Canadian QB Sinopoli drafted by Stamps

CFL.ca Staff

CALGARY -- 2010 Hec Crighton winner Brad Sinopoli has achieved a rare feat for Canadian QBs by being drafted into the CFL - as a quarterback. The Calgary Stampeders selected Sinopoli in the fourth round of the 2011 Canadian Draft with the 29th overall pick.

Sinopoli had a sensational 2010 season for the Gee-Gees. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound QB led the country with 2,756 passing yards, 22 touchdown passes and 184 completions in conference play, all school records. He was also the Gee-Gees’ leading rusher with 534 yards on only 42 carries for a CIS-leading average of 12.7 yards per carry.

Sinopoli's desire to constantly improve and learn makes him a coach's dream said his head coach in University Jean-Philippe Asselin.

"I’ve coached a lot of great players, but unlike any of them he’s very open to trying new things,” Asselin said. “He’s not stuck in the things that he does. He has a very open mind.”

And despite the uphill battle of trying to crack a roster as a quarterback, Sinopoli says he is proud of his Canadian roots and wouldn’t have done things any other way.

“You have to earn your spot. I’m extremely proud to be playing in Canada,” said Sinopoli. “If I could change my life and grow up in the United States I wouldn’t do that -- I love the Canadian game.”