Laval's Arnaud Desjardins to attend Blue Bombers camp with CFL internship program

Laval University Rouge et Or quarterback Arnaud Desjardins throws a ball against the Montreal University Carabins during first half RSEQ Dunsmore Cup university football action in Quebec City on Saturday, November 12, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

TORONTO -

Quarterback Arnaud Desjardins ended last season celebrating a Vanier Cup championship with the Laval Rouge et Or. He will start the '23 campaign at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' training camp.

Desjardins, of Montreal, will be one of nine participants in the CFL's quarterback internship program. The initiative, which began in 2010, gives quarterbacks playing in Canada the chance to further develop through attending a CFL team's training camp.

Arnaud, who led U Sports last season in touchdown passes (20) and completion percentage (73.0), will report to Winnipeg's rookie camp Wednesday. CFL training camps are slated to open Sunday.

Arnaud threw for 300 or more yards in a game six times last year and was second in Canadian university football passing yards (2,555 ). He was named a first-team All-Canadian and participated in the '23 CFL combine as an underclassman.

The other U Sports participants are; Eli Hetlinger of the University of Alberta (Edmonton Elks); Silas Fagnan of St. Francis Xavier (Calgary Stampeders); Noah Pelletier of the University of Regina (Saskatchewan Roughriders); Alex Vreeken of Queen's University (Hamilton Tiger-Cats); Wilfrid Laurier's Taylor Elgersma (Toronto Argonauts); Ben Maracle of the University of Ottawa (Ottawa Redblacks); and Jack Zergiotis of the University of British Columbia (Montreal Alouettes).

Te Jesse, of the CJFL's Westshore Rebels, will attend the B.C. Lions camp. Jessie's father, Tim, won a Super Bowl with Washington (1987) and two Grey Cups with Winnipeg (1988, '90).

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed five of the eight players they took in this year's CFL draft, including first-rounder Anthony Bennett.

Winnipeg took Bennett, a defensive lineman from the University of Regina, eighth overall Tuesday night.

Also signing with the CFL club were Bishop's defensive back Jake Kelly (second round, No. 15 overall), Concordia receiver Jeremy Murphy (third round, No. 26), Windsor defensive back Bret MacDougall (sixth round, No. 53) and Ottawa linebacker Max Charbonneau (eighth round, No. 71).

CFL rookie camps are scheduled to begin Wednesday, with training camps slated to open May 14.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2023.