WLU quarterback waits to hear name called at NFL Draft

With the NFL draft kicking off Thursday, local football fans will be watching a Laurier Golden Hawks quarterback closely. CTV's Colton Wiens reports.

The wait is nearly over for Taylor Elgersma’s NFL dreams as the 2025 draft is set for Apr. 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) Golden Hawks quarterback has spoken with all kinds of professional football teams and now hopes to hear his name called during this week’s NFL draft.

“Super excited. I mean, obviously it’s been a long journey and an exciting process, but I think that it’s pretty exciting that no matter what, I’ll be starting a new chapter here in a couple of days,” Elgersma told CTV News in an interview on Wednesday. “So, I’m just looking forward to that.”

The three-day NFL Draft will consist of 257 picks, and Elgersma will be eagerly watching.

“I’m going to be here in Waterloo with some family, with the roommates that have been with me for a long time and so it’ll be nice to spend the day with them,” Elgersma said.

“Very rarely are we tuning in thinking one of our very own Golden Hawks is going to hear their name called,” said Michael Faulds, head coach of the Wilfrid Laurier Football Team. “So we’re super proud of Taylor, super excited for him and his family.”

Elgersma made a name for himself on this side of the border. He won the Hec Crighton Award as the most outstanding football player in U Sports this past season, along with leading the Golden Hawks to the national championship game this year. His performance earned him a spot in several NCAA showcases including the Senior Bowl, the marquee event for NFL prospects.

Faulds said because Elgersma plays in Canada, NFL scouts haven’t had much of an opportunity to see him in action. But when he was asked to play in the Senior Bowl, Faulds started receiving calls from NFL teams.

“It was pretty accelerated as soon as he got announced to the Senior Bowl,” Faulds said. “At least 20 NFL teams had reached out within a 48-hour period. So, lots of excitement, lots of buzz. Now it’s kind of the waiting game to see where he might end up. But there’s excitement in that as well.”

Since his Senior Bowl performance, Elgersma has had a Pro Day at the University of Buffalo and a pre-draft visit with the Green Bay Packers. The London, Ont. native said he doesn’t care what team he goes to, he just wants to play at the next level.

“A big thing for me is getting in the building and whether that comes through draft or free agency, you got to go win a job at the end of the day,” Elgersma said. “And so that’s what I’m focused on when I get an opportunity to go into a building, to go make the most of it.”

Most media rank Elgersma on the lower end of eligible quarterbacks, but Faulds is confident he’ll turn pro.

“I think a lot of coaches and people around the NFL have told us he’s kind of a day three guy, which for non draft people that means the Saturday of the draft, which would be exciting,” Faulds said. “So, hearing his name called in the sixth or seventh round would be outstanding. But even if not, I think it’s safe to say a team will sign him shortly after. But hearing your name called is something that can happen just once in your lifetime. And something that I know Taylor wants. All of us are super excited for him to have that happen.”

Even if Elgersma doesn’t break into the NFL, he’s also amongst the top ranked players for the CFL draft next week.

“Football is football and I can play football,” Elgersma said. “That’s what my mindset has been and what my mindset is going to continue to be.”

Faulds said Elgersma’s success has also helped WLU with recruitment going forward.

“Taylor kind of paved the way that you can be trained here at a U Sport program and still have opportunities,” Faulds said.

The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday and runs through Saturday.

The 2025 CFL Draft is Apr. 29.

Canadian QB’s during NFL Draft

There is another Canadian quarterback to keep an eye on during the NFL draft.

Oakville native Kurtis Rourke is the younger brother of BC Lions QB, Nathan Rourke. Kurtis was the top-rated high school player in Canada in 2018.

He started his NCAA career with Ohio University, eventually transferring to Indiana.