‘Whoever drafts me, they’re going to get a winner’

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Bisons football quarterback Jackson Tachinski isn’t shy about the impact football has had on him. The sport has helped him develop as a human being, and provided countless opportunities.
 
He was sensational as an East-West Bowl participant last year [11 completions, game-high 152 yards, one touchdown, 37 rushing yards] and he’s also a product of the CFL’s quarterback internship program with Winnipeg.
 
Most recently, Tachinski – the school’s all-time leader in regular season rushing yards for a quarterback [1,305] – earned invites to the CFL Invitational and National Combines, with the end goal of getting his name called on draft day on April 29.
 
“I’m a quieter guy. I would be a leader, but I wouldn’t be the leader I am today without football,” he said during an interview with gobisons.ca last year.
 
“I think it’s grown me into the man I am today, especially the position of quarterback. It teaches you a lot of things about how people operate and how people like to communicate. You have to get out of your comfort zone a bit.”
 
Speaking of getting out of his comfort zone, that’s exactly what Tachinski did during both CFL combines. Not only did he take reps at quarterback, he also lined up as a receiver, showcasing his versatility, adaptability and commitment in doing whatever it takes to play pro football.
 
“I think it was in February, [legendary Bisons head coach Brian] Dobie called me into his office, and he told me I made the [invitational] combine. He told me that a few CFL teams wanted to see me at receiver. I went to the invitational, I did the hour of quarterback stuff and the hour of receiver stuff. I made a few plays during the receiver stuff. I felt good,” recalled Tachinski.
 
“The CFL teams saw me make a couple of plays and they invited me to the national combine. I did the whole national at receiver. It was a good time. I just wanted to show that I can do it, if teams do want to switch me. I have a lot of film out there as a quarterback, so showing that versatility was important.”
 
Tachinski’s no stranger to balancing multiple athletic demands. He was originally recruited to Manitoba as a rare dual sport athlete, committing to both the football and basketball programs.
 
His game-changing athleticism in the former has been clear from the jump.
 
This past year, Tachinski became the first Bison since 2002 and just the third overall to be named Canada West Player of the Year. He was second in efficiency in Canada West at 150.6, while setting career highs in passing yards (1662), passing touchdowns (11) and rushing yards (570), leading the Bisons to a 7-1 regular season record, and first place in the regular season (best result since 2007).

In his career as starting quarterback, he’s won 15 games, leading the Bisons to a home playoff game in two of his three seasons as QB1, while also helping execute the largest comeback in school history (26 points against Alberta) on October 19, 2024.

 

No moment has been too big for Tachinski, and that included taking reps at two different positions during the combine process. The 2024-25 Bisons Male Athlete of the Year did his prep, which included a call with 2010 Hec Crighton Trophy winner Brad Sinopoli.

 

A standout at quarterback for the Ottawa Gee-Gees, Sinopoli was converted to receiver at the CFL level in 2013. He went on to earn Most Outstanding Canadian honours twice and won two Grey Cups, including in 2016 where he was the game’s Most Valuable Canadian.

 

“The first thing he told me, was that maybe my confidence might be wavering. I’m surrounded by people who have been doing this their whole life, and I’m doing it for the first time. I’m going to feel out of my league at times, but at the same time, just knowing I’m a really good athlete,” Tachinski said.

 

“I got to the point I’m at as a quarterback for a reason. Quarterbacks know a lot about receiver. I probably know more about receiver than I don’t. It was good to hear that.”

 

Visualization was another critical element of the pair’s discussion, both mentally and physically.

 

“A large part of the process for me, is seeing myself making plays and doing all those things, as well as watching film and seeing how all the great receivers have done it, and trying to pick things up quick,” added the pivot.

 

“Quarterbacks, we touch the ball every single play. We catch a ball every single play, so our hands are good enough, and our IQ is going to be there. It’s really just going to be polishing the route running and the small techniques. He gave me a lot of tips on catching the ball in different positions, throwing the ball around the house to get reps visually, different tips like that.”

 

If Tachinski gets his name called on April 29, he’ll become just the fourth quarterback in school history to be taken in the CFL Draft, and first since 1985. From there, it’s up to the team that picks him to choose his position.

 

Whether he takes reps at receiver, or quarterback, or both, he’ll be ready to go.

 

“I’ve been playing sports my whole life. Being able to go through this whole process and have teams interested in me, interviewing with teams, being flown out to combines, everything about it has truly been a great experience and a blessing. Getting my name called on April 29 would be an honour. I would be so thankful. It would be a dream come true,” he said.

“Whoever drafts me, they’re going to get a winner. They’re going to get someone who works hard. I just want to play football.”