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: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Montreal Alouettes, August 25, available on CBC.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Tay Cody, LB, Florida State Seminoles. Cody was a big part of the Seminoles’ defence during his tenure (1997-2000, red-shirted in 1996), starting 42 out of 45 games. He was the only freshman starter on the team in 1997, earning ACC Rookie of the Week and team MVP honours after a 12-tackle performance against Georgia Tech. As a sophomore he started every game and was again named the team’s MVP for the game against Georgia Tech. In his junior year he earned an All-ACC honourable mention and was part of the team’s National Championship run that culminated in a victory over Virginia Tech in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. As a senior he was a first-team All-ACC selection and his career mark of 12 interceptions ranked sixth in school history.
After being drafted by the San Diego Chargers and spending a couple of seasons in the NFL, Cody spent time in Edmonton and Hamilton in 2005. But in 2006 he really made his mark in Hamilton, leading the Ticats in interceptions (three) and earning the team’s nomination for Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player. So far this year, Cody has 16 tackles to his credit.
Montreal Alouettes: Kerry Watkins, WR, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Watkins had a stellar career at Georgia Tech, recording notable stats every year. As a red-shirted freshman he was the team’s third-leading receiver and chipped in more than 100 yards rushing for good measure. As a sophomore he led the yellow Jackets in yards-per-catch and was second in touchdowns, and caught a last-second score that helped the team upset fourth-ranked Clemson. As a junior he again led Georgia Tech in yards-per-catch but was their touchdown receptions leader as well. He did the same as a senior, earning All-ACC second-team honours that year and setting a team record for receptions in a season (71). He left Georgia Tech as the team’s second-leading receiver in school history.
After attending the New England Patriots’ training camp, Watkins signed with Montreal in 2004. In 2005 he finished third in the CFL in receiving yards and was named a CFLPA All-Star, and last year he led the Als in receiving touchdowns. He has 20 receptions for 280 yards and a touchdown so far in 2007.
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)
