Qwan'tez Stiggers: Being NFL Draftee Without CFB Reps Wouldn't be a 'Fairy Tale'

NFL Draft hopeful Qwan'tez Stiggers hasn't had the most traditional path, but that doesn't mean he isn't capable of making some noise.

The reigning CFL Rookie of the Year is set to enter the NFL Draft and will potentially be one of a select few players drafted into the NFL without playing a game at the NCAA level. He will have a chance to show what he can do at this year's East-West Shrine Bowl and believes that he will be ready to turn some heads.

"My goal in the East-West Shrine game is to put it all out there and show how my life is not just a good story," Stiggers said, per Branson Wright of Andscape.com. "There's a lot behind it. I can really play football, and this isn't just a fairy tale."

Stiggers was originally set to play college football at Lane College, a Division II HBCU in Jackson, Tennessee. However, his freshman season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he dropped out after his father died during his freshman year.

He worked several odd jobs before getting an opportunity in Fan Controlled Football and would eventually end up in the CFL for the 2023 season. He impressed there and now could have an opportunity to suit up in the NFL.

He said that being drafted would finish a childhood dream and also blaze the trail for others who go down less traditional paths.

"My goal is to get drafted," Stiggers said, per Wright. "There's nothing like hearing your name on draft day. Just to hear someone say 'such and such has drafted Qwan'tez Stiggers' will mean so much. I can make history."

A strong performance in the Shrine Bowl will be the first step toward reaching that dream.

The 2024 Shrine Bowl will kick off on Feb. 1 in Frisco, Texas.