2023 Hec Crighton Race

[Mocha]

My pick at this point is Arnaud Desjardins. Not sure how Mital's legal issues will interfere with his game.

https://3downnation.com/2023/08/25/2...ighest-honour/


1. Kevin Mital, REC, Université Laval (Saint-Hubert, Que.)
The reigning Hec Crighton winner has to be considered the overwhelming favourite to become the seventh player in history to earn the award twice. Mital was a man amongst boys last season, racking up 58 receptions for 751 yards and 12 touchdowns in eight regular season games. The six-foot-one, 215-pound transfer from Syracuse went on to amass 27 catches for 371 yards and five majors in four playoff games, adding a touchdown pass in a Vanier Cup win where he was named MVP. Recent assault charges are not currently expected to interfere with his ability to play this season and he could soon challenge Andy Fantuz’s status as the greatest receiver in U Sports history.

2. Keon Edwards, RB, Western University (Toronto, Ont.)
A perennial Hec contender in the Mustangs’ run-first attack, Edwards is back for a fourth season after going unselected in the 2023 CFL Draft. The five-foot-11, 230-pound bell cow was the nation’s only thousand-yard rusher last season, averaging 129 yards per game and scoring nine times through eight contests. With his 2022 backfield partner Edouard Wanadi — who was fifth in U Sports rushing in his own right — suspended for PEDs, even more touches could be coming the way of the veteran back.

3. Isaiah Knight, RB, University of British Columbia (Ottawa, Ont.)
In terms of production, Knight’s 859 total yards and five touchdowns last season falls well behind the rest of this list but the six-foot-two, 208-pound back is arguably the most physically gifted in the country. With quarterback Garrett Rooker returning from a serious injury, the third-year man will have to carry even more of the load and will get to do so behind an offensive line that contains two elite pro prospects in Theo Benedet and Giovanni Manu. In a conference that doesn’t have many marquee offensive stars returning, he’s the clear front-runner to receive their nomination.

4. Malcolm Bussey, RB, St. Francis Xavier University (Hammond Plains, N.S.)
No AUS player has won the Hec since Erik Glavic in 2007 but Bussey at least gives the conference an outside shot. The five-foot-11, 200-pound ball carrier has been electric in each of his first two seasons, averaging over 110 yards rushing per game in each. His 12 regular season touchdowns last year also tied him with Mital for the national lead, making him a deserving finalist for the award despite the anti-Atlantic bias.

5. Evan Hillock, QB, Western University (Hamilton, Ont.)
Realistically, as long as the Mustangs’ backfield keeps churning out yards, it will be very difficult for Hillock to generate serious awards hype. However, a weaker running back stable could put more pressure on the third-year starter than ever before and he’s risen to every challenge thus far. After winning the Vanier Cup as a true freshman, the six-foot-three, 205-pound pivot experienced no sophomore slump last year and finished third in the nation with 16 touchdown passes while never throwing a single pick. That’s a remarkable statline, no matter the offence.

6. Arnaud Desjardins, QB, Université Laval (Montreal, Que.)
Chances are that another strong season from Desjardins will only result in keeping the award in his top receiver’s hands, but nobody is playing the quarterback position at a higher level in U Sports right now. The six-foot-five, 215-pound passer’s 73 percent completion rate was tops in the country last year, as were his 20 touchdowns. It was immediately evident at the CFL Combine this offseason that the reigning Vanier Cup winner throws a better ball than any of his peers, even as an underclassman.

7. Quentin Scott, RB, Wilfrid Laurier University (Brampton, Ont.)
Despite finishing third in rushing last season with 924 yards and seven touchdowns, it still felt like no one was talking about Quentin Scott. The five-foot-eight, 183-pound speedster averaged 7.3 yards per carry en route to a second-team OUA all-star selection last year, but his best is yet to come with a burgeoning Golden Hawks squad.

8. Eli Hetlinger, QB, University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alta.)
As a freshman in 2022, Hetlinger started just five games for the Golden Bears before succumbing to injury. However, his 279.2 yards per game sneakily finished third in the country and his nine-to-four touchdown-to-interception ratio was promising for a young player. With two elite Canada West quarterbacks now graduated in Mason Nyhus and Des Catellier, the six-foot, 185-pound Hetlinger is well positioned to fill the void come awards season.

9. Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald, QB, McGill University (Montreal, Que.)
Last season’s Peter Gorman Trophy winner as the sport’s top rookie should now find himself in the race for the main prize, despite not playing for a traditional powerhouse program. At six-foot-four and 185 pounds, he’s a legitimate dual-threat in the vein of 2021 Hec winner Tre Ford, rushing for 602 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman. Latendresse-Regimbald also threw for 2,004 yards, eight touchdowns, and nine interceptions, making him a dark horse if he takes the next step as a passer.

10. Jonathan Senecal, QB, Université de Montreal (Montreal, Que.)
Gifted with the most pure arm talent of this quarterback group, Senecal had a somewhat underwhelming second season at the helm of the Carabins. The six-foot, 200-pound pivot averaged an impressive 273.4 yards per game but recorded as many touchdowns as interceptions with eight apiece. However, a former UConn commit leading a powerhouse program virtually guaranteed to threaten in the postseason can’t be counted out.

[OV Argo]

I thought Mital would be up next CFL draft? If so - how he does not make it into the CFL Scouting Bureau's initial top 20 prospects rankings is mind-boggling ?

Desjardins is an outstanding QB talent IMO - I'd bet on him too. Keon Edwards could go off for even more impressive rushing totals and that would be hard to ignore though.

[Mocha]

I thought Mital would be up next CFL draft? If so - how he does not make it into the CFL Scouting Bureau's initial top 20 prospects rankings is mind-boggling ?

Desjardins is an outstanding QB talent IMO - I'd bet on him too. Keon Edwards could go off for even more impressive rushing totals and that would be hard to ignore though.

That draft ranking without Mital raised my eyebrow too. But it quite likely has to do with the charges he's facing. I think his court date is in September, so we'll see what comes of that.

[Mocha]

Arnaud Desjardins starting the Vanier Cup Defence off strong vs Sherbrooke

22-32

296 yards

3 passing touchdowns

https://twitter.com/Wadezanc/status/...731926998?s=20[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Mocha]

Keon Edwards had a great start in Western's trouncing of York, but Amlicar Polk of Ottawa had even better numbers (142 yards). He was drafted by the Redblacks. Maybe a dark horse candidate for the Hec.

[Mocha]

Jonathan Sénécal had a strong start, being named offensive player of the week.

Jonathan Sénécal completed 26 of his 30 pass attempts for 397 yards and four touchdowns – a career high – on Saturday in the No. 4-ranked Carabins’ 43-11 win over the McGill Redbirds. He was particularly impressive in the first half as he threw only one incompletion on 16 pass attempts. His four majors came to four different receivers as the Carabins celebrated their return to the CEPSUM stadium.

https://usports.ca/en/sports/footbal...rs-of-the-week

[OV Argo]

Jonathan Sénécal had a strong start, being named offensive player of the week.

Jonathan Sénécal completed 26 of his 30 pass attempts for 397 yards and four touchdowns – a career high – on Saturday in the No. 4-ranked Carabins’ 43-11 win over the McGill Redbirds. He was particularly impressive in the first half as he threw only one incompletion on 16 pass attempts. His four majors came to four different receivers as the Carabins celebrated their return to the CEPSUM stadium.

https://usports.ca/en/sports/footbal...rs-of-the-week

And follows it up with a 376 yards / 3 TDs passing game in a win over Concordia. This kid is a very good QB talent IMO. They should challenge Laval again for the Q. Battle against another top QB in Desjardins.

The Q has produced some very good QB talent in the past number of years IMO; Robichaud for Sherby is good and that U Sports rookie of year last season - Latendrese-Regimbald (McGill) - is a big QB and a real run threat who has done some passing damage and should continue to get better; and Concordia's vet starter O. Roy is a former Q player of the year (so up for the Hec). Before that - Hugo Richard was IMO one of the top U Sports QBs of all-time.

