Senior Bowl adds Canadian QB Taylor Elgersma to roster, primed to be next unique prospect to take all-star game by storm

Every year, the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl invite NFL Draft prospects to their respective all-star games so they can show their skills to both National Football League scouts and the media.  Every year, multiple first-round picks play in these games, as well as lower level players who you might not have seen before. It's […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma (13) throws a pass to the left.
Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma (13) throws a pass to the left. Christian Bender, laurierathletics.com

Every year, the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl invite NFL Draft prospects to their respective all-star games so they can show their skills to both National Football League scouts and the media. 

Every year, multiple first-round picks play in these games, as well as lower level players who you might not have seen before. It's a great way to learn about these players and see how they thrive in both a unique environment and against the highest level of competition before they get to the NFL.

Both all-star games like to bring in players at the lower levels with the Senior Bowl having a long history of doing so. The one prospect that everyone will be keeping an eye on this year is from Canada: Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma.

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Taylor Elgersma looks to elevate at the Senior Bowl

Listed at 6'-6 and 212 lbs from London, Ontario, Elgersma played in 39 games for Laurier, completing 72% of his passes for 10,230 yards, 76 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions. Elgersma also led the Golden Hawks to the championship game for U Sports called the Vanier Cup. They lost 22-17 to Laval.

The idea of bringing in a player from Canada, especially at quarterback, is and interesting one. The game is much different north of the border with 12 players, forward motion, a much bigger field, and only three downs. Those factors change how the game is played, processed, and called from a schematic standpoint.

The director of the Senior Bowl Jim Nagy spoke with the 3 Down Nation podcast about bringing in Elgersma and why it's so important to bring him down because of the differences.

“It’s really a challenge and what it comes down to is: Do they have the physical tools to compete in the NFL? In terms of the actual level of competition, I think it’s comparable to our Division III here in the United States or Division II, some of our lower levels,” Nagy said.

“I know he’s got the right physical stuff. He’s got all the size and arm length and hand size — the stuff NFL quarterbacks tend to have — and the mobility. What’s it going to look like when there’s 21 other moving parts on the field? There’s no way to know that until you get them down here.”

Nagy is right. Elgersma has physical tools to work with. As Nagy mentioned, it's tough to make a comparison to 11 man football. Having 12 men along with the forward motion and three downs changes a lot. What it does do is speed up how you have to process things quickly.

Elgersma is a very good anticipatory thrower. He understands how to attack windows in space, especially with in-breaking routes. This will be valuable in the NFL, especially with how many offenses run a Shanahan-inspired offense.

Elgersma is also really good at attacking down the field. His arm is above-average and his cuts are even higher. Elgersma loves to hit seam routes, over, and nine routes and does so with consistency.

Overall, his arm talent is what's going to get him more looks. His arm strength isn't elite, but it's certainly capable to hit any throw you want. With that arm strength, he also can hit passes downfield with good accuracy.

Elgersma pairs it all with very active feet. The way he keeps them moving gives vibes of how Peyton Manning used to do so. By keeping them moving, he can set them quickly and fire down the field.

It's worth noting that Elgersma isn't a perfect prospect. He isn't consistent with his ball placement, struggles at times to drive the ball down the field, and has questionable decision-making. He isn't an elite player, but there is a lot of ability to his game. He currently looks like a player who would go in the seventh round or command a decent signing bonus as a priority free agent. If things don't work out in the NFL, he is the 20th-ranked prospect in the CFL Draft and would likely be an impactful player.

Once practices start in Mobile, all eyes will be on Elgersma and the talent is enough to take the football world by storm.

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