2018 CFL draft

[OV Argo]

Why not? I'm a big fan of the draft, like you, OV, and I'm looking forward to hearing more about the prospects.

??? - why not what ?

I was just hoping somebody could link that article about the number of Canadians going to that US scouting camp - to help track the draft prospects - here in this one thread.

[jerrym]

I was just hoping somebody could link that article about the number of Canadians going to that US scouting camp - to help track the draft prospects - here in this one thread.

I think this is what you meant.

Canadian players, including those coming from the CIS, are getting more opportunities to profile their skills in the US each year, as reflected in the growth of their presence at the Collge Gridiron Showcase.

The College Gridiron Showcase has grown exponentially.
Craig Redd, a former certified agent, and Jose Jefferson, a former coach and current athletic director, founded the U.S.-based event which began in 2015. The goal: allowing late round and undrafted prospects to be showcased to as many scouts as possible.
“We’re not the Senior Bowl or East-West Shrine Game and we’re not trying to be. They’ve been around a long time, they worry about the first, second, third round picks, that’s not the player who we’re going after,” Redd said. “We’re going after that player who needs some more exposure.”
The first-year goal was a modest ten scouts: instead, 65 scouts from 26 NFL teams and 10 to 15 from six of the nine CFL teams showed up, far exceeding expectations. After running a week of practices in preparation for a game in 2015, the format was changed in 2016 and it has remained the same since. It’s an organized training activity style, meaning individual drills, one-on-ones and team periods. ...

Year two saw 85 NFL scouts representing 30 of the 32 NFL clubs and 15-20 from seven of nine CFL teams make the trip to Texas. And year three 111 NFL scouts, 32 of 32 NFL teams and the same CFL numbers. Clearly scouts like the format of the event.
And the number of players getting legitimate pro opportunities backs that up. In three years, 273 players have received NFL opportunities, or about 60 per cent of attendees. There are 45 players from the Showcase on NFL rosters, 16 of whom were drafted. All four players from Canada were selected in the CFL draft and 18 players are currently on CFL rosters. ...
Eight prospects from Canada were invited in 2018 after Canadian company stepped up to sponsor athletes for the week. ...
“Because of the type of players we get, the late round NFL guys rounds four through seven and undrafted free agents, that’s where a lot of scouts make their money,” Redd said. “Earning their recognition and finding those diamonds in the rough, late round gems who end up making their roster and contributing to their franchise.”

http://3downnation.com/2018/01/10/co...rican-flavour/



Five of the eight Canadians invited to the 2018 College Gridiron Showcase come from the CIS rather than from American colleges, reflecting its growing recognition as a source of talent. The five CIS Canadians, as well as the three from American colleges, are profiled below. The CiS players are: OL Andrew Pickett, FB and LS David Mackie, WR Tyrone Pierre, DB/LB Jackson Bennett, and DB Godfrey Oneyka.

http://3downnation.com/2017/12/29/ei...iron-showcase/

[OV Argo]

That's it = thanks Jerry