Tyrell Pigrome might be a rookie by professional football standards but he might be one of the most experienced CFL rookies in recent memory. Playing in 56 games over seven seasons he started for three different programs during that time. Pigrome is your ideal short yardage option at the CFL level.
He doesn’t have ideal size for a passer at 5’9 200 pounds, and is built more like a running back. During his career he was early on used as a runner nearly as much as he was a passer. In fact his first three seasons at Maryland saw him end the year with less than ten attempts separating his passing and rushing numbers. It wasn’t until his fourth season at Maryland that he was trusted to be more than essentially a wildcat quarterback.
Finally in year four with Maryland after playing 23 games over three seasons he would get his chance to start three games at quarterback playing in 11 games total. This would mark the first time Pigrome attempted more than 71 passes. To this point he had been a sub 60% passer even as a backup, and there was reluctance to turn to him full-time due to this. He would come in and attempt 118 passes but display some questionable decisions which led to 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
After appearing in 34 games in four seasons for Maryland Pigrome had collected 268 attempts, 152 completions, for 1,777 yards 9 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, with 176 rushing attempts for 630 yards and 8 touchdowns. Having received a medical redshirt after missing all but one game in 2017, he decided to exhaust his eligibility at Western Kentucky during the 2020 season. This amounted to his first chance as a full time starter, and he would reward the program with a career year.
Attempting what still stands as a career high 297 passes, Pigrome was throwing more often than he ever had before completing 57.6% of his passes the second highest rate of his career. (not counting 2017 when he played just one game) He threw for 1,603 yards 9 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. This season displayed he could protect the ball while still being a plus athlete for WKU adding 105 carries for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns.
In 2021 he moved on to his third school in as many seasons. This time joining Ole Miss for the 2021 season. Pigrome would never appear in a game for the school, and retain his final year of eligibility granted for COVID. This left him one more chance to transfer and transfer he did. This time to Towson his last stop in college.
Again he was al
lowed to operate as the starter for Towson and again he put up similar numbers to what he had produced in 2020. Attempting 274 passes, completing 155 for 1,638 yards, 14 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, adding career highs in carries, and yards, with: 134 for 574 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also led his team to a 6-5 record on the year under head coach Rob Ambrose in his final season with the team.Pigrome was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers earlier this year playing in three games. He ultimately was let go when Winnipeg brought back it’s former short yardage specialist Dakota Prukop who had a cup of coffee in the USFL with the New Jersey Generals. Pigrome as stated above is truly not much more than a short yardage option for Ottawa, his passing statistics in college do not inspire confidence that he can take over the reigns as the starter for the Redblacks unless absolutely necessary, in terms of starting options on the roster he is the clear cut #4. However in the CFL, where short yardage quarterbacks are used as specialists, Pigrome could find a long term role despite turning 26 years old in October of his rookie season.
Final Thoughts on these two Quarterbacks
Given his mobility and ability to fill the short yardage role taking some hits away from Dustin Crum, I would expect we see him as the third quarterback active on game day every week, with Arbuckle the QB2. This would leave Dunniway on the practice squad.
Situation could
change extremely fast given the fact that we all know the Ottawa Redblacks have already spoken with veteran Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson. If anything these moves are to solidify the position in the meantime until Ottawa can get their veteran of choice in the building. With MBT awaiting an NFL contract, Ottawa could be left in the wind for as many as three more weeks.The biggest question at that point would be if Ottawa is even still in playoff contention, and if bringing in a veteran quarterback even makes sense. If the season is lost by that point the team would be arguably better off simply letting their younger quarterbacks finish out the season to see what they have at the position long term. Depending on how these next three to four games fall in the CFL, Ottawa could be looking at another tough season making it three straight.
Continue the CFL Football discussions on our offical CFL Discord Channel
