Golden Bears QB Hetlinger sets sights on 2026 CFL combine

For 84 of the top university athletes headed toward this year's Canadian Football League draft, it's all about the here and now.

There is no time like the present to impress coaches and personnel gathered at Commonwealth Stadium for this year's national combine.

And while Eli Hetlinger isn't exactly part of that group, the University of Alberta Golden Bears quarterback still wants to perform his best.

With Concordia's Olivier Roy the lone quarterback on the draft board this year, Hetlinger is one of three underclassman arms brought in to run on-field drills at the combine.

As such, his focus was always on the 2026 draft. Until now, that is.

“I just finished up my first year, so I was fortunate enough to get the invite here,” said the Harry Ainlay high school graduate, who completed 95 of 154 passes (61.7 per cent) for 1,396 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions in five games for the Bears his rookie season.

He's the youngest player on the field in Edmonton this week. And while the experience is invaluable, it's also a trial run for things to come.

“Crazy enough, I'm treating this in my mind like it is 2026 right now, going in as if it's my year to do it,” Hetlinger said. “Seize the opportunity.

“When I had the opportunity, I said yes and jumped at it faster than I could.”

After all, he has nothing to lose and everything to gain being surrounded by those looking to make the jump to the pros.

There was a time not so long ago when Canadian quarterbacks had to switch positions in the combine to have a shot at being drafted. But with fresh trails being blazed by U Sports alumni such as the Edmonton Elks' Tre Ford and Michael O'Connor, most recently of the B.C. Lions, a new day is dawning.

“Those are two guys who have really pushed that envelope in the CFL right now,” Hetlinger said. “Two guys that I look up to a lot. I had the fortune of hanging out with Tre here a little bit over the off-season and he's shown me a couple things in terms of my feet that I could quicken up.

“It's been a blessing watching those guys and how they're pushing the envelope here in the CFL and giving opportunities for guys here after them.”

And then there's Nathan Rourke, the Canadian-born, NCAA-bred phenom who posted explosive numbers in his first season as a starter before parlaying his astronomical statistics into an NFL opportunity.

“Nathan Rourke's an awesome guy, just looking at him mechanically and how he was able to have such a high completion percentage,” Hetlinger said. “I was also fortunate enough to work with his QB coach, Rob Williams, and I could definitely see how those teachings and how he's implemented them and the success he's had has been awesome, and another huge roll model to see.”

What Hetlinger's earned so far has come from his own perseverance and determination. He spent the COVID-19 interruption rebuilding his throwing motion to bring it up to the same level as his football IQ and leadership qualities that intrigued Golden Bears head coach Chris Morris in the first place.

“I came in in 2020, it was tough. My (rookie) year was the COVID year, so that was the season where everything shut down,” Hetlinger said. “In 2021, we had (Bears quarterback) Brad Launhardt in his last season. I look at it as a blessing because he mentored me so much in how I was able to adjust smoothly this year, and that's a huge product of him and how he mentored me.”

The only other time Hetlinger played another position was when he first broke into the sport at age eight.

“Funny enough, they put me at defensive end. I finished 10 games with half a tackle, and that's only because my linebacker pushed me into the guy,” he said. “The next season, I had a lot more success (at quarterback). We were able to win provincials that year. Since then, it just kind of stuck and I'm happy.”

Hetlinger is seeing another upward trend working in his favour, as the past few years have seen a budding Golden Bears program crank out more players who get taken in the draft.

Hetlinger has three Bears teammates at this combine who are up for May's draft in receiver Jonathan Rosery, defensive back Jake Taylor and defensive lineman Kwadwo Boahen.

“Chris Morris has done an amazing job with all of us and getting us coaches,” Hetlinger said. “Rick Walters on the offensive side of the ball for some skilled positions, and then coach A.J. Gass on the defensive side who has definitely helped expand the amount of defensive players and positions we've put out.

“It's exciting to be a part of, to say the least.”