Tennessee defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo tops the list in the first installment of CFL Scouting Bureau rankings
The #CFL has revealed the first edition of the Scouting Bureau.
TOP 20: https://t.co/sxBoh3dmqf pic.twitter.com/Mh1yjZuFm7
— CFL (@CFL) August 30, 2018
TORONTO β The Canadian Football League (CFL) Scouting Bureau revealed on Thursday its first edition of the top 20 prospects eligible for the 2019 CFL Draft.
Tennessee defensive lineman and Surrey, B.C. native Jonathan Kongbo tops the list, highlighting the first of three rankings to be published between now and the 2019 CFL Draft.
Lavalβs Mathieu Betts, a defensive lineman from Montreal, and Connecticut receiver Hergy Mayala, also from Montreal, round out the top-three.
The CFLβs Scouting Bureau is comprised of CFL scouts, player personnel directors and general managers from the leagueβs nine teams. The next edition of the list comes in December, followed by the final list in April following the National Scouting Combine.
FALL SCOUTING BUREAU RANKINGS | ||||
Rank | Name | Position | School | Hometown |
1 | CFC100 Jonathan Kongbo | DL | Tennessee | Surrey, B.C. |
2 | CFC100 Mathieu Betts | DL | Laval | Montreal, QC |
3 | CFC100 Hergy Mayala | REC | Connecticut | Montreal, QC |
4 | Shane Richards | OL | Oklahoma St. | Calgary, AB |
5 | Justin McInnis | REC | Arkansas St. | Pierrefonds, QC |
6 | CFC100 Dejon Brissett | REC | Richmond | Mississauga, ON |
7 | CFC100 Brady Oliveira | RB | North Dakota | Winnipeg, MB |
8 | CFC100 Zach Wilkinson | OL | Northern Colorado | Vancouver, B.C |
9 | Alex Fontana | OL | Kansas | Toronto, ON |
10 | CFC100 Alexandre Savard | REC | Laval | Quebec, QC |
11 | CFC100 Maleek Irons | RB | Ohio | Chilliwack, B.C. |
12 | CFC100 Samuel Thomassin | OL | Laval | Quebec, QC |
13 | CFC100 Kurleigh Gittens Jr. | REC | Laurier | Ottawa, ON |
14 | CFC100 Kaion Julien Grant | REC | St. Francis Xavier | Toronto, ON |
15 | Robbie Smith | DL | Laurier | Brampton, ON |
16 | CFC100 Jamel Lyles | RB | Manitoba | Surrey, B.C. |
17 | CFC100 Jamie Harry | DB | Ottawa | Lachine, QC |
18 | Maurice Simba | OL | Concordia | Laval, QC |
19 | Fraser Sopik | LB | Western | Toronto, ON |
20 | CFC100 Michael OβConnor | QB | UBC | Orleans, ON |
TOP 5 PROSPECTS
Jonathan Kongbo | DL | Tennessee
In two seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers, Kongbo has appeared in 24 games, starting in 12. Through 24 games heβs amassed 40 tackles (15 solo, 25 assisted), 5.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Kongbo, a native of Surrey, B.C. also notched a interception versus Missouri that he returned 59 yards for a touchdown. Prior to going to the University of Tennessee Kongbo attended Wyoming as a freshman where he reshirted. Following that he went to Arizona Western College (JUCO) where he played a season and was rated the number one JUCO prospect.
Mathieu Betts | DL | Laval
Montreal native Mathieu Betts has appeared in 24 games over the course of three full seasons with the UniversitΓ© Laval Rouge et Or. Through these 24 games, heβs registered 73 tackles (42 solo, 31 assisted), including 31 tackles for a loss and 26.5 sacks. Heβs also registered four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and 14 pass breakups. His 12 sacks during the 2015 season set a new U SPORTS record for a rookie. Betts received multiple accolades over the last three years: he was named the RSEQ and the CIS rookie of the year in 2015, the RSEQ and the U SPORTS lineman of the year in 2016 (becoming the first player to ever capture both the Peter Gorman [rookie]Β and J.P. Metras [lineman]Β trophies over the course of their career), and the RSEQ and U SPORTS lineman of the year in 2017. He also was a RSEQ All-Star selection and a CIS/U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian selection in each of the last three years. The 6β3ββ, 250 lbs. defensive end has played one game so far this season with Laval, registering one defensive tackle and one pass breakup.
Hergy Mayala | REC | Connecticut
Through his three seasons with the Huskies Mayala appeared in 31 games, starting in 23. During his junior season he led the team with 43 receptions, 615 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. In his career he has 73 receptions and 991 receiving yards. The 6β2β receiver from Montreal has a collegiate average of 13.6 yards per reception through his three year.
Shane Richards | OL | Oklahoma State
Calgary native Shane Richards is entering his third season with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The 6β8β 336 pound guard is listed as the Cowboysβ starting right guard against Missouri in their opening game of the 2018 season. In his first season with the Cowboys Richards appeared in four games and was redshirted in 2017. Prior to joining Oklahoma State he played a season at New Mexico Military Institute (JUCO) after playing high school at Crescent Heights in Calgary.
Justin McInnis | REC | Arkansas State
In two seasons with Arkansas State McInnis has recorded 59 receptions for 883 yards and five touchdowns in his 25 games with the Red Wolves. Entering the 2018 campaign he has been named an Athlon preseason 1st team All-Sun Belt Conference and Lindyβs preseason 2nd team All-Sun Belt. Prior to attending Arkansas State, McInnis played at Dodge City (JUCO) in Kansas where in his only season he amassed 964 yards on 49 receptions and seven touchdowns. Last season he averaged a whopping 16.3 yards per reception.
BY THE NUMBERS
The rankings include: six receivers, five offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, three running backs and a quarterback, linebacker and defensive back.
SeventeenΒ schools are represented on the list, with Laval and Laurier having multiple prospects on the list.
Last yearβs fall rankings 17 saw of 20 prospects selected in the CFL Draft, with seven being selected in the first round.
ABOUT THE SCOUTING BUREAU
The CFL Scouting Bureau releases its rankings three times each year: in September, December and April.
The CFLβs Scouting Bureau is comprised of CFL scouts, player personnel directors and general managers from the leagueβs nine teams.
Source: CFL.ca
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