CFL Combine time; prospect position groups - receiver

[OV Argo]

Wether this is considered a deep draft class? Not sure, but maybe a lot deeper than first thought?

Receivers:

A few receivers in the CFL's Prospects list top 20, including #1 Tevaun Smith (Iowa); this number may be bolstered quite a bit by the main E-Camp invitee list and maybe some additions from the Regional Camps.

The main E-Camp list already includes a couple of before unmentioned types who played Div I US college ball: Josh Stanford (Kansas) - heard somebody mocking this guy's limited production last year at Kansas (only a few catches in a couple of games played), but previously he played at Virginia Tech where his best season production was a few yards better than #1 overall prospect Smith's best season at Iowa ! ? Also - Mike Jones (Southern) - decent but modest production there but he was playing in a Div I program and apparently has great speed.

In addition to those US college ball receivers, I count at least 7 CIS star receivers who have either been CIS all-stars or else in the top 10 in a CIS season in # of receptions or yardage: Brian Jones (Acadia), Levi Noel (U of T), George Johnson (Western), Doug Corby (Queens), Brett Blazko (Calgary) Daniel Skube (Concordia), Alex Vitt (Manitoba - just put up a very good set of test #s at the Edmonton regional); there are also some other interesting CIS receiver prospects like Matt Uren and Jamal Kett (huge target former TE at SFU), both from Western, and Felix Faubert-Lussier (Laval).

SO - maybe a pretty deep receiver class this draft.

Hope the Argos can land at least one of them in the draft, and could probably wait till the mid to even late rounds ?

[KCargosfan]

I live 30 minutes from KU and have never heard of Stanford. That doesn't mean anything, but I'm not sure why he transferred to one of the worst college programs in the country. His lack of production is not surprising as KU's starter the first 4-5 games was more of a runner who was awful passing, then they started a true freshman.

[OV Argo]

Add receiver Shaquille Johnson to the list: former CIS rookie of the year with McGill; transferred to Western and didn't do much there; but ran a pretty blazing sub 4.4 forty at the Toronto regional to get added to the Main Combine

[gilthethrill]

Add receiver Shaquille Johnson to the list: former CIS rookie of the year with McGill; transferred to Western and didn't do much there; but ran a pretty blazing sub 4.4 forty at the Toronto regional to get added to the Main Combine

I see the combine results on CFL.ca, but they don't list how big the players are.

[doubleblue]

I see the combine results on CFL.ca, but they don't list how big the players are.

This is the size listed for the WR's. One can always figure the heights are rounded off to next highest number. (eg 6'1 1/2 becomes 6'2) But there is a lot of size to this group. Smith and Brescacin aren't coming to the Combine.

Tevaun Smith 6'2 200 Iowa
Llevi Noel 6'3 210 Toronto
Juwan Brescacin 6'4 220 N. Illinois
Brian Jones 6'4 230 Acadia
Doug Corby 6'2 190 Queens
Brett Blaszko 6'4 220 Calgary
Felix Faubert 6'0 215 Laval
George Johnson 6'3 190 Western
MiKe Jones 6'1 190 Southern
Joshua Stanford 6'1 200 Kansas
Shaq Johnson 6'0 185 Western
James Kett 6'5 215 Western

[ArgoGabe22]

Brescacin is hoping to get a look as a potential NFL TE. Not sure how that'll work out.

[OV Argo]

Brescacin is hoping to get a look as a potential NFL TE. Not sure how that'll work out.


Is he listed as a TE prospect on some NFL draft sites? - he's nowhere to be found anywhere near the top for NFL receiver rankings; neither is CFL #1 prospect Tevaun Smith for that matter. None of the Canadian NCAA guys up this CFL draft are highly rated NFL draft prospects it seems - which is good for the CFL. A couple of CIS players - Onyemata and Vaillancourt - have moved up into some NFL draft rankings for their positions; seen Vaillancourt in the top 20 for guards on one site.

As far as players measurements/size - the CFL used to publish a master list of all their Combine test results, with height & weight (reach, hand size too) included; they have not done so the past few years? The listings of size for prospects might be off a little to a lot. Combine measurements would verify that data down to exact numbers; the CIS East-West game has a Combine and they publish all those results, including exact weights and heights - so a number of CFL Combine guys were on that list from last spring.

