U Sports Players in the 2025 CFL Draft

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I'm a big fan of Western Running Back Keanu Yazbeck. I think he has acceleration to make it as a running back in the CFL if given the chance. Apparently when Keanu was in High School he was also a great LB/DE. Here's a highlight video from youtube analyzed by an American Analyst. Since he will start on special teams, this makes him an even better draft pick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zc3u8np-FQ&t=204s

Love to see the Argos draft Yazbeck - explosive RB. I'd use a 2nd or 3rd round pick if that's what it takes; but given the GOB dismissal of U Sports top tailback talent, he might be available later in the draft.

The Argos have what ? - zero Canadian RB talent at this point ?

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Main combine list:

https://www.cfl.ca/combine/2025-cfl-combine/

Invitational combine list:

https://www.cfl.ca/combine/2025-cfl-inv ... l-combine/

I thought WANADI, Edouard 21 RB Western University would get an invite. Great he's getting a second chance.

Is Wanadi the guy who got kicked-out at Western for something and went on to play Junior (or was it Senior) ball?

Pretty decent RB crop this draft it seems. Didn't realize Bishop's O. Ho-Sang would be draftable; big back with very good production last season.

Argos must (IMO) draft one of these RBs and won't have to use a top pick to do so.

Yazbeck would be my first choice (ahead of the higher rated I. Knight from UBC)

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Main combine list:

https://www.cfl.ca/combine/2025-cfl-combine/

Invitational combine list:

https://www.cfl.ca/combine/2025-cfl-inv ... l-combine/

I thought WANADI, Edouard 21 RB Western University would get an invite. Great he's getting a second chance.

Is Wanadi the guy who got kicked-out at Western for something and went on to play Junior (or was it Senior) ball?

Pretty decent RB crop this draft it seems. Didn't realize Bishop's O. Ho-Sang would be draftable; big back with very good production last season.

Argos must (IMO) draft one of these RBs and won't have to use a top pick to do so.

Yazbeck would be my first choice (ahead of the higher rated I. Knight from UBC)

Wanadi was the guy who got kicked out of Western and suspended for 4 years for steroid use. He last played for an Alberta Seniors team in 2023. Yazbeck would be my favorite too, for his running and special teams potential. Interesting to see who is faster Yazbeck or Wanadi. Here's a crazy prediction, i think the RB with fastest 40 time may be Luka Stoikos, Toronto. He's a 60m sprinter.

I thought Stoikos might have a big year last season at U of T, but does not seem like he was even their #1 back.

If he does show good speed and other good athletic testing #s he could shoot up the CFL draft board and ahead of some far more productive running backs from U Sports ball.

Both Yazbeck and Wanadi will likely have to run real good 40 times to get any CFL "scouts" respect; I get the feeling there is some group think dismissal of Western RB talent over the years - feeling they are just products of a very run heavy system and usually strong O-line. Similar to the group think dismissal of pretty well all U Sports top QB talent. And if Senecal & Desjardins are going to the main Combine, surely that means they would jump at the chance at a real CFL TC try-out if drafted ? They could always continue their education / degree down the road if they got a CFL shot. My guess is they will be CFL write-offs though and maybe both return to face each other in the Q for their 5th years there ?

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I think you can tell whether an U Sports Running Back will make it as a pro. It usually comes down to whether he has good acceleration going through the line. Windsors Daryl Stephenson was a great U Sports running back, but had no acceleration, and never made it in the pros. I think Western running back Keon Edwards is like Stephenson. Good U Sports running back, but no acceleration. He just picks his way through the line looking for blockers or can break tackles from U Sports players but not professional players. I think Yazbeck and Wanadi have pro potential.

Have to disagree on your notions about U Sports RBs in the CFL.

I'm stuck with going with evidence from the football field. And 3 current examples are: S, Thomas-Erlington, J. Antwi & J. Augustine - and none of those guys were dominant or rushing leaders in U Sports ball; and none of them showed blazing speed or "acceleration" in Combine testing - not even close to. But all 3 have shown they are very capable CFL RBs when given the opportunity to play RB, plus they can play STs. CFL deep thinkers believe RB/tailback is mostly for Americans, and top U Sports RB talent is dismissed as starting RB calibre, but a few can make rosters as depth RBs who can contribute on special teams as well.

Antwi - when given significant playing time for an injured Stanback in Montreal - produced the 1st and 3rd longest runs from scrimmage by all RBs in the league that year and had an average of well over 5 per. Erlington has been very productive as both a starter and change of pace back with a superior career yds/carry average - his only 2 touches in last season's East Final produced big gains. Meanwhile, an ultra mediocre back like James Butler will get handed CFL starting time chance after chance despite his ultra poor career sub 5 yds/carry average. All about favored passport, IMO.

And sure speed & acceleration can be real keys for a RB; but so are things like balance, vision & power. Some backs who are not real fast just have other attributes that make them outstanding ball carriers. And like any other position, the player needs real reps in TC, ex. games and then regular season to show his stuff. But when the opportunity is just not given and these U Sports RBs are viewed as just back-ups or ST guys, don't expect to see much with little chance to impress.

We shall see if the likes of Yazbeck or I. Knight from this year's draft crop of RBs get real CFL shots; or if Matthew Peterson - brought back by the Ticats after they drafted him last year - gets serious consideration there.

I wouldn't hold out much hope for any of them to get a serious CFL shot to play tailback; and it's the same reason outstanding U Sports QBs do not get real chances to compete in CFL TC - though again the RBs can make it based on ST play. Blatant, biased favortism from Americans first (at a bunch of positions) thinking GOBs is always at play in the current CFL. Don't expect that to change anytime soon.