Prospect Analysis: A look at the offence

February 24, 2010

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.

Starting on the offensive side of the ball, what would the Canadian Draft be without some top receivers? After all it is a passing game – a pair of All-Canadians lead the pack:

Cory Watson (Concordia) is an inside receiver coming in at 6’2” and 204 lbs. This second team All-Canadian pulled down 52 passes for 821 yards in only eight games along with six touchdowns. He was one of only four CIS players over 800 yards during the 2009 season. Watson didn’t test at the East-West Bowl so it will be interesting to see his numbers for the first time.

Akeem Foster (St. FX), a 6’4” 208 lbs. wide side receiver, may not have had a draft year season that grabbed the spotlight but he did snag 37 catches for 595 yards over the eight game CIS season. This earned Foster first team All-Canadian accolades. He has a great reach and a vertical jump to match at 33 inches. He needs to show more on the bench press from his East-West Bowl testing numbers because that strength would say he could fight off a would-be tackler or a jam play at the line.

Another CIS receiver to toss into the mix is Jordan Sisco (Regina). A 6’0” 210 lbs. receiver that earned an invitation to the annual Shrine Bowl down south thanks to a 52 catch year for 700 yards, he is a between the 20s possession receiver. Sisco had fairly average testing numbers at the East-West Bowl and needs to show more at the E-Camp.

A pair of Ottawa Gee-Gees fit into the watch list in Cyril Adjeitey and Steven Hughes. Adjeitey earned second team All-Canadian status and both had strong years with 672 and 685 receiving yards respectively.

Despite the CFL’s status as a passing league, seven players reached 1,000 yards on the ground last year and one more fall 68 yards short. The search for the ratio-busting, non-import running back will continue this E-Camp and here are five names to know:

Anthony Woodson (Calgary) is a hair under 6-feet tall and a load at 202 lbs. His footwork did him well with the Dinos until an injury caught up to him last year. That injury opened the door for Matt Walter (CFL Draft ’11) to showcase his talents. This E-Camp will be another chance for Woodson to make up for lost time.

Pascal Fils (Sherbrooke) is a 5’8” 211 lbs. powerhouse who led the CIS in rushing last season. He was the only CIS back with 200 carries and racked up 1,331 yards. He needs to improve on his foot speed because he didn’t show enough at the East-West Bowl testing when it came down to the 40-yard dash and the Pro Agility tests.

The OUA weighs in with a pair of backs. Out of Wilfrid Laurier there is Mike Montoya and his 5’10” 236 lbs. frame that carried the rock for 847 yards and six touchdowns. From Guelph, Nick FitzGibbon put up 736 rushing yards and another 400 receiving yards with 14 total touchdowns.

Matt Henry (Manitoba) is one of the larger backs at 6’0” and 220 lbs. He is a strong, athletic player that could be asked to switch to fullback.

The offensive line is littered with prospects yet again – big prospects. You know, guys that would make you stock up your fridge before asking them over for a BBQ. All of them will be under the microscope when it comes to the one-on-one drills and the CIS is sending a fair number of guards to the mix. Going east to west we have Kristian Matte (Concordia), Justin Glover (McMaster) and Patrick Neufeld (Saskatchewan). For all of them there’s a significant lean on their Pro Agility numbers and their bench press results.

On the outside of the line, there is a duo of CIS tackles to keep an eye on at E-Camp. One of them, Joel Reinders (Waterloo) is an ex-basketball player that added some weight to his 6’8” frame to withstand the punishment of playing on the line. This was, however, only his second year of organized football so some seasoning will be needed. The other, Cody Husband (UBC) is another big 6’7” body that will get some notice especially when it comes down to the one-on-one drills.

Out of the American system we have seven top offensive line prospects. However, those with NCAA time left won’t be attending the E-Camp as it kills off their amateur status. From that grouping, two stand 6’8”, Joe Eppele (Washington State) and John Bender (Nevada). Bender, however, will not attend E-Camp. Another two stand 6’6”, Nasser Jamal (Louisiana-Lafayette) and Scott Ferguson (St. Cloud State) and like Bender, neither will attend E-Camp. Now, size isn’t everything but it’s like the old cliché, you can’t teach size.

Special Teams in the CFL is a vital part of a team’s success. The return game can provide instant field position and a strong kicking game sets up the defense for their next stand. This year teams will be monitoring a standout from both sides of the kick. Rob Maver (Guelph) has been tabbed the top up and coming punter/kicker in Canada by Kicking Coach Gary Zauner.

Bringing the ball back up field is another vital aspect of special teams and one that is done very well by Steven Turner (Bishop’s) who led the nation in punt return yard average (20.4 yards per punt return). Even though he only played in six games and got his hands on a mere 13 punts, Turner put his speed to work and returned two kicks to the endzone. Back at the East-West Bowl it was Turner who posted the top 40-yard dash time, making it two national combine events in a row that featured Gaiters players with the top time.

Also out there in the return game is Gabriel Ephard (Simon Fraser) who was sixth in the nation for establishing field position off of kickoffs. He averaged 19.6 yards per kick return on an average of two returns per game.

Source:
Kent Ridley
CFL.ca

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

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