Final CFL Scouting Bureau Rankings and Who the Argos Pursue

[jerrym]

While he never played in the NFL, Argos Jim Corrigall from Kent State, was drafted in the 2nd round (33rd overall) by St. Louis Cardinals in 1970.

They also left out the very first CIS player to play in the NFL, Jim Young. The Argos actually played a role in bringing him back to Canada through a trade.

National Football League - Minnesota Vikings

Young was the first CIS football player, playing for Queen's University, drafted into the National Football League in 1965. He played Running back/halfback for the Minnesota Vikings in the 1965 and 1966 seasons (playing 6 games, rushing 3 times for 4 yards, and returning 6 punts and 9 kickoffs).
Young ended up signing with the Canadian Football League's BC Lions in a multi-player "trade" between the NFL and the CFL teams, one of the very few transactions to ever occur between the two leagues.^{[citation needed]}
Young wanted to return to Canada, and the BC Lions were very interested in acquiring him, however the Toronto Argonauts had his CFL rights.
The Minnesota Vikings were very interested in signing BC Lions quarterback Joe Kapp.
The Minnesota Vikings general manager at the time was Jim Finks, who had brought Kapp to Canada back in the 1959 CFL season, and their head coach was Bud Grant who had faced Kapp while coaching the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Both Finks and Grant, wanted to sign Joe Kapp to replace Fran Tarkenton who had been traded to the New York Giants.
To make this transaction possible, the BC Lions traded all-star defensive lineman Dick Fouts, and future Canadian Football Hall of Fame running back Bill Symons to the Argonauts for the CFL rights to Jim Young. They then managed getting Kapp waived out of the Canadian Football League.
The Minnesota Vikings managed getting Jim Young waived out of the NFL. The expansion New Orleans Saints wanted Young and it took some work from Finks to keep them from claiming Young.
Young, now waived from the NFL, signed with the BC Lions and Joe Kapp, who was waived from the CFL, was free to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, who had previously claimed his NFL playing rights from the Washington Redskins.

Canadian Football League - BC Lions
Young played from the 1967 to 1979 season with the BC Lions (for 197 games,) primarily as a wide receiver. Young was named a CFL All-Star at wide receiver for the 1972 season, and was a two-time Western Conference All Star at two positions (running back in 1969, wide receiver in 1972). Young was awarded the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in the 1970 and 1972 seasons.
He gained a reputation for his hard nosed play, hence the nickname "Dirty 30". His style of play forced defensive backs to watch out for him.
Young previously held several BC Lions team records, including most receptions, 552, most receiving yards, 9248, and most receiving touchdowns, with 65. These now are all held by Geroy Simon. He is one of only two Lions to surpass the 10,000 yard mark overall and he dominated the Lions offense for many years despite playing with 23 different quarterbacks. He saw action in five playoff seasons for B.C. and still ranks as the fifth all-time leading scorer in club history at 410 points.
Young's #30 jersey is one of ten numbers retired by the Lions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Young

[OV Argo]

Young & Corrigal are two pretty glaring omissions from that list = interesting.

[Wobbler]

The report of the Lions shopping Edem was mentioned in the transactions thread, but that same report also suggested that they were "listening to offers" for one of their first round picks (#3 and #7). Could we be interested?

With Laing back in the fold I really like our NAT roster, and I think we can afford to draft a mix of short- and long-term prospects. But... what I think doesn't matter. Is it possible that Popp has locked on to someone and wants to move up?

[argolio]

Jim Young being an NFL draft pick seems to be an urban myth. Can't find any evidence that he was.

[Argo57]

The report of the Lions shopping Edem was mentioned in the transactions thread, but that same report also suggested that they were "listening to offers" for one of their first round picks (#3 and #7). Could we be interested?

With Laing back in the fold I really like our NAT roster, and I think we can afford to draft a mix of short- and long-term prospects. But... what I think doesn't matter. Is it possible that Popp has locked on to someone and wants to move up?

Would Wally want Willy😛

[paulwoods13]

Jim Young being an NFL draft pick seems to be an urban myth. Can't find any evidence that he was.

I just did a quick scan of Dirty Thirty, the autobio he write with Jim Taylor, and in it he talks about being signed by Minnesota but makes no mention of being drafted. Wikipedia (the source of that information) is not always accurate, but it does have a full list of the 1965 NFL draft and Young's name does not appear.

[OV Argo]

Pro Football Reference - pretty deep NFL stats source - does not have Jim Young listed as a Vikings draftee in 65, but does have Young's stats with the Vikings in the bit he played in 65 & 66.

He was not drafted in the NFL it seems. Jim Corrigal was though.

[jerrym]

Since I used the mistaken Wikipedia reference to Young' alleged NFL draft, I will further clarify what happened according to BC Lions Den.

After a stellar career at Hamilton’s Westdale High School, Young decided to accept a scholarship to Queen’s University where he was an all-star running back in each of his three seasons with the Golden Gaels. In 1963, he played on both the offensive and defensive teams. Young was a sought after commodity at the end of his college career, and was drafted first overall by Toronto Argonauts. However, when the Argos wouldn’t meet his contract demands, Young accepted an offer from the Vikings and caught on to play two seasons for the NFL club.
The Lions traded to obtain the rights to Young from the Toronto Argonauts, who held his Canadian rights. They traded the rights to BC for Dick Fouts and Bill Symons. And in a deal that would never happen today, The NFL Vikings then traded Jim to the CFL Lions for another Lions legend, quarterback Joe Kapp.

http://bclionsden.ca/bc-lions-ring-of-honour/jim-young/

[jerrym]

Draft prospect DL Kwaku Boateng has agreed to attend the Chicago Bears mini-camp.

The two-time USports All-Canadian played an integral role in the Golden Hawks run to a 2016 Yates Cup championship, the program’s first since 2005. Laurier’s career sack leader has proven his ability to rush the passer at the university level. He’s a two-time academic All-Canadian as well.
Boateng checked in at six-foot-one, 233 pounds at the CFL combine. He recorded a 4.90 40-yard time, 33.5-inch vertical, 8-foot 7 3/4-inch broad jump, 7.49 3-cone time and 4.29 shuttle.

http://3downnation.com/2017/05/01/ca...i-camp-invite/

[Wobbler]

That increases the odds he'll be available at #9. Good.

[jerrym]

The New York Giants appear to once again be bringing more Canadians to their mini-camps than any other NFL club. The url below includes videos of each of these players in action. This could increase the chance that at least some or all of these players are available for the Argos to draft.

Regina offensive lineman Jeremy Zver, UBC receiver Alex Morrison, Calgary defensive end/linebacker Connor McGough and defensive back Robert Woodson have accepted invites to New York Giants rookie mini-camp, per sources (in addition to Junior Luke who already was going to the Giants mini-camp).
Zver was a dual-sport athlete, basketball and football, at Regina. He was a 2016 Canada West all-star at left tackle. During three seasons with the Rams football team, he started 27 games. At the 2017 CFL combine, Zver, six-foot-four, 305 pounds, put up 21 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, ran a 5.28 40-yard time, 4.82 shuttle, 8.03 3-cone, broad jumped 8 feet, 7 1/2 inches and recorded a 30-inch vertical. ...
Morrison is a big target, over six-foot-three, 216 pounds, who runs well for his size with 4.62 40-yard speed. Plus, 4.29 shuttle, 7.13 3-cone, 9 feet, 8 1/2-inch broad and 33.5-inch vertical. He played in just two games for the Thunderbirds in 2016 due to a broken arm. In 2015, Morrison made 37 receptions for 631 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games for UBC, including seven catches for 95 yards in the team’s 2015 Vanier Cup victory over Montreal. ...
McGough, a two-time Canada West all-star, made an impression on CFL scouts with a strong one-on-one session at the CFL combine. He ran a 4.73 40 time, 4.25 shuttle, 7.14 3-cone, nine feet, three-inch broad jump, 32.5-inch vertical and 23 bench press reps at over six feet, 247 pounds. McGough recorded 31 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four sacks for the University of Calgary last season. ...

Woodson was the Canada West defensive player of the year in 2015 and a first-team all-Canadian. He followed that up with a Canada West all-star selection last season after making 16 tackles, one interception, one pass break-up and one forced fumble. The five-foot-10, 199-pound defensive back ran a 4.64 40-yard time, 4.44 shuttle, 7.03 3-cone, 10 1/2-inch broad and 35-inch vertical with 18 reps on the bench press at the CFL combine in March. Woodson has CFL bloodlines as the son of Tony who played four seasons in the CFL as a linebacker and brother to Anthony currently a running back with the Calgary Stampeders. ...
Montreal Carabins defensive lineman Junior Luke will be at Giants mini-camp too.

http://www.argofans.com/editpost.php...41&do=editpost

[jerrym]

University of Sherbrooke FB is going to the Kansas City Chiefs mini-camp, which could also affect when he is drafted.

He ran the fastest 40-yard time for any running back or fullback at the CFL combine 4.73 seconds. Adding a 4.33 shuttle, 7.31 3-cone, 29,5-inch vertical and 9 foot, 4 3/4-inch broad jump. Gosselin’s well built, 30 reps on the bench at just over six feet tall and 251 pounds, a strong blocker and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Among CFL scouts, Gosselin is the consensus top fullback available in the 2017 CFL draft.

http://3downnation.com/2017/05/02/sh...efs-mini-camp/

[jerrym]

Here's a video interview and highlights of Wilfred Laurier UniversityDE prospect Kwaku Boateng.

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/03/prospec...kwaku-boateng/

[jerrym]

Below is a video interview of LB Matt Singleton, Calgary's Alex Singleton's brother, is a potential draftee thanks to his Canadian citizenship, which is due to his mother being born in Canada.

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/28/prospec...att-singleton/

[jerrym]

University of Regina prospect SB Mitchell Picton is video interviewed below.

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/01/prospec...tchell-picton/

[jerrym]

Another prospect video interview involving a CFL brother is University of Calgary Dino's Robert Woodson, whose brother Anthony was a RB for the Argos, as well as the Bombers and Tiger-Cats.

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/29/compari...obert-woodson/

[jerrym]

Marshall Ferguson discusses how the NFL signings of CFL propsects affects the upcoming draft below. Do you agree or disagree with his reasoning on these prospects?

A number of late-round selections and free agent signings will alter where prospects are chosen next Sunday, so let’s take a look at how it all could shake down:
Justin Senior (Drafted by Seattle Seahawks): As the only CFL draft prospect drafted, Senior is least likely to see a CFL uniform anytime soon. Senior was drafted 210th overall by the Seahawks, whose offensive tackle situation is relatively thin. A good thing for Senior, a bad thing for the CFL and his draft stock.
I don’t expect to hear the CFL Scouting Bureau’s top ranked prospect until the back half of the draft on Sunday.


Eli Ankou (Signed with Houston Texans): Ankou is discussed in some NFL circles as a steal of a priority undrafted free agent. At 331 pounds with good movement, he would be a CFL defensive coordinator’s dream which is why I believe despite his recent signing with the Houston Texans, Eli could still be taken in the first half of Sunday’s draft — perhaps as high as the second or third round.
For comparison, Ankou joins Canadian Christian Covington who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft and subsequently the fifth round of the CFL draft by the BC Lions.
Antony Auclair (Signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Auclair was a fringe draft pick who went unselected in the NFL draft but was quickly picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a priority free agent. the Buccaneers did draft a tight end over the weekend. Their first round selection was highly regarded Alabama big man O.J. Howard who is the future for Tampa Bay at the tight end position.
Factor that with Auclair joining a tight end group six deep as of today and you get a player who is likely to stick based on talent but could be here in a year or two. I believe he is worth the risk by the third round of the CFL draft. ...

Geoff Gray (Signed with Green Bay Packers): It’s easy to see now how great a fit Gray is for the Packers and clearly how much they wanted him. The Packers attended Gray’s pro day in Winnipeg and had him to Wisconsin for a visit before picking him up quickly after the draft. In my last mock draft I had Gray going first overall to the hometown Bombers. While I still believe he is worthy of that pick, it’s a risk teams will have to live with which could mean he slides to the second round or further.
Faith Ekakitie: As of now, Ekakitie remains unsigned to a free agent deal after going undrafted. With solid pro day numbers backing him, Faith should reach into the top 15, maybe even 10 of the CFL draft Sunday.
Cameron Judge: After becoming CFL draft eligible this past week, Judge has gone undrafted and unsigned in the NFL. His pro day numbers at UCLA were out of this world compared to his contemporaries in what is a relatively weak linebacker class. Judge is a mystery man as a late add. I, like all CFL teams, will need to really vet his game film and on-field production to get a better sense of draft stock this week.
Christophe Mulumba (Signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Mulumba joins Auclair as a Tampa Bay signee albeit not as a priority undrafted free agent like the Laval tight end. Mulumba is in the same boat as fellow linebacker Jordan Herdman. Both guys trying to make it over the first NFL hurdle of mini camp with prospects of being solid, sustainable CFL players in a year or two.
Expect Mulumba gone in the first three rounds Sunday.
Jordan Herdman (Invited to Kansas City Chiefs Mini-Camp): Herdman had a terrible draft process. Since the Senior Bowl, where he stood out for his on-field accolades and showed why he was a nationally recognized standout at Simon Fraser, Herdman struggled with poor testing numbers and declining perception.



I’m not sure any of that matters when you actually watch him play football. The Kansas City Chiefs agreed by signing him to a rookie mini camp invitation, making Herdman one of the most interesting CFL draft evaluations. I can’t get a true read on him, but hope that football people see a football player worthy of a selection in he front half of Sunday’sdraft.

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/04/30/ferguso...t-weeks-draft/

[ArgoRavi]

An NFL mini-camp invite is unlikely to mean much. Chances of even signing an NFL contract aren't that great.