Peterborough's Jared Wayne Signs With NFL's Houston Texans

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Peterborough’s Jared Wayne did not get his named called but his NFL dream is far from over as he signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Houston Texans on Saturday.

Jared Wayne is the son of former CFL linebacker Patrick Wayne. The latter spent nine years in the league mostly with the Ottawa Roughriders but also had stints with the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

It would have been the first person from Peterborough to be drafted to the NFL if his name was called.

Wayne played four seasons of his collegiate football career all with the Pittsburgh Panthers, totalling 13 touchdowns during that span.

He finished with career-highs of 60 receptions for 1,062 yards — his first 1,000-yard season — and five touchdowns; one short of last year’s total.

Locally, Wayne has played in the Kinsmen Minor Football League, Peterborough Wolverines and Adam Scott Lions.

In his final collegiate game, he helped the Panthers win the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Dec. 30 with five receptions for 50 yards for a 37-35 win over the UCLA Bruins. His performance earned him an invite to play in the Hula Bowl.

He had another year of eligibility with Pittsburgh but decided to enter the NFL draft according to his father and former CFL linebacker, Patrick Wayne.

“I’m very proud, the whole family is proud of how he’s grown on the field and as a person,” he said in a prior interview with PTBOCanada.

Wayne impressed NFL scouts with his speed, posting a 4.53 second 40-yard dash at the combine.

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Peterborough's Jared Wayne Declares Eligibility For 2023 NFL Draft

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Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver and Peterborough’s Jared Wayne has declared himself eligible for the 2023 NFL entry draft on an Instagram post made on Friday.

Jared Wayne is the son of former CFL linebacker Patrick Wayne. The latter spent nine years in the league mostly with the Ottawa Roughriders but also had stints with the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Wayne played four seasons of his collegiate football career all with Pittsburgh totalling 13 touchdowns during that span.

He had another year of eligibility with Pittsburgh but opted to go to the NFL as the best option for his future according to his father and former CFL linebacker, Patrick Wayne.

“We weighed the pros and cons and it’s better for him to go onto the next phase of his career,” he explained. “I’m very proud, the whole family is proud of how he’s grown on the field and as a person.”

He helped the Panthers win the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Dec. 30 with five receptions for 50 yards for a 37-35 win over the UCLA Bruins.

He finished with career-highs of 60 receptions for 1,062 yards — his first 1,000-yard season — and five touchdowns; one short of last year’s total.

The 2023 NFL Draft runs from April 27 - 29 and is held outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The first day covers first-round picks only with second-to-seventh round picks on the following days.

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