Prospect Profile: Second time’s the charm for Archelaus Jack
TORONTO — Archelaus Jack is looking forward to the challenge of playing professional football. Again.
The 2018 CFL Draft prospect has one of the most intriguing back stories of his class, coming to the league with past pro experience in his back pocket.
Jack was on the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ practice roster for a time in 2016, giving him a taste of the pros for the first time.
“The moment I started to realize that professional football was an option was when I got to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, on the practice roster,” said Jack. “I think if the opportunity presents itself again I will be ready this time.”
You may remember the Saint Mary’s pass-catcher for his role in last year’s infamous Loney Bowl controversy. Players listed on a CFL practice roster must wait 365 days before playing for a university team, and Jack’s eligibility was called into question days before taking on the Acadia Axemen.
After a short delay, a tribunal reached the decision that the game would be played. Jack played while his Huskies fell to the Acadia Axemen, 45-38 in overtime.
It was a strange ending to an otherwise successful season for Jack, who had 48 catches for 731 yards and five touchdowns in his lone season with Saint Mary’s.
“It’s going to be very emotional. I might hold my tears but knowing all your hard work pays off and whatever you want to be, you can achieve if you put the hard work and dedication in.”
Archelaus Jack on the thought of getting drafted
Jack didn’t feel like he did anything wrong, and the events that unfolded will continue to motivate the Toronto native. But in the end, nothing compares to the drive to support his family.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver, who compares himself to Argos receiver S.J. Green — “He makes plays at the end of the day and that’s what I feel I can bring to any CFL team that drafts me” — says his young son motivates him every day.
“The high point of my career right now would be having my son,” said Jack. “It just gives me the motivation to kick it into another notch because I know I have somebody to look out for, somebody to pave the path for in the future.”
For Jack, who first started playing football at the age of seven, getting drafted would be a life-changing moment.
“It’s going to be very emotional. I might hold my tears but knowing all your hard work pays off and whatever you want to be, you can achieve if you put the hard work and dedication in.”
The 2018 CFL Draft will take place on May 3 at 8 p.m. ET.
