GRAND FORKS — Nate DeMontagnac’s first football game growing up was watching the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL as a 3-year-old.
On Wednesday, DeMontagnac worked out during UND’s Pro Day at the Pollard Center in front of pro scouts as he inches closer to the possibility of a full-circle moment in football.
The latest CFL mock draft from Third Down Nation listed DeMontagnac as the No. 20 overall pick in April’s 2026 CFL draft.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things (from the CFL),” DeMontagnac said. “I’m not really in contact with the teams but I have an agent that handles that for me, so he’s done a great job in marketing me and showing the coaches what I’m made of.”
Former UND wide receiver Nate DeMontagnac measures a broad jump for NFL scouts on Wednesday afternoon at the Pollard Center.
Leighton Chamblee / UND Athletics
DeMontagnac will now attend the CFL combine next week in Edmonton.
“That’ll be another great opportunity to improve my draft stock,” DeMontagnac said.
Scouts from the Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions were in attendance at the Pollard.
UND players to participate included DeMontagnac, linebacker Malachi McNeal, safety Zach Lewis, running back Gaven Ziebarth, nickel Avery Scott, edge Kyjuan Vengrowsky, edge Myles Terry, long snapper David Neuberger and running back Xavier Leigh.
DeMontagnac was most pleased with his broad jump and 40-yard dash. DeMontagnac jumped 10-foot-2 after starting his training around 9-5. He also ran a 4.56 40-yard dash.
“That shows all the work I’ve been putting in throughout these last couple months,” DeMontagnac said.
DeMontagnac said he saw the latest CFL mock draft but is hoping to showcase a higher projection leading up to the draft.
“That’s definitely a chip on my shoulder,” DeMontagnac said. “I want to be the first receiver taken in that draft. So I’m coming out here and working and going to the combine next wek and showing them what I can do with hopes of trying to be the No. 1 receiver drafted, for sure.”
DeMontagnac’s former UND and prep school teammate Quincy Vaughn was selected 19th overall by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2025 CFL Draft.
Vaughn finished his first year in the CFL often as a short-yardage specialist quarterback, scoring six touchdowns.
“That’s my best friend … I was texting him my numbers in between drills today,” DeMontagnac said.
He’s also been a valuable resource regarding the process.
“He’s been a great tool for me,” DeMontagnac said. “I call him up with any questions regarding the CFL, the combine, the draft, training camp, what the regular season is like.”
DeMontagnac, a 6-foot-3 Ontario native, finished his senior season at UND with 38 catches for 462 yards and two touchdowns.
The CFL draft starts April 28 at 7 p.m.
Miller has covered sports at the Grand Forks Herald since 2004 and was the state sportswriter of the year in 2019 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2022 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2024 (NDAPSSA) and 2025 (NDAPSSA).
His primary beat is UND football but also reports on a variety of UND sports and local preps.
He can be reached at (701) 780-1121, tmiller@gfherald.com or on Twitter at @tommillergf.