May 29, 2016

The Coors Light Training Camp 2016 Quarterback Rundown

All eyes of the Rider Nation are on the Achilles tendon of veteran quarterback Darian Durant. After essentially missing all of 2015, as well as the second half of 2014 with an elbow injury, fans watched with bated breath. 

Every drop back, every pass, every run and every play the former North Carolina Tar Heel takes part in will be subject to at least one set of eyes.

Head Coach, Chris Jones has seen Darian at his best–stops in Montreal, Toronto and Calgary (where Durant had a 500-yard passing day against Jones’ Stampeder defence on September 17, 2010) as their defensive coordinator, so Jones truly understands what Durant means to the team on the field. 

The next step is to make it to the regular-season then every week is another step in the return of Darian Durant to the top of the CFL quarterbacking ranks.

Behind Durant is one familiar face in Brett Smith. The second year pro from Wyoming finished the CFL season with style in Montreal, picking up his first win with a 30-24 come from behind overtime victory. 

He will battle for the number two spot with a pair of former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga stars; B.J. Coleman and Jacob Huesman. 

DSC_0065Also in camp is CIS Quarterback Internship Program player out of Acadia, Nick Bynkoski.

Here’s a quick look at all five pivots in camp:

#4 Darian Durant (11th Season, North Carolina):

5’11” 214 lbs.

The CFL veteran has spent his whole career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders after being acquired from the Hamilton Tiger Cats and signing with the Green and White in 2006.

Since then, Durant has appeared in three Grey Cups, winning one in 2013 at Mosaic Stadium.

Durant is currently third on:

 – The Riders all-time passing list with 24,668 yards just 1958 behind Kent Austin.

 – the Riders all-time pass attempts list with 3087, 326 behind Austin

 – the Riders all-time completions list with 1896, 86 behind Austin

 – the Riders all-time touchdown pass list with 135, 16 behind Austin

Prior to the Riders, Darian Durant was a four-year starter with the North Carolina Tar Heels and had a record setting career: 

 – Was twice named to the ACC’s all-conference academic team (2003-04)

 – second in total career offence with 9360 yards. He was surpassed for top spot by Marquise Williams last season with his 10,423

 – second behind T.J. Yates on the passing yards list with 8755

 – most passing TD’s in a career with 68DSC_0047

#16 Brett Smith (2nd Season, Wyoming):

6’02” 206 lbs.

The second year CFL pro stepped in last season for an injured Kevin Glenn and picked up his first CFL win in the Riders’ season finale in Montreal. Smith was solid142-224 for 1822 yards with 15 touchdowns to just 9 interceptions last season.

Prior to coming to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Smith had a record breaking career at the University of Wyoming. He is the Cowboy all-time record holder in the following:

 – Career touchdown passes (76)

 – Passing yards in a game (498 versus Hawaii in 2013)

 – Single season pass attempts (467 in 2013)

 – Single season completions (213 in 2013)

 – Average pass completions per game (24.4 in 2013)

 – Career completion record (61.9%)

 – Completion percentage in a season (62.7 in 2013)

#15 B.J. Coleman (1st season, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga):

6’03” 225 lbs.

The first year CFL pro is no stranger to professional football. Coleman was a 7th round pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2012 and spent that season on their practice roster. Was released by the Packers at the start of the 2013 season. Played a part of the 2015 year with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League.DSC_0030

Coleman began his college career with the University of Tennessee Volunteers in 2007 and 2008 before transferring to Tennessee at Chattanooga for his final three seasons (2009-2011) and led the Mocs in passing all three seasons. He finished second in the UT-Chattanooga record books in:

 – Career passing touchdowns (52, second to Jacob Huesman)

 – Career200+ yard passing games (22)

 – Career 300+ yard passing games (6)

 – third in career passing yards (6871)

#19 Jacob Huesman (1st season, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)

6’02” 220 lbs.DSC_0183

The first year pro just completed a record setting career at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Huesman replaced B.J. Coleman as the Mocs staeting quarterback and finished his four year career (2012-15) as their all time leader in:

 – Career passing yards (8192)

 – Career passing touchdowns (64)

 – Career completion percentage (67.3)

Huesman also had back to back 2000 yard passing, 1000 yard rushing seasons in 2014 and 2015. He was also a three time Southern Conference’s player of the year (2013-15).

#13 Nick Bynkoski (CIS QB Internship from Acadia)DSC_0057

6’04” 220 lbs.

Bynkoski is the Riders 2016 CIS QB Internship program representative. With the Axemen in 2015, Bynkoski played in his first CIS action seeing playing time in four games backing up starter Cody Cluett.