[doubleblue]

Only six RB/FB's at the combine and they are all a good size as well, with Mercer Timmis being one of the smaller ones at a listed 6'1 220.

Nathan O'Halloran 6'1 225 Windsor
Don Tabor 6'0 230 St. Francis
Devon Stewart 5'11 245 McGill
Declan Cross 5'11 230 McMaster
Wayne Moore 6'0 220 McMaster

I can see Barker picking one of these guys in the mid rounds to back up Dupuis, after losing Robinson and Gillanders.

[doubleblue]

I have noticed there are no QB's invited to the combine this year. Could it be the Argos will supply their two young guys in Kilgore and Fajardo to throw for the one on ones. I believe that happened a few years ago when Harris and Collaros had the honours. I think it would add to the interest if the CFL would bring in a few of the top CFL QB's to do the throwing.
Ricky Ray or Henry Burris might not want to crank up the arm this early, but some of the younger guys like Mitchell, Reilly, Collaros and Harris might agree to help out, for a small fee.

[OV Argo]

Only six RB/FB's at the combine and they are all a good size as well, with Mercer Timmis being one of the smaller ones at a listed 6'1 220.

Nathan O'Halloran 6'1 225 Windsor
Don Tabor 6'0 230 St. Francis
Devon Stewart 5'11 245 McGill
Declan Cross 5'11 230 McMaster
Wayne Moore 6'0 220 McMaster

I can see Barker picking one of these guys in the mid rounds to back up Dupuis, after losing Robinson and Gillanders.


Timmis is the only real tailback there (and weighed in at 205 at the CIS East-West Combine last spring), though Cross & Moore were regular backs who carried the ball for Mac, but they will be viewed as CFL fullback/H-back types only; Stewart was a DE for McGill; Tabor was a regular receiver for StFX. O'Hallorhan played as more of a true fullback for Windsor it seems - listed at fullback and very few carries, but caught a decent number of passes.

[OV Argo]

I have noticed there are no QB's invited to the combine this year. Could it be the Argos will supply their two young guys in Kilgore and Fajardo to throw for the one on ones. I believe that happened a few years ago when Harris and Collaros had the honours. I think it would add to the interest if the CFL would bring in a few of the top CFL QB's to do the throwing.
Ricky Ray or Henry Burris might not want to crank up the arm this early, but some of the younger guys like Mitchell, Reilly, Collaros and Harris might agree to help out, for a small fee.

NO QB prospects? - gee, what a gob shocker there; just stunning. ;o)

[KCargosfan]

I have noticed there are no QB's invited to the combine this year. Could it be the Argos will supply their two young guys in Kilgore and Fajardo to throw for the one on ones. I believe that happened a few years ago when Harris and Collaros had the honours. I think it would add to the interest if the CFL would bring in a few of the top CFL QB's to do the throwing.
Ricky Ray or Henry Burris might not want to crank up the arm this early, but some of the younger guys like Mitchell, Reilly, Collaros and Harris might agree to help out, for a small fee.

I doubt the teams would want their starter going through multiple throws in March and possibly risking injury, no matter how small the chance.

[OV Argo]

I doubt the teams would want their starter going through multiple throws in March and possibly risking injury, no matter how small the chance.

Any Argofans going to the drills at the Combine? - be nice to hear some reports. Wouldn't be surprised if it was Kilgore and Fajardo chucking the passes in the receiver drills. At least they could throw the ball 10+ yards down the field without serving up some wobbly, off-target ducks.

[gilthethrill]

Interesting comment regarding Joshua Stanford as per 3downnation:

Many scouts aren’t sure why receiver Josh Stanford even bothered to show up to the combine. He’s been a “train wreck” as one personnel man said since his arrival. A promising talent, Stanford’s gone from really intriguing to possibly off some teams’ draft boards because of his behavior so far.

[doubleblue]

Interesting comment regarding Joshua Stanford as per 3downnation:

Many scouts aren’t sure why receiver Josh Stanford even bothered to show up to the combine. He’s been a “train wreck” as one personnel man said since his arrival. A promising talent, Stanford’s gone from really intriguing to possibly off some teams’ draft boards because of his behavior so far.

