Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was chosen in the 2014 National Football League draft 200th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.
The two-time All-Canadian tackle from St. Hilaire, Que., was only the second offensive lineman in McGill University history to win the Forbes Trophy, which has been awarded annually since 1948 to the McGill male athlete of the year.
A co-captain with the McGill Redmen, he also captured the prestigious Metras trophy as the most outstanding lineman in CIS football in 2013 and followed that by being one of two CIS players picked to play in the 2014 East-West Shrine Game, a showcase primarily for graduating NCAA seniors.
He was rated as the top-ranked selection for the 2014 CFL Draft by the CFL Scouting Bureau in all three of their rankings released over the past year (Sept. 11/13, Jan. 14/14, Apr. 22/14) but declined an invitation to the CFL combines camp, opting to hold his own ‘pro day”, which was attended by scouts from nine NFL teams and four more from the CFL.
He is believed to be the first CIS player ever featured in Sports Illustrated (Mar. 24/14). A fourth-year student in his third year of medical school after a year of pre-med, he also posted some stellar numbers in the classroom, earning Academic All-American status, in addition to making the Principal’s Student-athlete Honour Roll and meriting CIS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian honours from Governor-General David Johnston in 2013.
At least 16 NFL teams have either expressed interest or requested info on him during the 2013-14 school year, including the NY Jets, Houston, Tennessee, Green Bay, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, Jacksonville, Arizona, Buffalo, Kansas City, Oakland, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Seattle. After his pro day, he travelled to the USA for personal interviews with the Packers, Dolphins, Eagles, Cardinals, Seahawks, Bills and the 49ers.
One of only two players selected to represent the CIS at the 89th East-West Shrine Game (Jan. 18; St. Petersburg, Fla.)… Started three of his six games at DL in freshman year at McGill… Since being converted from DL to OL in sophomore year, he started in 26 consecutive regular season games for McGill.
– FRESHMAN YEAR (2010): reported to training camp at 253 lbs. and played on defensive line (#92)… dressed for six of nine games with three starts.
– SOPHOMORE YEAR (2011): reported to training camp at 280 lbs. and was moved over to offensive line (#66)… dressed for all nine games with nine starts at OT… often played two-ways.
– JUNIOR YEAR (2012): reported to training camp at 305 lbs… dressed for all nine games with nine starts at OT… often played two-ways.
– SENIOR YEAR (2013): reported to training camp at 315 lbs… dressed for all eight games with eight starts at OT. After training for the East-West Shrine Game, he weighed in at 321 in January, then dropped down to 298 for his Pro Day in March.
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NATIONAL AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS:
– 2014: one of only two players selected to represent the CIS at the East-West Shrine Game (Jan. 18; St. Petersburg, Fla.)
– 2013: CFL Scouting Bureau’s top-rated prospect for 2014 CFL Draft (Fall, 2013, Winter, 2014, Sprin, 2014)
– 2013: CIS Most Outstanding Lineman (J.P. Metras Trophy)
– 2013: College Football America CIS Preseason All-Canada
– 2013: CIS East-West Bowl (May 11; London, Ont.)
