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. During the playoffs, College Connection looks at former college stars in each game who are making waves in the CFL. Their teams will meet in an upcoming playoff contest, televised in the U.S.
East Semi-Final: Montreal Alouettes at Winnipeg Blue Bombers, November 11, available on CBC.
Montreal Alouettes: Jarrett Payton, RB, University of Miami Hurricanes. Payton is familiar with football success, and not just because he’s the son of NFL-legend Walter Payton. Jarrett’s time at UM (1999-2003, red-shirted in 2000) coincided with a national championship (2001) and he was a contributor while playing behind future superstars such as Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee. He also played with current-49er Frank Gore in 2003, but Payton led the team in rushing that year with 985 yards and seven rushing scores. He also had three 100-yard games that year.
After college, Payton signed with the Tennessee Titans, and was allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe. He ended up tied for the league lead with seven touchdowns, was named all-NFLE and helped lead the team to the World Bowl XIII title. He played with the Titans in 2005 before being released and signed with the Als earlier this year. Payton has 852 rushing yards and nine total TDs in 2007 (leading the team in both categories) and will get his first taste of CFL playoff action when Montreal visits Winnipeg on Sunday.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers: Kyries Hebert, RB, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. Hebert originally came to UL Lafayette as a wide receiver, but switched to free safety in 1999 after sitting out his freshman year. That move was a great one for both Hebert and the Ragin’ Cajuns: He started every game that season, led the team in tackles and was named first-team All-Louisiana as well as Newcomer of the Year. The following season Hebert again led the team in tackles and was named to the second All-Louisiana squad. In his final season (2001) he finished his career by leading the team in tackles for the third straight season and earning second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honours. In his three playing seasons, Hebert never missed a game.
In the CFL, Hebert had two productive seasons with Ottawa before signing with Winnipeg last year. In 2007 he’s one of the league’s top special teams tacklers and is also busy on defence, registering 52 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions and two fumbles.
Hebert will look for his first playoff victory in a CFL uniform when the Blue Bombers host the Alouettes this weekend.
West Semi-Final: Calgary Stampeders at Saskatchewan Roughriders, November 11, available on CBC. Both players have a history with their playoff opponent this week.
Calgary Stampeders: Henry Burris, QB, Temple Owls. Burris had a notable career at Temple (1993-1997) and had a significant impact on the team’s passing game. After starting four games as a freshman, Burris started 11 games the following season and made the Owls the top passing team in the Big East. He earned second-team All-Big East honours that year, and went on to set 20 school passing records over his collegiate career. His pass attempts (1136) and completions (558) also set Big East records, and he left Temple as the Big East’s second all-time passer with 7,495 yards.
Burris’ professional career has been notable, especially considering this week’s game. He actually spent his first few years in Calgary before moving to Saskatchewan in 2000, where he threw for more than 4,600 yards and 30 touchdowns. After a stint in the NFL, playing for the Packers and Bears, Burris played in NFL Europe before returning to the Roughriders. His 2004 team just fell short of the Grey Cup, and he went to Calgary the following season. Since then he’s enjoyed great success, throwing for more than 4,000 yards in each of the last three seasons. His 34 touchdowns passes is a career high, eclipsing the personal best set in Saskatchewan back in 2000.
This week he faces his former team in the playoffs, with the winner matching up with B.C. in the West Final.
Saskatchewan Roughriders: Wes Cates, RB, California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans. Cates was a star in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, breaking several records during his tenure at Cal U (1998-2001). He never missed a game in his entire collegiate career, and set an all-time PSAC record with 5,647 total yards. He also set Cal U records with 937 carries and 63 rushing scores. Cates led the conference in rushing for three of his four seasons, and earned All-American honours as a junior and senior. He was nominated for the Harlon Hill Award (Best Division II Player) as both a sophomore and senior, and finished his career as the PSAC-West’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2001.
Cates’ first team in the CFL is his opponent this week: Calgary. In 2006 he saw very limited action for the Stamps, but averaged more than seven yards-per-carry and scored three touchdowns on just 46 touches (25 rushing, 21 receiving). In 2007, Cates is the Roughriders’ leading rusher with 866 yards on 153 carries. He also added 452 yards on 45 receptions. While an injury has sidelined him over the past few weeks, Cates is practicing again and hopes to suit up against his former team in this playoff match-up.
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)
