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March 25, 2017

CFL Combine Wrap-Up

Nathaniel Behar WR (Carleton) during the 2017 CFL combine in Regina, SK., Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Photo: Johany Jutras)

REGINA – Between wiping the sweat from his face and still trying to catch his breath, Evan Foster had a size-large grin on his face at the conclusion of his Canadian Football League National Combine.

And with good reason.

The University of Manitoba Bisons defensive lineman was arguably the busiest prospect at Evraz Place on Saturday, taking reps in the trenches and impressing with his speed off the edge, and then being switched to linebacker for another look-see from CFL teams intrigued by his athleticism.

“It’s been nice to exhale… since I’ve got the pads off I’ve been relieved,” said Foster. “I feel like I’ve done everything I can.”

Listed at 6-1, 245, Foster flashed his skills at end. But his quickness seems to be intriguing CFL scouts and he had a hint he would get some work at linebacker after doing interviews with all teams except Edmonton on Thursday.

He wasn’t pleased with the 4.981 40 he ran, but more than made up for it when the helmets and pads came on later in the day.

“It was eating at me pretty good for most of the day,” Foster admitted. “But after the one-on-ones, I had a couple good reps, and you just forget that kind of stuff and focus on playing football. I came here to play football, not run a race.

“There’s tons of pressure. I just try to do what I do best. The more I was going the more I got into a groove and just kept rolling.”

Evan Foster DL (Manitoba) during the 2017 CFL combine in Regina, SK., Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Photo: Johany Jutras)

Evan Foster DL (Manitoba) during the 2017 CFL combine in Regina, SK., Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Photo: Johany Jutras)

Carleton wide receiver Nate Behar battled the same mental games. Unhappy with some of his test results, he shook off his numbers and made some plays when the ball was in the air Saturday afternoon.

“I came out today with a positive attitude and just tried to enjoy it because it was the last day of the CFL combine and you only get to do it once,” he said. “Being looser with it and having fun with it translated into some good times.

“I was getting into my own head. There were a couple coaches, like Coach P from Hamilton (Stefan Ptaszek) told me, ‘Don’t let this get to you.’ Once I heard it from a coach it meant a lot.

“Being a Canadian receiver, you know you’re going to have to play on specials (special teams) and it’s not just about being the fastest guy or being a finesse guy. You need to be able to get your head in there and get a little dirty, especially in the special-teams drills.”

Behar, FYI, met with all nine CFL teams in the one-on-one interviews.

“It was kinda fun,” he said. “Some of them try to goad you and get under your skin a little bit. But I’m an easygoing guy and so I don’t think I took the bait on any of that. None of them were really negative… they just tried to show some bad plays. You’ve just got to admit your flaws and tell them you’ll be ready to go by May 25th.

“I’m definitely a guy who puts a lot of stress on myself, so having all my coaches back in Carleton, my strength coaches, my mom and my family… they said there’s only 40 or so of you from the whole country there. You need to enjoy this moment. I’ve been going a little crazy, but all athletes are a little crazy.”

Nathaniel Behar WR (Carleton) during the 2017 CFL combine in Regina, SK., Saturday, March 25, 2017. (Photo: Johany Jutras)

Blue Bombers GM Kyle Walters mentioned a few of the prospects who stood out for him on the weekend here, obviously careful about providing any hints as to who they might select first overall.

Here are a handful of guys that jumped out for Ed Tait of bluebombers.com (in no particular order):

  • Danny Vandervoort, WR, McMaster: Really popped off the page; no drops, great hands.
  • Junior Luke, DT, Montreal: Had his moments in the one-on-ones, flashing an ability to overpower O-linemen.
  • Kwabena Asare, LB, Carleton: Very raw, but he’s got size at 6-8, 296. A project type OL.
  • Nathaniel Behar, WR, Carleton: There’s speed there and a great base of athleticism.
  • Mark Mackie, DL, McMaster: It’s tough to project him as anything but a special teams guy, but his performance in one-on-ones might have moved him at least onto the radar as a later-round pick.
  • Braden Schram, OL, Calgary: Very steady in the trenches.
  • Johnny Augustine, RB, Guelph: Walters noted that his pass protection looked like it needed work on his game film. Not an issue at the combine.

 

BEST TESTERS 

40-yard dash

1 Tunde Adeleke, DB, Carleton – 4.581
2 Jordan Hoover, DB, Waterloo – 4.603
3 Nate Behar, WR, Carleton – 4.613

* All-time record – Stephen Turner, Bishop’s, 2010, 4.31 (hand-held time)


Bench Press

1 Jean Simon-Roy, OL, Laval – 39
2 Samuel Narkaj, OL, Concordia – 34
3 Qadr Spooner, OL, McGill; Mathieu Dupuis, DL, Montreal – 31

* All-time record – Michael Knill, Wilfrid Laurier, 2011 – 47


Vertical leap

1 Malcolm Carter, WR, Carleton — 40
2 Jonah Pataki, RB, Queen’s; Richard Gillespie, DB Toronto – 36.5
3 Harland Hastings, DB, Acadia – 36.5


Broad jump

1 Malcolm Carter, WR, Carleton – 10’5.25”
2 Harland Hastings, DB, Acadia – 10’5”
3 Jordan Hoover, DB, Waterloo – 10’4.5”


Shuttle

1 Jordan Hoover, DB, Waterloo – 4.03
2 Dondre Wright, DB, Henderson State – 4.06
3 Malcolm Carter, WR, Ottawa Sooners – 4.17


3-Cone Drill

1 Jordan Hoover, DB, Waterloo – 6.98
2 Robert Woodson, DB, Calgary – 7.03
3 Evan Foster, DL, Manitoba – 7.11