By Michael Murillo,
CFL.ca
NCAA football fans don’t have to lose track of their favourite players when they leave their competitive teams and conferences. Each week, College Connection looks at a pair of former college stars who are making waves today in the CFL. Their teams will meet in an upcoming match up, televised in the U.S.
This week: Edmonton Eskimos at Saskatchewan Roughriders, August 18, available on CBC.
Edmonton Eskimos: A.J. Gass, LB, Fresno State Bulldogs. Gass was a standout at Fresno State, finishing his senior season with 123 tackles and nine sacks. He was an All-Conference first-teamer in 1996 and 1997 at the linebacker position.
But for the past nine years, this Bulldog has been associated with Eskimo football. Signed back in May of 1998, he has appeared in every season despite suffering some serious injuries. After undergoing knee surgery in 2002, his return to form has coincided with a renewed success for Eskimo football. Not only did they win their most recent Western Division championship in 2003, but in 2003 and 2005 Edmonton finished the season as Grey Cup winners. Gass also saves something special for the biggest games, forcing a fumble in the 2003 Grey Cup and recovering one in the 2005 game. He had three tackles in last week’s victory over Hamilton.
Saskatchewan Roughriders: Jermese Jones, OT, University of Virginia Cavaliers. Jones made an immediate impact at Virginia, becoming one of just seven freshmen to play for the team in 1997. The following year, he was provided depth to a successful offensive line that led the ACC in rushing yards per game, rushing yards per play and rushing touchdowns. The Cavaliers also had the conference’s leading rusher that year (NFL star Thomas Jones). After being red-shirted, Jones started every game of his junior year, and the team again had the conference’s leading rusher (Antwoine Womack). Jones started every game the next year as well, earning ACC All-Star honours as a senior.
In the CFL, Jones played briefly with B.C. before helping running back Charles Roberts achieve impressive numbers with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2004 and 2005. Now, in Saskatchewan, Jones is opening holes for Wes Cates and quarterback Kerry Joseph, both of whom are top 10 rushers in the CFL so far this season.
If you’d like to see a specific school or player featured in College Connection, contact Michael Murillo at vivamurillo@hotmail.com.
(The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily of the Canadian Football League)
