Whichever NFL teams that selects cornerback Quan-Tez Stiggers in the upcoming NFL Draft will be making history. The Cincinnati Bengals are at least willing to test the waters.
Per KPRC2's Aaron Wilson, Stiggers is scheduled to visit the Bengals on Wednesday, which will be one of his several in-person meetings around the league recently.
What makes CB Qwan'Tez Stiggers so unique
Stiggers comes from the CFL and never played a down of college football. He's on track to becoming the first CFL player with zero collegiate experience to get drafted into the NFL, per The Athletic's Dane Brugler.
The Atlanta, GA native dropped out of Division II Lane College right before the 2020 season after tragedy struck his family. He spent two years out of football as a result.
It was already difficult for Stiggers to make the next level as a no-star high school recruit, so when he decided to get back into football, he had to take an unconventional route: the Fan Controlled Football League.
Stiggers' stellar play for the semi-pro league in 2022 earned him a tryout with the Toronto Argonauts, with whom he'd sign and play 16 games during 2023. 53 tackles and five interceptions later, he became a CFL All-Star and the recipient of the league's most outstanding rookie award.
Two years after being out of football entirely, Stiggers has a good chance of becoming a part of the NFL Draft. These are the scripts not even Hollywood can think of.
Should the Bengals draft Stiggers?
Stiggers' journey is special enough to simply get to know him more, which is the purpose of Cincinnati meeting with him later this week. Such a distinctive path to the NFL can best be described by the person who experienced it first-hand. The Bengals will learn all they need to know about Stiggers, and add it to their evaluation of him as a football player.
The 22-year old is physically built for the NFL as well, which should attract the Bengals. He ran a 4.45 40-yard dash after measuring just under 6-0 and 204 pounds.
A late-round addition at the cornerback position for Cincinnati is likely. Stiggers would fit the on-field mold for who they look for, but he'll have interest from several other clubs as well.
More must-reads: