EDMONTON, ON - MARCH 21: Players participate in day 4 of the CFL Combine at the Commonwealth Field house on Saturday, March 25 at the Commonwealth Field house in Edmonton, Alberta.
It could be said there is no better endorsement in U Sports football than one coming from University of Manitoba Bisons head coach Brian Dobie.
And Dobie – generally regarded as one of the most genuine people in Canadian college football – positively gushes about Bisons defensive tackle Collin Kornelson.
“He’s just a true teammate. He’s such a good person,” began Dobie in a recent chat with bluebombers.com for the final of four CFL Draft Prospect Profiles with Bisons and/or Manitoba connections. “There is no locker room in the world that doesn’t want a Collin Kornelson in it. He’s considerate, kind and a good friend to everyone around him.
“He’s also tough, very tough, on top of someone who just treats people the right way all the time.”
A shade under 6-2and 288 pounds, Kornelson was one of the Bisons captains last season and the St. Paul’s High School product attended the CFL Draft Combine in Edmonton last month.
“I’m a player that if you need me to do something a certain way or change something, I will do everything I can to make sure I’m doing what’s expected – whether that’s on the football field or a certain area I need to be better in athletically,” Kornelson said. “Whatever you want to get out of me is what you’ll get.”
And it’s that approach Dobie believes will serve Kornelson well at the next level.
“When we recruited him, we were interested in him but at the time he wasn’t that blue-chip recruit that everyone in the country was trying to get,” said Dobie. “He was a good, solid player. Where I’m going with this is he was obviously and undoubtedly underrated.
“He’s big. He’s strong – he’s really strong – and he has never wavered. That kid is al character. He’s got great intrinsics, great character and his work ethic is that good. He’s earned this by the work he’s put in the entire time. He’s never stopped.
He’s lived in the weight room. He’s been incredibly coachable on the field and keeps soaking everything up.
“He’s where he should be right now. He should have a real shot.”
Asked to list a defensive tackle in the pros he enjoys watching, Kornelson offered up Los Angeles Rams superstar Aaron Donald.
“It’s just seeing someone who has the same build, the same height and weight, and how he is so dominant even though he’s considered undersized,” Kornelson said. “He’s just so quick, so strong, so technical with his hands and everything. I love watching him for sure.”
Kornelson tied for the best bench-press reps among O-linemen at the combine with 21 and had the second-best broad jump. He also had a handful of one-on-one interviews with CFL teams at the event.
Right now, he’s in a waiting mode, still training and with his fingers crossed he’ll hear his name called in the May 2nd CFL Draft. Looking beyond that is almost wasted energy.
“I’m really just taking it day by day. I have to,” he said. “I don’t want to focus too much on the future and instead concentrate what I have to do every day and making sure I’m putting my best foot forward.”
And as for the possibility of playing for the Blue Bombers?
“That,” he said with a chuckle, “would obviously be a dream come true. To be able to play for your hometown team is always something you think about.”
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The Collin Kornelson File
Position: Defensive tackle
School: University of Manitoba
Height: 6-2; Weight: 288
FYI: One of the Bison team captains in 2022… Played his minor football for the Valour Patriots and then the St. Paul’s Crusaders… Participated in the 2022 U Sports East-West Bowl.
The other players with Manitoba connections previously profiled:
