Eric Barriere
It has become a quarterback factory for Canadian Football League teams in recent years, churning out names like Bo Levi Mitchell, Vernon Adams Jr. and Matt Nichols.
It should hardly be shocking, then, that a CFL squad would attempt to mine the roster of the Eastern Washington Eagles for more talent at the position, given the school’s pivot pedigree. That squad is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and the quarterback prospect they’ve added to their negotiation list – meaning they hold his CFL rights – is Eric Barriere.
We bring this up as the lead-in to our 2nd Ultimate Bombers Fans Guide to Bowl Games, what with the NCAA championship season upon us and three-down faithful eyeing talent that one day might be wearing a CFL uniform.
And before you scoff at the supposed long-shot component at play here, consider that one of the names we trotted out in our inaugural guide a year ago not only made the Bombers roster, but ended up playing a key role in the team’s success this past season.
Yes, Chris Streveler made an astonishing progression in over a year, going from leading the University of South Dakota Coyotes in 2017 to taking the first snap from centre in the Bombers opener last June with Nichols on the shelf.
There are 40 Division-1 bowl games scheduled over the next few weeks leading up to the CFP National Championship on January 7th. That schedule doesn’t include the 24 schools who are participating in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), which includes Barriere and his EWU Eagles, who are now in the title game after crushing the Maine Black Bears 50-19 in the FCS Semi-final. Barriere, FYI, threw for seven TDs in the win and will now go up against North Dakota State in the FCS Championship on January 5th.
Barriere, FYI, is a dual-threat QB who assumed the controls of the EWU offence when All-American senior Gage Gubrud underwent season-ending foot surgery in October. And all he’s done since taking over is lead the Eagles on a six-game winning streak that includes victories over Nicholls State and Cal-Davis in the first two rounds of the FCS Playoffs.
The other QB on the Bombers neg list fans should keep an eye on during bowl season is Baylor’s Charlie Brewer, who will be leading the Bears against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the Texas Bowl on December 27th.
The Bears were just 1-11 last season, but were 6-6 this season with Brewer having a major role in the turnaround. A sophomore, Brewer won the starting job and comes from a family of quarterbacks: his father, grandfather and uncle all played the position for the Texas Longhorns.
FYI, the Bombers had four quarterbacks on their negotiation list involved in bowl games a year ago, and still hold the rights to two of them – Alex McGough and Quintin Flowers – even though they have turned pro and are now in the NFL.
Here’s a snapshot look at the two Bombers QB prospects playing in bowl games or FCS playoffs (in order of bowl game appearance) and an updated look at McGough and Flowers:
ERIC BARRIERE
College: Eastern Washington Eagles
Featured in: FCS Championship Final vs North Dakota State; Saturday, January 5th
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Inglewood, CA.
His 2018 numbers: Completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,900 yards and 17 TDs against six interceptions in 11 games, eight of them starts. Added another 689 yards and seven TDs along the ground. In the national semi-final win over Maine Barriere completed 21 of 30 passes for 352 yards and seven TDs, while also rushing for 53 yards.
Additional reading on Barriere
CHARLIE BREWER
College: Baylor Bears
Featured in: Texas Bowl, vs Vanderbilt Commodores; Thursday, December 27th, ESPN
Height: 6-1
Weight: 202
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Austin, TX
His 2018 numbers: Completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 2,635 yards with 17 TDs against eight interceptions. Rushed for another 266 yards and six touchdowns.
Additional reading on Brewer
OTHER QBS ON THE BOMBERS NEG LIST
BRANDON DOUGHTY
Currently: Free agent
College: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Age: 27
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220
Hometown: Davie, Florida
The 4-1-1 on Doughty: Doughty was the Hilltoppers starter from 2013-15 before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent parts of 2016-17 on the Dolphins practice squad before being released last April and signed by the Arizona Cardinals the next day. Doughty was then cut by the Cards in May. He was twice named Conference-USA’s MVP, a Second-Team All C-USA all-star in 2015 and First-Team All C-USA in 2015. He was also honoured as the winner of the Sammy Baugh Trophy in 2014 as the top collegiate passer.
Additional reading on Doughty | Doughty’s 2016 draft profile, from NFL.com
ALEX McGOUGH
Currently: Seattle Seahawks practice squad
College: Florida International Panthers
Height: 6-3
Weight: 214
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
FYI: Selected by the Seahawks in the 7th round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Broke FIU records in 2017 for completion percentage, passing yards and passer efficiency and was named to the Conference-USA Honourable Mention All-Star Team in 2017. McGough was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2014.
Additional reading on McGough | McGough’s NFL scouting rating, courtesy nfldraftscout.com
QUINTON FLOWERS
Currently: Cincinnati Bengals practice squad (as a running back)
College: South Florida Bulls
Age: 24
Height: 5-10
Weight: 211
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
FYI: Switched from quarterback to running back after being signed as free agent after the 2018 draft. Flowers was named to the American Athletic Conference Second All-Star Team in 2017 and was a finalist for the Maxwell Award (best all-round player in the country), the Davey O’Brien Award (top QB in all NCAA), the Manning Award (top QB, as voted on by Sugar Bowl Committee) and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top fourth-year QB). His 2016 honours include College Football Performance Awards Performer of the Year, American Conference Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, Birmingham Bowl MVP, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Semifinalist, Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award Finalist. He was the USF Team MVP in 2015 and 2016 and is USF’s all-time rushing touchdown leader.
Additional reading on Flowers | Flowers NFL scouting rating, courtesy nfldraftscout.com (rated as a RB)
BRYAN SCHOR
Currently: Free agent
College: James Madison Dukes
Age: N/A
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215
Hometown: Milford, Pa.
FYI: Was undrafted in 2018, attending Chicago Bears mini camp but was not signed. Second-Team All-Colonial Athletic Association All Star in 2017 and a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. A FCS Second Team All-American in 2016 and the CAA Offensive Player of the Year. Holds four JMU career records for passing touchdowns, completions, passing yards and total offence.
Additional reading on Schor | Schor’s NFL scouting rating, courtesy nfldraftscout.com
