They are prospects now, just waiting to be coached and shaped into Canadian Football League regulars, and potentially stars.
And over the next few weeks, some of this country’s best college prospects will be under the microscope and the watchful eyes of scouts from all nine CFL teams. Yes, with the calendar turning to March it means we’ve reached combine season as teams get one more look in the flesh at the talent pool available for the 2018 CFL Draft in May.
The regional combines begin next Wednesday with the Eastern Regional in Montreal, followed by the Ontario Regional in Toronto next Friday. The Western Regional will be held here in Winnipeg on March 22 as part of CFL Week and will be followed by the national CFL Combine on March 24-25.
The top draft prospects have already earned invitations to the CFL Combine, but players who shine at the regional tryouts can also earn spots at the national event.
Alex Taylor, a running back from the national champion Western University Mustangs and a product of St. Paul’s High School, is the only Winnipegger among those selected – so far – for the CFL Combine. Taylor was named an All-Canadian last year after leading all running backs in yards per carry (7.8 yards) while rushing for 831 yards in only seven games.
Alex Taylor – Western University Mustangs.
The Western Regional features five Manitoba Bisons: O-lineman Anthony Daley, defensive backs Tyler Fong and Jayden McKoy and wide receiver Stephen Ugbah and two Winnipeg Rifles in running backs Michael Ritchott and Odun Ogidan.
Also participating in the Western Regional are Winnipeg products RB Jimmy Airey (Edmonton Huskies), OL Curtis Krahn (Calgary Dinos), DB Jayden Dalke (Edmonton Wildcats), DE Evin Kochisarli (Edmonton Wildcats) as well as DB Brooks Falloon (Saskatchewan Huskies) of St. Lazare and two Brandon products WR Taylor Maloney (Minot State) and LB Dylan Minshull (Calgary Colts).
At each combine the propsects will be put through a series of tests, beginning with height, weight, hand and arm measurements and then followed by the vertical jump and bench press. On-field testing will include the 40-yard dash, short shuttle, 3-cone drill and the broad jump. That is followed by positional drills and one-on-ones. The CFL Combine will also give coaches and management the chance to interview prospects.
Here’s a schedule of what’s ahead:
Wednesday, March 7 – Eastern Regional Combine; Olympic Stadium, Montreal
Eastern Regional Combine presented by adidas participant list
Friday, March 9 – Ontario Regional Combine, University of Toronto Athletic Centre and Varsity Stadium
Ontario Regional Combine presented by adidas participant list
Thursday, March 22 – Western Regional Combine, Subway Soccer South Complex, Winnipeg
Order of testing: OL, DL, RB, LB, K, WR, DB
9 a.m.: Height, weight, hand, arm measurements, video shot, vertical jump, broad jump, bench press (225 lbs.)
11 a.m.: 40-yard dash, short shuttle and 3-cone drill
1:30 p.m.: Positional drills and one-on-ones
3:50 p.m.: Announcement of players invited to CFL Combine
Western Regional Combine presented by adidas participant list
Saturday, March 24-Sunday, March 25 – CFL Combine, RBC Convention Centre
Saturday, March 24: (RBC Convention Centre)
Order of testing: WR, DB, RB, LB, QB, DL, OL
8:30 a.m.: Height, Weight Measurements and Video Shot
10:00 a.m.: 40-yard dash, short shuttle, and 3-cone drill
Order of testing: WR, DB, RB, LB, QB, DL, OL
7:00 p.m.: Bench Press
Sunday, March 25 (University of Winnipeg RecPlex)
Order of testing: OL, DL, RB, LB, QB, WR, DB
9 a.m.: Broad jump, vertical jump
11 a.m.: Individual drills followed by one-on-ones
2:30 p.m.: Combine completed
CFL Combine presented by adidas participant list
Taylor Maloney – Minot State
The Bombers have been particularly effective in finding Canadian talent in recent drafts. Last year’s class included Faith Ekakitie, Qadr Spooner, Abu Conteh and Ian Marouf – all currently on the roster – along with Brendon Thera-Plamondon and Tylor Henry, both of whom will attend camp, and Félix Ménard-Brière, who remains on the club’s negotiation list. Geoff Gray, one of two first-round picks, is currently with the Cleveland Browns. The 2016 class landed two-time CFL All-Star Taylor Loffler along with Trent Corney, Michael Couture, Shayne Gauthier and Frank Renaud, while the two drafts before that brought aboard Sukh Chungh, Brendan Morgan, Matthias Goossen, Jesse Briggs and Derek Jones – all of whom are still with the team.
The Bombers will draft seventh in this year’s draft and have picks in each of the eight rounds, selecting seventh, 16th, 26th, 33rd, 41st, 49th,58th and 67th overall.