– 2012 & 2013: (two-time) CIS All-Canadian
CONFERENCE AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS:
– 2013: RSEQ Football Most Outstanding Lineman
– 2013: RSEQ Football Citizenship & Scholarship Award (nominee for CIS Russ Jackson Trophy )
– 2012 & 2013: (two-time) RSEQ Football all-star
– 2013: Montreal Alouettes Athletics Excellence Bursary
McGILL AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS:
– 2013-14: McGill male athlete of the year (Stuart Forbes trophy)
– 2011 & 2013: (two-time) most outstanding lineman (Touchdown Club trophy)
– 2012: most outstanding offensive player (Dan Pronyk trophy)
– 2012: most valuable player (Students’ Society trophy)
– 2013-14: McGill male athlete of the week (Jan. 20, 2014)
ACADEMIC AWARDS / ACHIEVEMENTS:
– 2013: CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-America honours(College Division)
– 2013: CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District honours (College Division)
– 2013: CIS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian
– 2011-14: (4-time) CIS Academic All-Canadian
– 2011-14: (4-time) Principal’s Student-Athlete Honour Roll
– 2013: recipient of a Montreal Alouettes Academic Excellence Bursary
– 2013: recipient of a Montreal Alouettes Athletic Excellence Bursary
LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY SERVICE:
– served as football team’s co-captain (2012 & 2013)
– received McGill University’s 1938 Champions Award for combining leadership with athletic prowess and academic excellence
– named to McGill chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society for academic recognition, leadership development and community service
– conducted mini-football camps for Willingdon elementary school in Montreal’s NDG borough
– helped incoming freshmen moved into their dorm rooms on the McGill campus
– was a football team rep at a visit to the Montreal Shriners Hospital for Children (2013)
– was a football team rep at annual McGill Holiday Food Drive in support of the Sun Youth Community Centre (2012, 2013)
– worked in 2012 with the “Défi Canderel” (Canderel Challenge), an annual corporate charity event in Montreal that raises funds for cancer research
– volunteered in 2012 with a Montreal police department program known as “Unité sans violence, exprimez-vous!” (United Without Violence: Express yourself!), designed to keep troubled youths off the street and encourage them to play sports
– worked with heroin addicts at a methadone clinic (as part of his academic curriculum)
– made numerous visits to local high schools where he has lectured on the dangers of drug abuse and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
– served countless hours in family medicine at various hospitals, including the Montreal Jewish General and Brome Missiquoi-Perkins Hospital in Cowansville, and served a surgical rotation at St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal (as part of his curriculum)
– served as a tutor for McGill students
COMMENT FROM POSITION COACH (2011):
“I matched Laurent up against the opposition’s best defensive end every game and he did not give up a sack all year. He played on both sides – left and right tackle – and dominated. He always locked up with his defender until the whistle blew. He was incredible at blocking at the second level – the best and always got to the linebacker.” — Paul Lambert, offensive line coach, McGill Redmen
COMMENT FROM HEAD COACH & POSITION COACH (2013):
“Laurent has a tremendous work ethic and a quiet confidence that makes him a natural leader. Size and strength is a big factor in success on the o-line but when you find someone that possesses the combination of brains, brawn and nastiness that Laurent has on the field, then you’ve got a real keeper and he has all those tools. He’s the kind of guy other players hate. He’s mean out there. He looks to break their spirit and touch their soul. I believe that he will have a good pro career, whether it be in the CFL or NFL.”
— Clint Uttley, head coach & OL coach, McGill Redmen
PROFILE ON NFL.COM:
Rating:
5.48 / 10
Overview
Quebec native. Played as a defensive lineman in 2010, starting three of six games played. Converted to offensive tackle and started all 26 games from 2011-13. Two-time team captain bulked up approximately 65 pounds since his freshman season. Won the prestigious J.P. Metras Trophy as the most outstanding lineman in Canada (CIS). Also received the Forbes Trophy as McGill University?s male athlete of the year. Honored with McGill University’s 1938 Champions Award for combining leadership with athletic prowess and academic excellence. Has designs on being a doctor; maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA in the faculty of medicine, and the coaching staff reduced his practice commitments in order to accommodate his stringent academic workload. Is rated as the top prospect in the 2014 Canadian Football League draft, according to the CFL Scouting Bureau. Participated in the East-West Shrine Game.
Analysis
Strengths
Looks the part with outstanding upper-body strength and massive quads. Stout anchor in pass protection. Violent shock in his punch. Plays with a nasty temperament and seeks to bury defenders into the ground. Aggressive run blocker — runs his feet on contact and plays beyond the whistle. Is physically and mentally tough and will play through pain (fought through a torn left labrum injury as a senior and never took himself out of a game or missed time). Highly intelligent (in medical program) and football smart. Can take concepts from the board to the field.
Weaknesses
Raw technician. Lunges overagressively and loses positioning. Can learn to play under more control and take better angles. Average recovery speed vs. inside counters. Lets defenders into his body and does not replace his hands — slow to reload after initial strike (though he was playing through a shoulder injury). Will need to adjust to playing a yard off the ball (Canadian rules) and getting into blocks more quickly.
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
Bottom Line
Tough, gritty, smart battler who transformed from an impactful 250-pound three-technique as a freshman. Made a successful conversion to left tackle as a sophomore and has grown to be a dominating Canadian 315-pound left tackle expected to be the first pick of the CFL draft. Projects best inside in the pros and could prove to be the best product delivered from Canada’s developmental system since Israel Idonije. Will require refinement, but has the physical tools and temperament that cannot be taught.
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