Former Queen's QB Brannagan signs with Toronto Argonauts

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – When Argonauts head coach Jim Barker and his staff see something they like, they waste no time in getting it.

Immediately following the 2010 CFL Evaluation Camp in Toronto this weekend, the Boatmen set their sights on former Queen's quarterback Danny Brannagan of Burlington, Ont., and signed him through the 2012 season.

Commented Barker, "We are thrilled to welcome Danny to the Toronto Argonauts. Danny comes from the Pat Sheahan offensive system which is similar to what we do. Based on his success in this offence and his proven leadership, we used the opportunity presented at the CFL Evaluation Camp to see him in action to determine both on the field and in our interview if he possesses the specific skills we were looking for. We believe he does and he is a special individual who brings a lot to the table. He can make all the throws and he understands the Canadian game and how to read defences. We are excited to watch Danny compete with the other quarterbacks we have signed."

In 2009, Brannagan led the Queen's Gaels to their first Vanier Cup Championship since 1992, earning Vanier Cup MVP and Yates Cup MVP honours along the way. In a prolific 5 season career at Queen's, Brannagan passed former Argo Tommy Denison as the leading passer in Gaels history as he commanded a potent offence with a 62.14% completion rate in 2009 and led the nation in TD passes in 2008 with 24, earning him OUA First Team All-Star accolades.

Brannagan remarked, "I'm very excited about this opportunity. I'm fortunate to have had a successful university career and realize that not a lot of people get to compete at the next level. The Argos have a great and storied football program that I've followed growing up. I was lucky to meet several members of the coaching staff at the CFL Evaluation Camp and I was very impressed with them. I look forward to going out there and competing for a spot on the team."

"This is a rare opportunity that Danny has been presented with but one that he has definitely heard", commented Gaels Head Coach Pat Sheahan. "What the teams across the CFL saw at the evaluation camp re-affirmed what they have seen Danny do throughout his career at Queen's."

Danny Brannagan
Quarterback
6'0", 198 lbs.
Queen's
Born: July 4, 1986
Burlington, Ontario
1st Year Argos/1st Year CFL
Non-Import

Acquired: Signed as a free agent with Toronto on March 15, 2010.

College: Played for the Gaels from 2005-2009 as QB, becoming Queen's all-time leading passer... 2009 Vanier Cup MVP... 2009 Yates Cup MVP... 2009 OUA Second Team All-Star... 2008 OUA First Team All-Star... 2008 Second Team All-Canadian... 2005 OUA Rookie of the Year... 2009 Started in 7 games, throwing for 2580 yards, 15 TD and 7 INT (62.14%)... Led Queen's to 1st Vanier Cup victory since 1992, throwing for 286 yards and 3 TDs as Vanier Cup MVP... 2008 Started in 8 games, passing for 2407 yards, 24 TDs and 10 INT (56.47%) as he was named a CIS All-Canadian (second team) and led the nation in touchdown passes... ranked third in Canada in passing yards... 2007 Started 8 games for 2123 yards, 15 TD and 6 INT (51.61%) finishing the year third in the conference in passing yards...his touchdowns to interception ratio was third best in the OUA... He played for the East in the East/West Bowl in Hamilton... 2006 Started 8 games for 1744 passing yards, 11 TD and 11 INT (48.8%) finishing the season as the third ranked pivot in the conference in passing yards and was ranked in the top ten in the country at his position last season throwing 11 touchdowns... 2005 Played in 8 games, passing for 1860 yards, 12 TD and 10 INT (55.02%) as OUA Rookie of the Year... Dressed for eight games, starting the final seven... Against Laurier, in his first CIS game, Danny came off the bench in the fourth quarter, completing 10 of 16 attempts for 110 yards... He earned the starting job the following week against York, passing for 341 yards.

Personal: Danny was born in Ottawa, Ontario and is a native of Burlington, Ontario where he attended Assumption Secondary School. The Bachelor of Commerce graduate was an accounting major in college. Danny comes from an athletic family. His father Dan played football and was a wrestler at Windsor, his mom Leslie was a swimmer at Waterloo and his older sister Brie, who is currently in second year at Queen's Law School, was a swimmer at McGill. In his spare time, Danny enjoys training, hanging out with his friends, and playing cards and video games.

Source:

Queen's Gaels

- with files from the Toronto Argonauts