Drew Willy

Last updated
Drew Willy
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Preseason June 13 vs OTT (27462193610) (cropped).jpg
Willy with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2016
Born: (1986-11-13) November 13, 1986 (age 37)
Randolph, New Jersey, U.S.
Career information
CFL status American
Position(s) QB
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight214 lb (97 kg)
College Buffalo
High school Randolph (NJ)
Hand Right
Career history
As player
2009 Baltimore Ravens*
2009 Indianapolis Colts
2010 Las Vegas Locomotives
2011 New York Jets*
2011 San Diego Chargers*
2012–2013 Saskatchewan Roughriders
2014–2016 Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2016 Toronto Argonauts
2017–2018 Montreal Alouettes
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • Grey Cup champion (2013)
  • UFL champion (2010)
  • MAC champion (2008)
  • CFL Top Performers of the Week (Weeks 1, 6 2014, Weeks 1, 6 2015)
Career stats
Pass attempts1,243
Pass completions833
TD–INT43–32
Passing yards9,652
Passer rating91.1

Drew Willy (born November 13, 1986) is an American former professional Canadian football quarterback. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Buffalo. Willy has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Locomotives, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, and most notably the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Toronto Argonauts, and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Contents

Early years

Willy attended Randolph High School in Randolph, New Jersey, prior to choosing the University at Buffalo. [1] At Randolph High, Willy set school records for career passing yards (5,387) and touchdowns (51).

College career

Willy during his tenure at Buffalo Drew Willy.jpg
Willy during his tenure at Buffalo

At the University at Buffalo, Willy started each of his four seasons, including eight games as a true freshman. [2] In 2008, he took Buffalo to their first MAC Championship Game, where they upset heavily favored and previously undefeated Ball State Cardinals led by Nate Davis. Prior to the 2009 NFL Draft, he was invited to the 2009 NFL Combine and was considered a potential late-round draft choice. [3]

Willy was the most prolific passer in Buffalo football history. As a four-year starter, he set school records for completions (849), attempts (1,322), passing yards (8,748), touchdowns (52), total offense (8,639), and completion percentage (64.2). During the final 20 games of his college career, Willy threw 36 touchdown passes and only six interceptions.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Willy signed with the Baltimore Ravens after going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft on April 27, 2009. [4] He was waived on June 18, 2009. He was re-signed on August 15 after a shoulder injury to quarterback John Beck, [5] with the team placing defensive tackle Lamar Divens on injured reserve to make room for Willy on the roster only to be waived again on August 31.

Indianapolis Colts

Willy was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad on December 9, 2009. [6] He was promoted to the active roster on December 26, 2009. He was waived on December 29 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was signed to a futures contract on February 11, 2010. He was released by the Colts in July 2010.

Las Vegas Locomotives

Willy signed with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League in August 2010.

He made his UFL debut on October 23 in the place of injured Locos starting QB, Tim Rattay. He completed 18 of 29 passes that day for 191 yards and a touchdown. [7] The Locos won the game against the Hartford Colonials, 24–21.

New York Jets

Willy was signed to a reserve/future contract with the New York Jets on January 7, 2011. [8] [9]

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers signed Willy to their practice squad on September 5, 2011.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On February 28, 2012, it was announced that Willy had signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. [10] Willy made his first CFL start on September 16, 2012, in Montreal against the Montreal Alouettes. He completed 22-of-35 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions in a losing effort. [11] Willy earned his first CFL win as a starter on July 27, 2013, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats where he completed 14 of 25 pass attempts for 269 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions in relief of the injured Darian Durant. [12] In two seasons with the Roughriders, Willy was utilized in a backup role. He dressed in all 36 games over his two years with the team, and started four, passing for 1,182 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Willy was also a part of the 101st Grey Cup champion team in 2013.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Willy with the Blue Bombers in 2016 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Preseason June 13 vs OTT (27130062663) (cropped).jpg
Willy with the Blue Bombers in 2016

On February 6, 2014, Willy was traded to the Blue Bombers for non-import wide receiver Jade Etienne. [13] In his first year as a starter Willy lead the Bombers to a record of 7 wins and 11 losses. He played in 17 of the 18 regular season games. In the spring of 2015 Willy and the Blue bombers agreed to a contract extension through the 2017 season. In week 7 of the 2015 CFL season Willy left the game with a right knee injury: Two days later it was announced that Willy suffered a tibial plateau fracture and partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament. He was expected to miss 6 to 8 weeks, possibly longer. [14]

Toronto Argonauts

On September 11, 2016, Willy was traded to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for defensive back T.J. Heath, a 1st Round Pick in 2017, and a 3rd Round Pick in 2018. [15] Willy made his first appearance in Week 14, and his first start the following week. Following his start for the Argos, Willy was announced as the starting quarterback for the remaining 4 games of the season. [16] However, after making three starts Willy was once again relegated to the backup role and incumbent Ricky Ray took over the starting role in Week 18. [17] On January 2, 2017, Drew Willy and the Argos agreed to a contract restructuring which extended his contract through the 2018 season. Willy was reportedly scheduled to receive a $100,000 bonus later on January 15. [18] Were Willy to start every game in 2017, he would have earned just over $305,000 and more than $415,000 in 2018. [19] However, Willy was cut by the Argos on June 17, 2017. [20]

Montreal Alouettes

On June 26, 2017, the Montreal Alouettes announced that they had signed Willy to a one-year contract. [21] Willy appeared in 12 games for the Alouettes in 2017, completing 54 of 79 pass attempts for 547 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Willy was re-signed by the Alouettes on the second day of free agency. [22] At the start of training camp Willy and Matt Shiltz were the leading candidates to be the Als' starting quarterback to begin the 2018 season. [23] Willy started the first three games of the season before suffering a concussion in the third quarter in the team's Week 3 victory over the Roughriders. [24] Willy would miss the following game against the Redblacks, (played by Jeff Mathews) but returned to play against the Stampeders in Week 6: However, Willy left the game with a hand injury, and did not return. [25] [26] Following Montreal's 2018 season, which saw the team trade for Johnny Manziel, and sign backup quarterbacks Matthews, Antonio Pipkin and Vernon Adams to extensions, [27] Willy was released in December. [28]

In August 2019 the Blue Bombers reached out to Willy following an injury to starting quarterback Matt Nichols, however Willy and the Bombers were unable to come to an agreement and he remained a free-agent. [29]

CFL statistics

 Passing Rushing
YearTeamGamesStartedAttCompPctYardsTDIntRatingAttYardsAvgLongTDFumb
2012 SSK 182956972.67095493.7331153.51841
2013 SSK 182523261.547341108.918221.2301
2014 WPG 171747830563.83,769141683.9362246.21825
2015 WPG 7715610768.61,43483106.6191618.53001
2016 WPG 11513719171.71,4735492.213846.52002
2016 TOR 547711368.16813199110.13402
2017 MTL 122547968.45471281.617663.91210
2018 MTL 447711365.85663194.16223.7801
CFL totals 92438331,24367.09,652433291.11517855.234713

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Calvillo</span> Canadian-American football player and instructor

Anthony Calvillo is an American coach and retired player of Canadian football. He is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and a former professional Canadian football quarterback. He was professional football's all-time passing yards leader from 2011 to 2020, and is first in all-time CFL passing yards. In his career, he passed for 79,816 yards and is one of ten professional quarterbacks to have completed over 400 touchdown passes. His reign ended in 2020 when Brees surpassed him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Ray</span> American gridiron football player (born 1979)

Ricky Ray is an American former professional Canadian football quarterback. Ray spent the majority of his professional career with the Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He also briefly spent time in the af2, as well as with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Ray is the all-time leader in passing yardage, pass completions, and passing touchdowns for both the Edmonton Elks and Toronto Argonauts. He won a Grey Cup championship four times as a starter, in 2003, 2005, 2012, and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Glenn</span> American gridiron football player (born 1979)

