crighton winner joins a storied Winnipeg franchise that is no stranger to playing under the bright lights, having 12 Grey Cup titles under their belts along with a league leading 29 appearances.
 
What is more is that Elgersma will play understudy to three-time Grey Cup champion, two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player, Grey Cup MVP, and 13 year veteran Zach Collaros.
 
After appearing at the College Gridiron Showcase and becoming the first U SPORTS quarterback to receive an invite to the Reese's Senior Bowl, Elgersma has also received rookie mini-camp invites from the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills.
 
Next off the board, selected 51st overall by the Ottawa Redblacks, was receiver Ethan Jordan.
 
Jordan finished the 2024 regular season as the nation's best receiver, sitting first in receptions (59), touchdowns (10), yards per game (125) and total yards (1,000), becoming the first Golden Hawks receiver to reach the 1,000 yard milestone.
 
Over his Laurier career, Jordan amassed 3,274 receiving yards with 27 touchdowns, along with being named a two-time OUA first team all-star, two-time first team U SPORTS All-Canadian, and second team All-Canadian.
 
Joining Jordan in the nation's capital is 60th overall selection by the Redblacks, linebacker Jayden Griffiths.
 
Despite not advancing from the invitational to the national combine, he drew plenty of attention on the regional stage. Griffiths's bench (15x225), vertical (31.5 inches), and shuttle (4.44 seconds) were tied for third best on the day for the linebackers at the University of Waterloo's Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House.
 
During his time wearing the purple and gold, Griffiths recorded 75 tackles – 58 of those solo – 1.5 sacks for nine lost yards, and seven pass break-ups.
 
Jordan and Griffiths become only the fifth and sixth Golden Hawks to call Ottawa home, and the first since Donnie Ruiz in 2002, back when the Redblacks were the Renegades.
 
Rookie camps open league wide on May 7 with training camps officially getting underway on May 11.

The CFL regular season kicks off on June 5.