He only did 8 reps on the bench, but most WR's have low numbers there. His 34" on the vertical jump is in the higher end. So we should see his 40 time and one on ones first before writing him off. Maybe his interviews didn't go well, but guys with his potential don't grow on trees. Jerome Messam was thought to be a head case coming out of Graceland and wasn't drafted, but he has had a decent career in the League even if he has bounced around from team to team. Somebody will give him a shot if he shows something here.

[Wobbler]

Yeah, but Messam was physically impressive, which is hard to ignore. Why take a chance on an average-looking average-performing receiver like Stanford if there's a whiff of "train wreck" about him?

[Gill The Thrill]

I see the combine results on CFL.ca, but they don't list how big the players are.

The magic of the Geoffrey Orridge run website.:ohno::o:shhhh::D

[OV Argo]

The magic of the Geoffrey Orridge run website.:ohno::o:shhhh::D


Actually - if you go to the CFL site and click on Combine Roster - it has a spread sheet type list of all the participants, with the results AND measurements - and I'm pretty sure these are actual heights & weights taken there and not just the size off whatever roster they were on in college ball. Some players are often a bit lighter than advertised (like DT Quinn Horton - listed at 315 on the SFU roster, but well under 300 on this CFL Combine list).

[Wobbler]

Yeah, the CFL.ca combine data pages are all fully populated now. My only complaint is that it didn't happen as quickly as I would have liked (i.e. close to real-time).

[gilthethrill]

I have noticed there are no QB's invited to the combine this year. Could it be the Argos will supply their two young guys in Kilgore and Fajardo to throw for the one on ones. I believe that happened a few years ago when Harris and Collaros had the honours. I think it would add to the interest if the CFL would bring in a few of the top CFL QB's to do the throwing.
Ricky Ray or Henry Burris might not want to crank up the arm this early, but some of the younger guys like Mitchell, Reilly, Collaros and Harris might agree to help out, for a small fee.

I believe Mac qb Asher Hastings and a kid from York (Munchak)? tossed the balls today.

[gilthethrill]

Actually - if you go to the CFL site and click on Combine Roster - it has a spread sheet type list of all the participants, with the results AND measurements - and I'm pretty sure these are actual heights & weights taken there and not just the size off whatever roster they were on in college ball. Some players are often a bit lighter than advertised (like DT Quinn Horton - listed at 315 on the SFU roster, but well under 300 on this CFL Combine list).

Thanks OV, I being of poor Admin skills, missed that! Another DT that showed well today was Rupert Butcher out of Western....his name alone should get him drafted.

[AngeloV]

Thanks OV, I being of poor Admin skills, missed that! Another DT that showed well today was Rupert Butcher out of Western....his name alone should get him drafted.

I wonder if Rupert Butcher is related to this guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3c2pzR-rLg

[Gill The Thrill]

I wonder if Rupert Butcher is related to this guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3c2pzR-rLg

I could see the Abdullah the Butcher reference from a mile away, but I did go to the link to confirm it....never a big wrastling fan, but there was high entertainment factor in the 80's, and man did they pack them in. I remember Saturday Night Live being pre-empted for late night wrestling specials shown nationally in the US back in the mid 80's. That's how big it got.

[gilthethrill]

I wonder if Rupert Butcher is related to this guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3c2pzR-rLg

I think you may have something there AV!

[AngeloV]

I could see the Abdullah the Butcher reference from a mile away, but I did go to the link to confirm it....never a big wrastling fan, but there was high entertainment factor in the 80's, and man did they pack them in. I remember Saturday Night Live being pre-empted for late night wrestling specials shown nationally in the US back in the mid 80's. That's how big it got.

It was big, but you have to remember, it didn't really pre-empt Saturday night live. Saturday night's main event was shown on a night when Saturday night live was not...well ...live. All it pre-empted was a re-run of Saturday Night Live, and if the re-runs got great ratings, that would never have happened.

[cfl-cis fan]

Timmis is the only real tailback there (and weighed in at 205 at the CIS East-West Combine last spring), though Cross & Moore were regular backs who carried the ball for Mac, but they will be viewed as CFL fullback/H-back types only; Stewart was a DE for McGill; Tabor was a regular receiver for StFX. O'Hallorhan played as more of a true fullback for Windsor it seems - listed at fullback and very few carries, but caught a decent number of passes.

most versatile in the group is CROSS does everything well, MOORE is a very good traditional RB, OHallothan can block and receive but can not run the ball, Tabor can receive but needs a lot of work at blocking, Stewart can do most but is a little stiff.

