DAVIS, Calif. -- UC Davis' record-setting quarterback Jake Maier signed a one-year, free-agent contract with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, the organization announced Tuesday.
Maier, who transferred from Long Beach City College after a year at Sacred Heart University, amassed one of the finest statistical careers in UC Davis history from 2017 through 2019. He set school records for career passing yards (11,163), completions (992) and attempts (1,495); while his three-year sum of 88 touchdown passes ranks second in program history. In his junior season of 2018, Maier propelled the Aggies to their first Big Sky Conference team championship, earning himself the league's Offensive Player of the Year award.
The communication major from La Habra, California, also claimed HERO Sports All-America accolades in 2018, the team's 2019 Jerry Norris Award as the most valuable and inspirational player of the year, and a total of four Preseason All-America plaudits entering his senior year.
CFL training camps historically open in mid-May, with Week 1 of the preseason originally slated for a Mary 24 launch. However, the current COVID-19 pandemic has postponed the timeline into the summer at a time yet to be determined. Maier's agreement includes a one-year term with a one-year option in 2021.
"I'm really excited," said Maier, a three-time Walter Payton Award candidate and two-time All-Big Sky honoree. "Right now, it's a matter of showing the organization what I'm capable of, working really hard and fulfilling all of their expectations of me."
Maier's acquisition continues a history of Aggies playing professionally north of the border. UC Davis wide receiver Bakari Grant concluded an eight-year CFL career, mostly with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but also with Calgary during the Stampeders' Grey Cup season in 2018. Mel Byrd played five years as a defensive back and return specialist with the B.C. Lions from 1983-87, earning two CFL West All-Star nods. Defensive lineman Rick Mohr enjoyed a four-year career in the CFL, adding an All-CFL award and a Grey Cup title in 1983.
The most notable CFL career by a UC Davis alumnus belongs to Cal Aggie Athletics Hall of Famer Khari Jones, who played 11 seasons, earned CFL All-Star honors (2001), two division All-Star selections (2001, 2002), and the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award (2001). After his retirement as a player, Jones began a coaching career in 2009, helping Saskatchewan Roughriders to the 101st Grey Cup as an assistant. In 2019, the 1994 UC Davis graduate became the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes.
The 2020 UC Davis season is scheduled to start with a road game at Nevada on August 29, with the first home contest taking place a week later. Season tickets are now on sale through the UC Davis Ticket Office.
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