Prospect Analysis: A look at the defence

In recent years the annual CFL Draft has taken on a whole new meaning. Not only is it a highlight of the football schedule and the ultimate job performance review for the League’s scouting departments, it’s a high point for CFL fans too. So fans, let’s have a look at some of the guys expected to make some noise at the CFL E-Camp where their performances will either solidify a draft spot or take them off the radar.

Defensively, it’s another strong list of players. The one-on-one position drills will see scouts from all teams paying close attention as these guys get to showcase why they are at the head of the class. Even without full gear on, they are star students of the game.

Starting on the line there is a trio of CIS players to keep an eye on:

Shomari Williams (Queen’s) is a 6’2” 245 lbs. defensive force. He spent time at University of Houston as a linebacker but lined up in Kingston mostly as a defensive end. He had a fantastic run through the OUA playoffs, Bowl Game and Vanier Cup. Williams also contributes on the special teams, which might just be the key to getting more field time early on in his CFL career. His foot-speed is solid and he will be able to showcase that for the first time in Canada at the E-Camp. While technically a lineman for the purpose of the Canadian Draft, I believe he will be better suited as a linebacker when it comes to the CFL.

Chima Ihekwoaba (Wilfrid Laurier) is a 6’3” 251 lbs. player with a 42.5-inch vertical jump. That’s a lot of defender going a long way up! There will be a knock against him, having not played a complete season in any of his years at Laurier but the athletic upside and potential might just make up for that. A strong E-Camp showing will do him a lot of good.

Eddie Steele (Manitoba) is a bull. The 6’1” 271 lbs. Steele needs to get his footwork up but his play features the style points needed to get to the QB. In 2009 he didn’t record a sack but disrupted backfields in all six games he played in. Steele’s efforts were enough that he was honoured with second team All-Canadian status. He led testing at the East-West Bowl with 29 reps on the bench press. He needs to improve on his foot-speed results though.

Stepping a few yards back of the collision area known as the line of scrimmage, the linebackers are a notable group, which is headlined by the 2009 CIS Defensive Player of the Year award winner. Cory Greenwood (Concordia) is a 6’2” 235 lbs. linebacker that earned the 2009 Presidents Trophy which seems to live at Concordia (four of the last six awards have been handed to Stingers linebackers). Greenwood was in on 72 tackles (52 solo and 20 assists) in eight games and added a pair of sacks to that mix. Oh yeah, did we mention that he’s fast (4.4 in the Pro Agility and 4.74 in the 40), strong (21 bench press reps at the East-West Bowl) and can nearly fly (37 inch vertical)?

Joash Gesse (Montreal) is one of two Montreal linebackers to keep a stopwatch ready for. The 6’0” 225 lbs. Gesse ran a 4.68 40 at the East-West Bowl with a 4.38 Pro Agility on top of that. In fact, his only testing number that fell behind Greenwood was his vertical leap. He could only get to 31 inches off the ground. In six games he was involved in 40 collisions (22 solo tackles and 18 assists) and a repeat performance in testing should make him a solid pick in the Draft.

Christian Houle (Montreal) is 6’3” and 240 lbs but gets himself around the Pro Agility test like nobody’s business. Houle posted a blistering 4.12 at the East-West Bowl and will use that change of direction speed on every down.

Adam Dunk (Guelph) is a 6’1” 200 lbs. backer with radar honed in to every play. Dunk collected 42 of his own tackles and then assisted on an outstanding 34 more. His testing session will place him on or off many of the draft boards from around the League. He needs to improve in a few categories but does have the game day resume to bring along with him.

In a league that puts the football up in the air as much as the CFL does, you need quality guys there to catch it and another set of quality guys to make sure receivers fail to do their job – or at least don’t go very far once they do.

Taurean Allen (Wilfrid Laurier) is our leader out of the starting blocks. This 5’10” 190 lbs. corner will track down the ball in the air and more importantly stay step for step with the receiver. Allen was only three hundredths of a second behind the speedy Steven Turner (Bishop’s) in the 40-yard dash. That puts him faster than the bulk of the receivers up for this year’s Draft. If you were wondering if his size is a major hindrance then let his bench press reps and the 36-inch vertical do some reassuring.

Cauchy Muamba (St. Francis Xavier) is a small but quick 5’11” 200 lbs. defensive back. Plus he brings to the table a foot speed sitting at the 4.7 mark for the 40-yard dash and a vertical just a hair under 40 inches. He will need to showcase himself against the best receivers in the nation at the E-Camp though. Those one-on-ones could be the difference between being drafted and being a free agent heading into a training camp.

Derek Batchelor (Toronto) is another of the 5’11” 172 lbs. defensive backs, but he had a monster season making hits in the secondary. He came up with 48 tackles on his own, added 3 assists and chased down one QB for a sack. Again, it will come down to performance at the E-Camp to really set himself apart. He does bring foot speed and leaping ability to the table.

Chayce Elliott (Ottawa) has a nose for the ball. The 5’10” 175 lbs. corner picked off four passes and also recovered three fumbles. He doesn’t come to the group with a stunning resume of testing numbers but all results are in a decent range. When it comes down to it, Elliott just makes plays. Will that CIS success translate to making plays on Friday Night Football broadcasts though? Elliott started his college career at Western Washington prior to the Vikings shutting down their football program.

Jon Krahenbil (Saskatchewan) is another ball hawk. In seven CanWest games, the 6’0” 187 lbs. Krahenbil intercepted five passes and broke up four more. He added another interception and three more pass break-ups in two playoff games. At E-Camp he will need to prove that his 13 tackles and nine assists were because the QBs of CanWest avoided throwing to his side.

The next generation of non-import players is on its way. Get to know these guys early and supplement your football fix by visiting a local CIS stadium some Saturday in the fall. You won’t be disappointed in your investment for the future.

Source:
Kent Ridley
CFL.ca