[doubleblue]

Stewart can do most but is a little stiff.

I can identify with Stewart. :)

[OV Argo]

most versatile in the group is CROSS does everything well, MOORE is a very good traditional RB, OHallothan can block and receive but can not run the ball, Tabor can receive but needs a lot of work at blocking, Stewart can do most but is a little stiff.

The fullback/H-back in the current CFL will get next to zero opportunity to carry the ball; they want a guy who can block well plus be able to catch some passes when need be. Of all those "RBs" listed at the Combine who might get a look at H-back none might really stand out for the job; but a guy like Faubert-Lussier from Laval who was at the Combine as a receiver, would probably have much more capability as an H-back: big & strong, blows away those other guys mentioned in terms of athletic test #s at the Combine, plus already has some proven receiver skills in college ball. Doubtful IMO he gets a real CFL look as an actual receiver, but maybe a very good H-back project; might be better than Dupuis, but not sure about that; and not worth a first few rounds pick for a very part-time position when there is already a capable guy like Dupuis in place, IMO.

[cfl-cis fan]

The fullback/H-back in the current CFL will get next to zero opportunity to carry the ball; they want a guy who can block well plus be able to catch some passes when need be. Of all those "RBs" listed at the Combine who might get a look at H-back none might really stand out for the job; but a guy like Faubert-Lussier from Laval who was at the Combine as a receiver, would probably have much more capability as an H-back: big & strong, blows away those other guys mentioned in terms of athletic test #s at the Combine, plus already has some proven receiver skills in college ball. Doubtful IMO he gets a real CFL look as an actual receiver, but maybe a very good H-back project; might be better than Dupuis, but not sure about that; and not worth a first few rounds pick for a very part-time position when there is already a capable guy like Dupuis in place, IMO.

Faubert-Lussier is a great player but have to say he is more of a receiver than an H-Back. CROSS is in my opinion a more complete player for that position, a great blocker.

[OV Argo]

Faubert-Lussier is a great player but have to say he is more of a receiver than an H-Back. CROSS is in my opinion a more complete player for that position, a great blocker.

I don't believe either really played H-back in CIS ball; Cross was a RB at Mac; Faubert-Lussier a receiver at Laval. And the latter blows away the former in testing #s from the Combine. Cross may well be the much better blocker though, and valued for that.

[cfl-cis fan]

I don't believe either really played H-back in CIS ball; Cross was a RB at Mac; Faubert-Lussier a receiver at Laval. And the latter blows away the former in testing #s from the Combine. Cross may well be the much better blocker though, and valued for that.

what did he blow away, the player was injured and did not participate!! stick to the facts. I think he also did play H-Back thought listed as a receiver. Not taking anything away from Faubert but they played different positions and I guess it is a matter what what the team is looking for.

[OV Argo]

what did he blow away, the player was injured and did not participate!! stick to the facts. I think he also did play H-Back thought listed as a receiver. Not taking anything away from Faubert but they played different positions and I guess it is a matter what what the team is looking for.


Oops yeah, sorry - Cross did not participate in the recent CFL Combine; BUT - both guys were tested at last year's CIS East West game Combine - and the facts there show Faubert-Lussier putting up better testing #s (some wayyyy better) at every single test (you should be able to Google those results if you want to see for yourself). I believe Cross would weigh a bit more if that could help as a blocking H-back, but in terms of better athleticism, there is little question IMO - and some scouts are big on those testing #s.

[jerrym]

Toronto-born Mike Jones is a prime CFL receiver prospect.


One of the fastest players in the upcoming draft, the Southern University graduate is an intriguing prospect.
“Growing up as a kid and my mom being a strength and conditioning coach, my discipline wasn’t the same as any of the other kids,” recalled Jones. “Any type of exercise you can think of I probably did as punishment.”
Jones moved all across the country growing up as his mother took on jobs at different schools while he continued perfecting his craft as a football player. After going to high school in Texas, Jones wound up at Southern University.
Jones, 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, put his talents on display at the CFL Combine this year, posting a 4.606 in the 40 and a 4.34 in the shuttle. All that’s left now is to wait an anticipation for one team to call his name on draft day.

http://www.cfl.ca/2016/04/16/prospect-profile-mike-jones/

[jerrym]

Mike Jones highlights video from Southern University career.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W2R7KJRZHo

[jerrym]

The following article Mike Jones came to the attention of the CFL as a National.


