If you can play, the NFL will find you.
It doesn't matter the path, experience, prestige, or any other qualifier you want to come up with. They will find you.
Let Quan'tez Stiggers serve as proof. The path to the NFL doesn't often run through Walmart parking lots, Fan Controlled Football leagues, and Canada. He took the road less traveled and still managed to end up at the same destination.
Stiggers' story is one of perseverance, determination, and plenty of hard work. Here's how the CFL star has made his NFL dream a real possibility despite everything telling him to give up.
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Who is Qwan'tez Stiggers?
The story begins at B.E.S.T. Academy, an all-boys STEM school in Atlanta. Stiggers was set to depart high school and head to Lane College, a Division II HBCU in Jackson, Tenn. Like many people across the globe, Stiggers saw his life put on hold thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
His freshman season was canceled, and Stiggers later lost his father. Devastated, Stiggers nearly gave up on his football dream as a result.
The 2023 CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie dropped out of school to be with his family and found himself in a state of depression.
Stiggers showcased his resourcefulness by working at Walmart, washing cars at the airport, selling cars, delivering for DoorDash, changing oil and brakes, and more, according to USA Today.
Stiggers couldn't live like that forever, and his mother knew it. She found the Fan Controlled Football league and signed her son up for a tryout. After starring in the FCF, his coach and former Toronto Argonauts offensive coordinator Josh Jenkins suggested that Stiggers give the CFL a try.
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Toronto was impressed with the workout, giving him a chance to play for the team. Stiggers earned a starting cornerback role right away and would go on to start 16 games, recording 53 tackles and five interceptions, becoming the first defensive back to earn the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie award in 25 years.
Thanks to his agent, Frederick Lyles of NZone Sports, Stiggers was granted a spot to showcase his skills in the East-West Shrine Game. After a solid performance there, 29 teams showed up to his pro day back in Atlanta where it all started.
He posted a 4.45 second 40-yard dash, 1.52-second 10-yard split, 36.5 inch vertical jump, and 10-8 broad jump.
For Stiggers, his story is nearly complete. The cherry on top would be earning a place in the league that seemed nearly impossible just a few years ago.
Qwan'tez Stiggers stats
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | INTS |
| 2023 | Toronto Argonauts | 16 | 53 | 5 |
Qwan'tez Stiggers 40 time
Stiggers ran a 4.45 40 at his pro day this spring.
How is Qwan'tez Stiggers eligible for the NFL Draft?
While the commonly held belief is that a player needs to play in college to earn draft eligibility, the reality is that they only need to be three years removed from high school.
Since Stiggers was part of the Class of 2020, he is deemed eligible to enter the NFL Draft.
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How many CFL players have been drafted to the NFL without college experience?
Not only is it uncommon for an NFL draft pick to have no experience playing college football, but Stiggers would represent a first. He would become the first player to make the leap from CFL to NFL without playing any college football.
