This year’s list of eligible players totals 911.
By Perry Lefko,
CFL.ca
It can best be described as the Canadian dream.
On May 2, the Canadian Football League will conduct its annual Canadian draft of Canadian-born university and college players on both sides of the border.
This year’s list of eligible players totals 911. To qualify, a player need only have one year of university/college experience or be 25 years of age. Only 48 players will be chosen, based on six rounds of eight selections apiece. It is a true lottery, although some players stand a far greater chance of being selected by having played more than a year, thus demonstrating their talent over a prolonged period and/or having been affiliated with a strong football program that allowed them to develop and showcase their skills.
The eligible players hail from small cities and large cities in provinces throughout Canada, but could have grown up in the U.S. But one thing is for sure: They will have been scouted by the eight CFL teams searching for somebody who will make their team that much better. It is said that the teams that annually do the best are the ones with the strongest Canadian talent, and it begins with the players plucked from the draft.
Some of the drafted players will be ready to step into the lineup as starters, but the majority will begin on special teams, learning what it means to be a professional on and off the field. Some will be relegated to the practice roster, which offers minimal pay and no guarantee of playing in a game. It is more of a developmental/apprentice role.
But before any of that even happens, the players eligible for this year’s draft will wait for May 2 when their lives could be changed.
“Just growing up as a kid and watching the CFL, I never thought I’d be here (in this position) 10 years ago,” said University of Saskatchewan offensive lineman Jordan Rempel, a project first or second-rounder. “Once you start playing football, the closer you get – as you progress from high school and college and stuff – it just becomes that much more of a reality or something that is possible. It’s definitely a huge deal. Just watching football as a kid and (seeing) these (CFL) players, you idolize them. And to actually be in a situation to have a chance to have a career in the CFL you can’t really put it into words. It’s exciting. It’s something that I’m looking forward to.”
Tad Crawford, a safety at Columbia University, said he is counting down the days until the draft.
“Everything kind of hangs in the balance of this one day,” he said. “All my friends are excited. We’re going to have a little party (in residence). I know it’s not a big deal (to some people), but we’re going to have a little party, I’m going to set up my phone on the table, and when the phone goes off it will get real quiet and I’ll answer it and find out where I’m going to play and we’ll go crazy. I’m definitely looking forward to it. I’m excited about it for sure.”
Chris Bauman, a highly-rated receiving prospect from the University of Regina, said he is somewhat anxious in anticipation of the draft.
“The nerves aren’t too bad yet,” he said. “I’m sure coming closer to the day they’ll get worse. I’m just soaking it all in right now. It’ll be a sigh relief (to be drafted), just knowing I’ve done everything I could up to that point and now the next steps begins.”
Justin Phillips, a linebacker with Wilfrid Laurier, will be at his parent’s home having a draft day party for family and relatives.
“I’m pretty excited, but I think my family is more excited than I am,” Phillips said. “We’re all pretty excited to see how things happen and where I end up. Me and my older brother (Kyle, a former Laurier player) have always played on the same team. We’re a football family. My younger brother is playing high school football, so my parents are pretty supportive. It’s kind of a family accomplishment more than it is individual (to be selected). It’s been a dream of all of ours, so this whole thing will be celebrated as a family.”
