Position: Quarterback Undrafted: 2009 Name Drew Willy | Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight 98 kg College: Buffalo Date joined 2014 | |
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Date of birth: (1986-11-13) November 13, 1986 (age 29) Role American football quarterback Current team Winnipeg Blue Bombers (#5 / Quarterback) Education Randolph High School, University at Buffalo Similar People Woody Johnson, Todd Bowles, Rex Ryan Profiles | ||
Place of birth: Randolph, New Jersey | ||
Quarterback Drew Willy at Argos training camp
Drew Willy (born November 13, 1986) is a professional Canadian football quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). 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, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts.
Contents
- Quarterback Drew Willy at Argos training camp
- Rapid fire questions drew willy
- Early years
- College career
- Baltimore Ravens
- Indianapolis Colts
- Las Vegas Locomotives
- New York Jets
- San Diego Chargers
- Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Toronto Argonauts
- Montreal Alouettes
- References
Rapid fire questions drew willy
Early years
Willy attended Randolph High School in Randolph, New Jersey, prior to choosing the University at Buffalo. At Randolph High, Willy set school records for career passing yards (5,387) and touchdowns (51).
College career
At the University at Buffalo, Willy started each of his four seasons, including eight games as a true freshman. 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.
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.
Baltimore Ravens
Willy signed with the Baltimore Ravens after going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft on April 27, 2009. He was waived on June 18, 2009. He was re-signed on August 15 after a shoulder injury to quarterback John Beck, 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. 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 future 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. 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.
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. 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. 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. In two seasons with the Roughriders, Willy was utilized in a backup role. He dressed in all 36 games, and started four, passing for 1,182 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
On February 6, 2014, Willy was traded to the Blue Bombers for non-import wide receiver Jade Etienne. 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.
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. 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. 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. 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. Were Willy to start every game in 2017, he would have earned just over $305,000 and more than $415,000 in 2018. However, Willy was cut by the Argos on June 17, 2017.
Montreal Alouettes
On June 26, 2017, the Montreal Alouettes announced that they had signed Willy to a one-year contract.