Matthew Shiltz, born December 7, 1992, has made a name for himself as a formidable quarterback in the Canadian Football League (CFL), currently signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. A significant journey that began at Butler University led him to this position. This profile will delve into his remarkable journey from the NCAA to the NFL, and his CFL performance in 2022.
Early Days at Butler University
A product of Butler University, Shiltz shone brightly during his stint as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. In 2014, he completed 106 of 171 pass attempts (62.0%), amounting to 1,324 yards, including 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. As a senior, he attempted 381 passes, successfully completing 218 (57.2%) for a total of 2,713 yards. His performance in the 2015 season was marked by 19 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and an impressive 639 yards with 10 touchdowns on foot.
The Undrafted Determination
Despite his remarkable performance in college football, Shiltz was not selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. This setback did not deter him; instead, he found employment with Ernst & Young in Indianapolis.
It was during this period that he received an invitation to the Montreal Alouettes’ mini-camp for the 2017 season, a turning point in his career. He signed his first professional contract with the Alouettes on April 4, 2017.
Debut and Progression in the CFL
Shiltz made his professional debut in the last game of the 2017 CFL season for the Montreal Alouettes. He completed seven out of 16 passes for 96 yards before being substituted in the third quarter. Before this match, Shiltz had made appearances in three games, stepping in for injured Montreal quarterbacks. His performance during these games saw him complete 28 of 45 passes for 289 yards, including a single touchdown.
In 2018, he played in just two games, completing 19 of 30 pass attempts for 194 yards, which included one touchdown and three interceptions. He started the 2019 season as the third quarterback behind Vernon Adams and Antonio Pipkin. During this season, Shiltz and the Alouettes agreed to a one-year contract extension.
CFL 2022 Performance
In 2022, Shiltz signed a one-year contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, with his salary reported at $125,000. He displayed promising performances, finishing the season with 85 completions out of 119 pass attempts for 935 yards, which included four touchdowns and two interceptions. Moreover, he ran the ball 28 times for a total of 152 yards and scored once.
However, a wrist injury in late August forced him to sit out for the next four-to-six weeks. Despite this setback, Shiltz managed to play in all but one of the regular-season games. Following his recovery, he agreed to a contract extension with the Tiger-Cats in 2023, starting as a backup quarterback to the newly acquired Bo Levi Mitchell. He stepped off the bench in Week 2, completing 13 out of 14 attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown.
With an NFL dream that didn’t pan out, Shiltz demonstrated resilience and determination. His journey thus far in the CFL is an inspiring testament to his perseverance. As he continues his career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Shiltz’s story will undoubtedly continue to unfold, providing a compelling narrative for football fans.
