Courtesy Toronto Star:

University of Regina’s Teale Orban became the first quarterback from a Canadian university to be selected by a CFL team in five years when he was plucked by his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders in last week’s draft.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder was the West Conference nominee for the 2007 Hec Crighton Award as the Canadian Interuniversity Sports’ outstanding player. He led the CIS in touchdown passes (22) and passing yards (2,273) while breaking the school’s single-game records for completions (38) and attempts (54).

Despite such sterling credentials, there are those who feel he’ll have a tough time making the Riders’ lineup because of the current CFL roster structure.

A CFL team’s game-day roster must consist of 20 non-imports (Canadians), 19 imports (Americans) and three quarterbacks (either designation, but historically Americans).

Tommy Denison won back-to-back Crighton awards (2002-03) while quarterbacking at Queen’s University but was not drafted. He signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a free agent, didn’t make the team and joined the Calgary Stampeders for a year. He tried out with the Argos in 2005 but was released.

“I’m grateful for the chance I got,” said Denison, but added there is no incentive for CFL teams to spend time developing a Canadian quarterback.

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