Graham Harrell Signs with Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL

Following Graham Harrell's senior season in Texas Tech, it was thought that Harrell would be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Harrell had 89 touchdowns in his first three seasons with Texas Tech but would excel in his final season with the Red Raiders. Harrell led his team to a Big 12 South title and finished in fourth place in the Heisman Trophy, college football's highest honor. Harrell finished his college career with 134 passing touchdowns, an NCAA all-time record. The duo of Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree was perhaps the best in all of college football.

Entering the 2009 NFL Draft, Harrell was thought to be a lock, expected to go in the second day of the draft, probably in the fifth or sixth round, but was never selected in the seven rounds and 256 total picks. This came as a shock to many, as most of Harrell's fellow quarterbacks, went in the first or second round. Harrell was thought to be the fifth or sixth best quarterback in the 2009 Draft. Harrell's teammate Michael Crabtree was selected in the first round with the tenth overall pick. The draft was the beginning of Graham Harrell's downward spiral.

After going unselected in the draft, Harrell auditioned for a few NFL teams, most notably, having a workout with the Cleveland Browns, in their rookie training camp, but it did not result in a contract offer. Many NFL teams passed up on the chance to get Graham because they thought that Harrell did not have the arm strength to do well over a period of time. After the fallout with the Browns, Harrell was thought to be working out for the United Football League soon, a new league that plans to start its inaugural season in October 2009.

But Harrell never worked out for the UFL, electing instead to go to the CFL. Harrell made the unprecedented move to sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, as an undrafted free agent. The move seems even crazier when the Roughriders already have three quarterbacks on their roster, led by former North Carolina QB Darian Durant. The Roughriders are already two games into their 2009 season. Harrell is expected to become a starting quarterback right away. This is probably the best move Harrell could of made, as he gets to play professionally right away and prove how good he really is.

Here's hoping that Graham Harrell can turn it around and make a name for himself in the Canadian Football League, leading to a contract in the NFL!