As a child spending summers in Toronto with his grandparents, Mike Jones never fully understood why his grandpa, (former top Canadian welterweight boxer) Clyde Gray, enjoyed putting him through box workouts. ...
Coming out of James Earl Rudder high school in Bryan, TX Jones earned a football and track scholarship to Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. After training with American sprint Olympians Wallace Spearmon and Muna Lee he became known for being fast – 10.4 seconds 100-metre type speed.“I wouldn’t say that’s world class, [Toronto-born and raised] Andre De Grasse has world class speed,” Jones says.
That blazing speed caught the attention of Canadian Football League scouts while Jones played four years of football at Southern.
“A CFL team told me their U.S. scout came to a couple of my games looking at me as a potential American to come up and play for them,” Jones says.
That interest prompted Jones’ dad to ask some of his old Michigan State football teammates about the CFL because his son has dual citizenship. Ron Selesky, a mutual friend and one-time U.S. scout for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, let them know that Jones could qualify for the CFL Draft, but he would need to register with the league.
“I called the CFL office in January and I told them about my situation,” Jones says. “They sent me the paperwork right away. I almost missed the deadline.”
An invite to the CFL Combine quickly followed.


http://3downnation.com/2016/03/10/up-and-coming-receiver-uses-grandfathers-boxing-past-for-inspiration/

[jerrym]

Tevaun Smith impressed at pro day at Iowa.


Tevaun Smith isn't allowing an impressive pro day performance to go to his head.The 23-year-old Toronto native raised eyebrows at Iowa's pro day last month with a 40-yard dash time of 4.33 seconds. Bypassed for the NFL combine in February, Smith's time would've left him tied for third in Indianapolis, just .02 seconds behind Georgia running back Keith Marshall. The six-foot-one, 205-pound Smith also registered a 38-inch vertical jump, 3.94-second shuttle and 6.56-second three-cone, bench-pressed 225 pounds 13 times and had a broad jump of 10 feet two inches. He would've finished second in the three-cone drill and third in the shuttle at the combine.
Smith's performance prompted Gil Brandt, the former Dallas Cowboys vice-president of player personnel now working as the NFL Media senior analyst, to write, "Smith had a great workout, and will be a drafted player."
But Smith is tempering his expectations for the April 28-30 draft. "I hope I can be drafted but at the end of the day everything happens for a reason," Smith said during a telephone interview. "I'm expecting to be a free agent and whatever happens after that happens. "That pro day was just another opportunity."
After being snubbed for the combine, Smith went into Iowa's pro day with something to prove. "I'd say, yeah, I did come in with a bit of a chip on my shoulder knowing there's all these other guys being looked at," he said. "I wanted to show I'm just as big as they are, just as good and if I'm not faster I'm either stronger or more explosive and right up there with the rest of them."
Smith was the second-leading receiver last season at Iowa (12-2) with 563 yards on 32 catches and three touchdowns. Smith was one of seven true freshmen to see action in 2012 and finished his college career with 102 receptions for 1,500 yards (14.7-yard average) and seven TDs.
Earlier this month, he received a coaches appreciation honour at Iowa's awards banquet and is projected as a fifth- to seventh-round selection in the NFL draft. He's also regarded as a blue-chip CFL prospect, standing first among the league's top-15 ranked players for the May 10 draft.
"I'm definitely keeping all my doors open and I know there's a Plan B out there for me," Smith said. "But I definitely want to make sure I do everything I can to make it to the NFL."

http://thechronicleherald.ca/sports/1354118-canadian-born-receiver-tevaun-smith-tempering-his-expectations-for-nfl-draft

[cfl-cis fan]

Oops yeah, sorry - Cross did not participate in the recent CFL Combine; BUT - both guys were tested at last year's CIS East West game Combine - and the facts there show Faubert-Lussier putting up better testing #s (some wayyyy better) at every single test (you should be able to Google those results if you want to see for yourself). I believe Cross would weigh a bit more if that could help as a blocking H-back, but in terms of better athleticism, there is little question IMO - and some scouts are big on those testing #s.

think the Argos should trade with Hamilton .....