In 2023, quarterback Jonathan Sénécal guided the Montreal Carabins to their second Vanier Cup victory. This marked a significant achievement for the team. (Photo credit: Peter McCabe/The Canadian Press)
Jonathan Sénécal, the star quarterback for the Montreal Carabins, stands on the brink of securing a second Vanier Cup while eyeing a potential move to the CFL. His football journey began at Collège Laval, where he would eagerly watch Gabriel Cousineau, then the Carabins' quarterback and now his offensive coordinator, review game tapes. Sénécal’s raw talent was evident even back then, impressing university receivers with his arm strength despite still being in secondary school.
Fast-forward nearly a decade, Sénécal has become a pivotal player for the Carabins. Last season, he led his team to victory in the Vanier Cup, earning the MVP title, winning the Hec Crighton Trophy for top university player, and being named U Sports' male athlete of the year. This weekend, he’ll lead Montreal against their fierce rival, the Laval Rouge et Or, in the RSEQ championship. The winner advances to the national semifinal, the Mitchell Bowl, continuing their quest for the prestigious Vanier Cup. Both teams are evenly matched, each holding a 7-1 record and splitting their regular-season encounters by a single point.
Sénécal understands the gravity of the moment. "Winning back-to-back Vanier Cups would set us apart as one of the greats," he shared. This season might be his last with Montreal, as the 25-year-old quarterback looks set to enter the CFL, where Canadian quarterbacks are rare but increasingly valued. However, Sénécal remains grounded, emphasizing that even a brief CFL career would fulfill a lifelong dream. "Football has given me so much since I was a kid. Even if it doesn’t work out, I’m grateful," he said.
His football journey began at age seven with touch football, where he gravitated to the quarterback position despite his shyness and reluctance to lead vocally. His coach, Cousineau, believes that while Sénécal has immense skill, his quiet demeanour might require adjustment at the professional level. “He’s never been a loud, motivating player. But when he does speak, everyone listens,” Cousineau noted. He added that Sénécal might need a few years as a backup to grow into a starting role in the CFL.
During the Montreal Alouettes' training camp, Sénécal witnessed how effective vocal leadership can be. He recalled a practice where QB Cody Fajardo’s pep talk turned the team's performance around. This lesson is one Sénécal might carry with him as he transitions into higher levels of play.
Sénécal’s dual-threat capability sets him apart; he’s as adept with his feet as with his arms. “Having someone who can run and throw forces defences to choose between guarding the deep field or the run,” Cousineau explained. In his past two seasons, Sénécal accumulated over 4,500 passing yards with 30 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions.
He models his game after Nathan Rourke, a standout Canadian quarterback who shone with the B.C. Lions before briefly trying the NFL. Like Rourke, Sénécal hopes to prove that Canadian quarterbacks can excel in the CFL. For now, his eyes are on the immediate challenge—winning the RSEQ championship and taking another step toward football history.
