Drew Willy

Drew Willy

refer to caption

Willy during his tenure at Buffalo
No. 2 Toronto Argonauts
Position: Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1986-11-13) November 13, 1986
Place of birth: Randolph, New Jersey
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight: 217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Randolph (NJ)
College: Buffalo
Undrafted: 2009
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career CFL statistics
Passing yards: 6,385
TD–INT: 31–24
Passer rating: 91.3

Drew Willy (born November 13, 1986) is a professional gridiron football quarterback for the Toronto Argonauts 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 and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

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

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. 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.[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, and started four, passing for 1,182 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Willy leaves the field after a close game at McMahon Stadium in Calgary on July 18, 2015.

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]

CFL statistics

  Passing   Rushing
Year Team Games Started Att Comp Pct Yards TD Int Rating Att Yards Avg Long TD Fumb
2012 SSK 18 2 95 69 72.6 709 5 4 93.7 33 115 3.5 18 4 1
2013 SSK 18 2 52 32 61.5 473 4 1 108.9 18 22 1.2 3 0 1
2014 WPG 17 17 478 305 63.8 3,769 14 16 83.9 36 224 6.2 18 2 5
2015 WPG 7 7 156 107 68.6 1,434 8 3 106.6 19 161 8.5 30 0 1
CFL totals 60 28 781 513 65.7 6,385 31 24 91.31 106 522 4.9 18 6 8

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 at UB Athletics
  3. ↑ Drew Willy at NFL Draft Scout
  4. ↑ http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=40337
  5. ↑ Florio, Mike (August 15, 2009). "Cleo gets a chance in Baltimore". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  6. ↑ http://www.indystar.com/article/20091209/SPORTS03/912090387/1100/Colts-put-Sorgi-on-IR-sign-tackle
  7. ↑ Locos 24, Colonials 21 Game summary
  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 September 13, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  10. ↑ Riders sign QBs Brennan and Willy
  11. ↑ http://cfl.ca/article/rookie-pivot-holds-his-own-in-durants-absence
  12. ↑ http://cfl.ca/article/riders-ticats-week5-recap
  13. ↑ Getting their man: Bombers acquire QB Willy from Riders
  14. ↑ "Drew Willy, Blue Bombers QB, out 6-8 weeks with right knee injury". 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". thestar.com. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
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