2015 NFL Draft Preview: 3 Canadians in the mix (VIDEO)

Tonight in Chicago, the 2015 NFL Draft will begin. After months of training, testing and competing, many prospects will see their gridiron dreams become a reality when they hear their name called by an NFL team.

This weekend, a few Canadians are in the mix to be drafted.  Predictions are that three Canadians could go in the later rounds.

Canadians @ccovingtondt @TyVarga & @Air_Canada_7 all expected to be selected in #NFLDraft. http://t.co/DZn7tZrqvP pic.twitter.com/W08wPd2wDT

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) April 29, 2015

The following are the possible named that will be called this weekend in the 2015 NFL Draft:

CHRISTIAN COVINGTON:

The 6’3, 300 pound defensive tackle from Vancouver, British Columbia declared for the 2015 NFL Draft back in January.

Recently, Covington was a junior on NCAA Division 1 team, Rice Owls. However, the 2014 campaign with the Owls was a difficult one as he was sidelined for the last five games of the season as he sustained a knee injury.

While the defensive tackle underwent successful surgery on November 11^th.

During his time with the Owls, Covington registered 122 tackles (78 solo and 44 assisted) as well as 13 sacks and 28 tackles for a loss.

He has been recognized for his play on the field as he was selected as a first team All-Conference USA and also made the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honour Roll in 2013.  Additionally, he was named to the USA Today’s All-Bowl team during the 2012 season.

Previous to the Owls, Convington suited up for his high school team, Vancouver College Fighting Irish of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA). He guided the Fighting Irish to an ‘AAA’ Championship Title and was recognized for his efforts on the field as he was named 2010 BC ‘AAA’ Provincial Defensive Player of the Year and 2010 BC ‘AAA’ Western Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

This month, Covington vaulted to the number 1 spot in the CFL’s Scouting Bureau’s final rankings prior to the 2015 Draft scheduled next month.

While he was unable to participate in the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, experts are predicting that Covington will go in the third round.

TYLER VARGA:

Recently,Tyler Varga experienced a roller coaster ride during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine.  Due to a minor bone spur, the 5’11, 224 pound running back from Kitchener, Ontario saw limited action as he was regulated to bench events.  Varga was unable to complete in any jumping and running drills. In the bench press, the running back had 23 completions at 225 pounds.  That result was ranked eighth among all participants.

This past January, Varga tallied two majors to power the North squad to a 34-13 victory over the South squad at the 2015 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

For the Ontario native, the performance at the Senior Bowl came on the heels of what has been a dream season.  Last month, Varga was selected as the recipient of the Bushnell Cup, given the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year.

This past season, Varga been selected as a First –Team All-Ivy League for the third time in his career, Gold Helmet as the Top Senior in New England, Swede Nelson Award (top scholar athlete) and National Football Foundation (NFF) Scholar Athlete Award.

In the 2014 season, the tailback rushed for 1,423 yards (an average of 6.1 yards per carry, 142 yards per game) in 10 games.  He also set a team record with 26 touchdowns (22 rushing, four receiving).

During his career with the Bulldogs, Varga has amassed 2,985 rushing yards on 529 carries and 31 rushing touchdowns. The Ontario native has reached the 200 rushing yard plateau on three occasions and the 100 yard mark more than 17 times.

He was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award as NCAA FBS Offensive Player of the Year as well as the William Campbell Trophy which is awarded to the player who best exemplifies community service, academic and football.

Previous to the Bulldogs, Varga has suited up north of the border for the Western Mustangs where he was CIS Rookie of the Year in 2011.  He played high school football for Cameron Heights Golden Gaels of the Waterloo County Secondary School Athletic Association (WCSSAA).

This month, Varga ranked fourth in the CFL’s Scouting Bureau’s final rankings prior to the 2015 Draft which will be held in May.

Experts are predicting Varga to do in either the fifth or sixth round.

BRANDON BRIDGE:

At the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, Brandon Bridge also completed all of his testing – 4.72 second 40 yard dash, 33 inch vertical jump, 110 inch broad jump, 7.18 second 3 cone-drill and 4.37 second 20 yard shuttle.

The 6’5, 235 pound quarterback from Mississauga, Ontario was recently with the NCAA Division 1 team South Alabama Jaguars.

The pivot played two seasons with Alcorn State Braves (2010-11).  As a freshman, he amassed 2,687 total offense yards as he guided the Braves to a 5-6 record.  Bridge completed 150 passes in 291 attempts for 2,086 yards and 19 passing touchdowns.  Additionally he rushed for 601 yards on 120 carries and had eight rushing touchdowns.

Previous to the Jaguars, Bridge suited up for St. Marcellinus Spirit of the Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association (ROPSSAA).

This month, Bridge became the first quarterback to make the 2015 CFL Scouting Bureau final rankings. He was ranked 19th.

Experts are predicting that Bridge will go in the later rounds, possibly in the seventh round.