Breaking News: Riders add rugby convert to exclusive negotiation list
The Saskatchewan Roughriders may be considering diversifying their Canadian talent pool by exploring rugby players.
On February 12, Matthew Monaghan, a citizen of both Britain and Canada with no prior experience in organized football, was added to the team’s negotiation list, granting the Roughriders exclusive CFL rights to him. Despite never having played football, the 23-year-old is interested in transitioning to the sport after initially attempting to do so at the collegiate level.
Running some routes @BCollierPPI @PPIRecruits @Coach_ChrisCook pic.twitter.com/nyirzCMhIa
— Matthew Monaghan 🇨🇦🇬🇧 (@Matthew50895055) July 13, 2020
Hailing from London, England, Monaghan gained attention as a rugby standout at Wetherby Senior School. Former CFL player Brandon Collier and his organization PPI Recruits identified Monaghan’s potential due to his physical attributes and athleticism. Standing at six-foot-four and weighing 235 pounds, Monaghan boasted impressive strength and speed metrics, including benching 330 pounds, squatting 400 pounds, deadlifting 495 pounds, and clocking an estimated 4.7-second forty-yard dash.
Despite never donning football gear, Monaghan received an NCAA scholarship from the University of Akron in 2021, where he initially pursued football as a tight end. However, his first season was marred by foot injuries, preventing him from playing. Despite this setback, Monaghan remains committed to his football aspirations, as evidenced by recent videos showcasing his strength training efforts.
25reps 225lbs/102kg #gainz pic.twitter.com/0rBUXdEjv7
— Matthew Monaghan 🇨🇦🇬🇧 (@Matthew50895055) January 2, 2024
Monaghan, hailing from a prominent family in Quebec, is the grandson of Dr. Edmond Monaghan, a respected surgeon and professor at McGill University. While he expressed support for the Montreal Alouettes in interviews before his NCAA stint, he spent his formative years in Toronto before relocating to England at the age of 8.
Since Monaghan never took the field for Akron, he bypasses the CFL Draft process and can be signed as a free agent. By securing his negotiation list rights and recognizing his national status, the Roughriders have the opportunity to evaluate his potential without the risk of losing him to another team.
This isn’t the first time Saskatchewan has explored signing a rugby player, as they previously added Adam Zaruba, a flanker for Canada Sevens, to their negotiation list in 2017. However, Zaruba opted to join the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL instead of pursuing a CFL career.
Although Monaghan has less football experience than Zaruba, he presents a similar high-upside prospect. While the Roughriders aren’t obligated to sign him, they’ve made a significant statement by securing him as the only Canadian on a negotiation list across the league.
Saskatchewan’s 2024 regular season will kick off on June 8 with a game against the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium.