WATERLOO, Ont. - Former Golden Hawks quarterback Taylor Elgersma put pen to paper, signing as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers.  

The 23 year-old from London, Ont. becomes the fourth quarterback from a Canadian university to sign with an NFL team after Jamie Bone (Dallas Cowboys in 1980), Dan Feraday (Cincinnati Bengals in 1982), and Steve Samways (Cincinnati Bengals in 1987). He is the first to sign since the rebrand to U SPORTS in 2016. 

"There were a lot of emotions," Elgersma said. "This was a lot of hard work and a long journey to get to this. When I didn't hear my name called on draft night, of course, there was disappointment. But my path was a little different. I think it speaks volumes to controlling what you can control." 

"I have a ton of pride in being a Canadian athlete and specifically a Canadian football player who played U SPORTS and got to represent football on the other side of the border on the biggest stage in the world." 

"It means so much to me to be the fourth U SPORTS quarterback to sign an NFL contract. You see how many great quarterbacks have come before me. They paved the way. To put pen to paper in the NFL is something super surreal." 

"We are incredibly proud of Taylor and so excited for him," Laurier's manager of football operations and head coach Michael Faulds said. "Anyone that gets to watch him throw live comes away impressed, and I'm so glad that the Packers staff got to, and are now going to sign him."  

Elgersma's career as a Golden Hawk has been highly decorated. The two-time OUA MVP and 2024 Hec Crighton winner led the purple and gold to the program's ninth Yates Cup championship, and its first Uteck Bowl win and Vanier Cup appearance since 2005. 

He began turning heads south of the border when he accepted an invitation to the College Gridiron Showcase in January. It would ultimately be a sign for things to come, as over 900 participants have been given professional opportunities since the inaugural event in 2015. 

Then, Elgersma became the first-ever U SPORTS quarterback to be selected to participate in the most prestigious college football all-star game: the Reese's Senior Bowl. This marked the beginning of the NFL draft process for Elgersma and others in attendance. 

Justin Dunk of 3Down Nation reported that Packers passing game coordinator Jason Vrable was on hand for the event, kick-starting the team's interest in the London, Ont., native. Elgersma attended the University of Buffalo Pro Day, being watched by numerous scouts, including one the Packers had sent. 

As the draft approached, Green Bay brought Elgersma to a top 30 visit at Lambeau Field, where Packers head coach Matt LaFleur had plenty of positive remarks, "We had him in on a 30 visit, so we got an opportunity to sit down with him, another guy that loves football. Watching him throw — he's got a live arm — so there's a lot to like about him." 

After going undrafted in the NFL Draft, the CFL held their draft where the Winnipeg Blue Bombers took him 18th overall, making him the highest drafted U SPORTS quarterback since Tre Ford went 8th overall in 2022. 

The NFL was not closed off to Elgersma in the slightest, as the Packers sent him an invitation to their rookie minicamp.  

"I know that playing in Canada, there are a lot of questions about whether I could play at that level. And this was my first opportunity to show them that I could compete with those guys, in their building for three straight days, that I could digest playbooks, that I could handle the pace of the game," Elgersma reflected. 

Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated reported that LaFleur once again sent out his praises, saying, "I think just coming from where he's coming from to this level, I think there's going to be a big learning curve. But if there's anybody that will attack it head-on, Taylor will." 

"I know there was some disappointment after the NFL draft, but he was given the opportunity to attend the minicamp with Green Bay and, like always, he made the most of it," Faulds said. 

Elgersma also spoke on the next generation of Canadian football players, saying, "I hope that just like I looked at guys that were doing it before me, that guys that are coming up after me can look at me and it can motivate them to go chase their dreams, and hopefully there's more of us who get the opportunity in the future."