Kevin Glenn, Jr. is a former American professional Canadian football quarterback. He was originally signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He played college football for the Illinois State Redbirds and high school football at Detroit St. Martin de Porres. Glenn is a journeyman quarterback who is the only player to ever have had his rights held by every team in the CFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Tate</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1984)

Drew Tate is an American gridiron football coach and former player. He was most recently the receivers coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football as a quarterback at the University of Iowa and was signed by the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2007. Tate has played professionally for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa Redblacks in the CFL. He was a defensive analyst at Coastal Carolina University in 2018, before coming out of retirement to rejoin the Roughriders. On December 17, 2018, Tate retired from playing and was named quarterbacks coach for the BC Lions the following day. He has also been a coach for the TSL Alphas, and at UT Martin and the University of Northern Iowa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darian Durant</span> American gridiron football player (born 1982)

Darian Bernard Durant is a former professional Canadian football quarterback. He played college football at the University of North Carolina. By the end of his college career, he held school records for completion percentage, touchdowns, passing yards, total offense and completions. Durant was signed as a free agent by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2006, and became the club's full-time starting quarterback in 2009. He was named a CFL West Division All-Star in 2009 and 2013. Durant was the starting quarterback when the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the 101st Grey Cup in 2013 on their home field. Durant also played for the Montreal Alouettes in 2017. His brother Justin played in the National Football League as a linebacker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Dinwiddie</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1980)

Ryan Dinwiddie is the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts and is a former professional Canadian football quarterback. After playing college football at Boise State University, he went undrafted and signed with the Chicago Bears, however he was cut from their training camp. Dinwiddie later went on to play professionally for the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europe, and also played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominique Davis</span> American gridiron football player (born 1989)

Dominique Dion Davis is an American professional football quarterback for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Davis played college football at Boston College, Fort Scott Community College and East Carolina University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naaman Roosevelt</span> American gridiron football player (born 1987)

Naaman I. Roosevelt is an American former professional football wide receiver who is currently the receivers coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). During his playing career, he was a member of the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Montreal Alouettes and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He played college football for the Buffalo Bulls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Collaros</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Zachary J. Collaros is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Collaros won the 107th Grey Cup and 108th Grey Cup as the starting quarterback with the Blue Bombers when they defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in both games. He had previously won the Grey Cup as the backup quarterback with the Toronto Argonauts in the 100th Grey Cup. Collaros played football at the University of Cincinnati, and has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Harris</span> American gridiron football player (born 1986)

Trevor Harris is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Harris has also played in the Arena Football League and United Football League. He played college football at Edinboro University. As Edinboro's starting quarterback, he broke "every career passing record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference" and was a two-time finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded each year to the individual selected as the most valuable player in NCAA Division II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Nichols</span> American football player (born 1987)

Matt Nichols is an American former professional Canadian football quarterback. He last played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Nichols played college football at Eastern Washington. He has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, and Toronto Argonauts. He officially retired in July of 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Ellingson</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Greg Ellingson is an American professional Canadian football wide receiver for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Florida International. He has also been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans VooDoo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Storm, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ottawa Redblacks, Edmonton Elks, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Fajardo</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Cody Michael Fajardo is an American professional football quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Levi Mitchell</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Bo Levi Mitchell is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He originally signed with the Calgary Stampeders in 2012 and became the team's starting quarterback for the 2014 season, setting a number of club and league records including best record for a first time starting quarterback in league history. He won the 102nd Grey Cup in 2014, the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award in 2016 and 2018, and the 106th Grey Cup in 2018. With his second Grey Cup win as starter, he became the first quarterback to start and win multiple Grey Cup games with the Stampeders organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vernon Adams</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Vernon Anthony Adams Jr. is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Eastern Washington Eagles and Oregon Ducks. He has also been a member of the Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Brandon Colin Bridge, nicknamed Air Canada, is a former professional Canadian football quarterback. He was previously a member of the Montreal Alouettes, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and BC Lions. He was drafted in the fourth round, 31st overall, by the Alouettes in the 2015 CFL Draft. He played college football at Alcorn State and South Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dane Evans</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Stephen Dane Evans is an American former professional gridiron football quarterback who played for six seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He has been a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and BC Lions. He played college football at Tulsa.