[Mocha]

Here's a CBC piece on Keon Edwards:

23-year-old OUA star from Toronto hopes to use experience to elevate teammates

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/u-sports-n...ards-1.6956477

I'd love to see the Argos invite Edwards to camp next season, especially if Harris is retiring. He could maybe be backup to Adeboboye, who should slide up into Harris spot backing up AJO.

[OV Argo]

Here's a CBC piece on Keon Edwards:

23-year-old OUA star from Toronto hopes to use experience to elevate teammates

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/u-sports-n...ards-1.6956477

I'd love to see the Argos invite Edwards to camp next season, especially if Harris is retiring. He could maybe be backup to Adeboboye, who should slide up into Harris spot backing up AJO.

The dude wasn't CFL drafted at all, after his outstanding rushing production with the Mustangs. The GOB scouts like their excuses to write-off some U Sports all-star talent as not good enough, and Edwards 5 second forty at the CFL Combine did the trick (and again - Andy Fantuz ran a 5 second forty at his CFL Combine).

Love to see the Argos go with your idea and sign Edwards for a TC look (and with Andrew H retiring); I certainly won't bet on it though; I will bet that Keon never plays in the CFL however.

[Mocha]

[Mocha]

After a tough first half in his first game, Saskatchewan's QB Anton Amundrud has been lighting things up. He might be an early contender for the Hec.

Hillock and Senecal continue to roll as well at the QB spot.

Edwards and Bussey are among the top at RB, along with Polk out of Ottawa.

At WR, it seems Mital missed the game against McGill, though his numbers from week 1 are strong. Mohsen Jamal from Western has had a strong start. Let's see how well he can keep pace with Mital.

[Mocha]

A new contender?

[OV Argo]

Alberta Bears 4th year RB Peterson having a great season so far; goes off for 176 yards rushing + 104 receiving yards for 280 yards from scrimmage ! in another Bears win today; keeps this production up (including averaging 9 yards per carry!) and he could be in the Hec running.

Wonder if CFL "scouts" will take notice ?

[Mocha]

Alberta Bears 4th year RB Peterson having a great season so far; goes off for 176 yards rushing + 104 receiving yards for 280 yards from scrimmage ! in another Bears win today; keeps this production up (including averaging 9 yards per carry!) and he could be in the Hec running.

Wonder if CFL "scouts" will take notice ?

Those are some huge numbers!

I saw this on twitter yesterday, Elgersma's numbers over the past two games:


And this from one of the games back East . . . 30 carries! I'm not sure what Burzak's season numbers are though.


Just checked, he's 3rd in total yards behind Polk and Peterson.

[Mocha]

Here is 3DN's midseason piece on Hec candidates.

Some early favourites--Keon Edwards and Arnaud Desjardins, for example--have fallen out of the top 10. I'm glad to see the Gee-Gees Polk included though, as well as some other RBs.

https://3downnation.com/2023/09/28/t...hy-candidates/

[Mocha]

Desjardins was player of the week. Maybe he'll climb back into consideration.

https://3downnation.com/2023/10/04/l...r-of-the-week/

[OV Argo]

A QB who has a real good season will usually win this award; but that production from RB Matt Peterson is outstanding and so far, he deserves the recognition IMO.

[Mocha]

And it's the Carabins' QB who ends up taking home the prize. Let's see if he can win the Vanier, too. I think they must be favoured over UBC at this point.

Senecal beat out Wilfrid Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma, St. FX quarterback Silas Fagnan, and Alberta running back Matthew Peterson to become the first player in school history to win the award. He is the second consecutive winner from the RSEQ, following Laval receiver Kevin Mital who won in 2022.

https://3downnation.com/2023/11/23/m...ighton-trophy/

[OV Argo]

And it's the Carabins' QB who ends up taking home the prize. Let's see if he can win the Vanier, too. I think they must be favoured over UBC at this point.

Senecal beat out Wilfrid Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma, St. FX quarterback Silas Fagnan, and Alberta running back Matthew Peterson to become the first player in school history to win the award. He is the second consecutive winner from the RSEQ, following Laval receiver Kevin Mital who won in 2022.

https://3downnation.com/2023/11/23/m...ighton-trophy/

Congrats to Senecal and the other award winners including the all_Canadian all-stars. Sad they get so little recognition in their own country.

Should be a good Vanier IMO.