LARAMIE – With the first pick in the 2025 CFL Draft …
 
There's a chance the Calgary Stampeders will be selecting a Wyoming Cowboy.
 
UW linebacker Connor Shay, who has dual American and Canadian citizenship, could be the first player off the board during the CFL Draft on Tuesday in Toronto.
 
"That would be awesome," Shay said of possibly being the No. 1 overall pick, which the TSN mock draft projects him to be. "That would be really cool."
 
Shay will have opportunities to realize his NFL dreams first.
 
The 6-foot-2, 232-pound Shay will participate in rookie mini camps with the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets over the next two weeks.
 
During UW's annual pro day in March, the Packers were among the 10 NFL teams in attendance. Shay recorded a 38.5-inch vertical, 10-foot, three-inch broad jump, 4.52-second 40-yard dash, 4.35-second shuttle, and 6.80-second three-cone drill.
 
"A lot of the CFL teams that I've interviewed with have said, obviously, the NFL is bigger platform, and we couldn't tell you to just come here and not take those opportunities," Shay said. "So, they understand all that. And a lot of the teams have told me, like, we would be happy to take you if it ended up not working out (in the NFL)."
 
Shay had to patiently develop behind some talented players, including current NFL linebackers Logan Wilson and Chad Muma, during his first two seasons at UW. During the 2023 campaign he started at weak-side linebacker and finished with 76 tackles (45 solo), 8.0 tackles for loss, three passes defended, two quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and one interception.
 
"I mean, obviously the whole time at Wyoming, I was just waiting on my opportunity, and I knew once I got my opportunity, I was going to make the most of it," Shay said. "I thought I pretty much did that last season."
 
Shay's father, Chuck, was born in Prince Edward Island, before moving to the United States, which is how he qualified to be a Canadian draft prospect.
 
"Oh, he's pumped," Shay said of his dad. "He's loving every in every minute of it and he's getting some shout outs, too, from the media, because he's the one who gave me the citizenship. He's very proud of me."
 
Whether he takes the road less traveled to making the NFL as an undrafted free agent or heads north of the Border as the No. 1 pick in CFL Draft, Shay's goal is to have a lengthy professional career.
 
"I want to keep playing until the wheels fall off," the 23-year-old said.
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes. 

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