David Watford is an American football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football at Virginia for three seasons before transferring to Hampton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew Shiltz</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Matthew Shiltz is a gridiron football quarterback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played NCAA football for the Butler Bulldogs. Shiltz made his professional debut for the Montreal Alouettes in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Pipkin</span> American gridiron football player (born 1995)

Antonio Pipkin is a Canadian football quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Tiffin. Pipkin has also been a member of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL), and the Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Football Team, Toronto Argonauts, BC Lions, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL.

References

  1. ↑ McKissic, Rodney. "Willy bowls over UB coaches", The Buffalo News , August 2, 2008. Accessed July 27, 2009. "Willy had worked under a different offensive coordinator and offensive system for four straight seasons, dating from his senior season at Randolph High School in New Jersey, and said he is thrilled because he spent a second straight off-season studying under Gill and quarterbacks coach Danny Barrett."
  2. ↑ Drew Willy Archived April 18, 2009, at the Wayback Machine at UB Athletics
  3. ↑ Drew Willy Archived 2017-10-29 at the Wayback Machine at NFL Draft Scout
  4. ↑ "The Spectrum - redirect". Archived from the original on 2010-06-19. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  5. ↑ Florio, Mike (August 15, 2009). "Cleo gets a chance in Baltimore". Pro Football Talk . Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". www.indystar.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ↑ "Locos 24, Colonials 21 Game summary". Archived from the original on October 26, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Jets sign Drew Willy, T.J. Conley". Yahoo! Sports. January 7, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  9. ↑ Mehta, Manish (September 3, 2011). "Jets name Willy starter for week 1; make two trades". New York Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Riders sign QBs Brennan and Willy". Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
  11. ↑ "Rookie pivot holds his own in Durant's absence | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League". Archived from the original on 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  12. ↑ "Willy up to task as Riders out-gun Ticats in Guelph | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League". Archived from the original on 2013-07-31. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
  13. ↑ "Getting their man: Bombers acquire QB Willy from Riders". Cfl.ca. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  14. ↑ "Drew Willy, Blue Bombers QB, out 6-8 weeks with right knee injury". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  15. ↑ "Blue Bombers ship Willy to Argos; acquire Glenn in trade with Als". CFL.ca. 2016-09-11. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  16. ↑ "Willy the Argos' starter for rest of season". 2016-10-03. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  17. ↑ "Can Ricky Ray rescue the Toronto Argonauts' season? | Toronto Star". The Toronto Star. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  18. ↑ "Argos restucture QB Drew Willy's contract". CBC Sports. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  19. ↑ Sportsnet, Justin DunkJustin Dunk was a five-year starter at quarterback for the University of Guelph He covers the league for; 3DownNation. (2017-01-02). "Drew Willy, Argos agree to terms on new contract". 3DownNation. Retrieved 2017-01-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ "Argos release quarterback Drew Willy". CFL.ca. 2017-06-17. Retrieved 2017-06-18.
  21. ↑ "Alouettes sign QB Drew Willy". CFL.ca. Canadian Football League. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  22. ↑ "Alouettes re-sign QB Drew Willy - CFL.ca". CFL.ca. 2018-02-14. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  23. ↑ "Willy, Shiltz lead battle for Als starting QB job - Article - TSN". TSN. 2018-05-22. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  24. ↑ "Injury sidelines Willy during Als' win over Riders - CFL.ca". CFL.ca. 2018-06-30. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  25. ↑ "Alouettes hand keys to plodding offence back to QB Drew Willy". Montreal Gazette. 2018-07-19. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  26. ↑ "Montreal QB Drew Willy leaves game against Calgary with hand injury". National Post. 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  27. ↑ "Als extend Pipkin, Mathews and Adams Jr". Cfl.ca. 28 October 2018.
  28. ↑ "Alouettes release quarterback Drew Willy". 3DownNation.com. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  29. ↑ "Bombers talked to QB Drew Willy about a return, but it didn't work out". 3DownNation.com. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.