– The 50 prospects arrived on Friday, and designated players met with teams for interviews later that evening. Each team was allowed to select 20 players to take part in 15-minute interviews. Asked to reflect upon their interviews today, some players were satisfied with their meetings while others lamented that they let their nerves get the better of them. Most questions revolved around each player’s football acumen, however some teams delved into the their personal lives with queries ranging from maritial status to their upbringing.
– The Tiger-Cats are well represented as the entire coaching staff was in attendance today in addition to general manager Bob O’Billovich and a few others from the Black and Gold’s football operations.
– Also spotted at the Intercontinental Hotel in Toronto were several former Ticats employees who now represent other CFL clubs including Montreal’s Marcel Desjardins, B.C.’s Craig Smith, Edmonton’s Jeff Bleamer, Toronto’s Ed O’Neil, Saskatchewan’s Kavis Reed and Jamie Baressi as well as Joe Paopao, who is working with the host committee.
– Three Hamilton natives are taking part in the E-Camp: Ottawa linebacker Michael Cornell (attended Cathedral High School), Guelph defensive back Brad Crawford (Barton) and McMaster defensive end James Edwards (St. Mary’s).
– Ticats offensive lineman J.P. Bekasiak’s Evaluation Camp record of 33 reps of 225 pounds will remain at the top of the record book. No prospect would come close to equaling Bekasiak’s mark, with five players tying for the lead with 23 reps:
- Darcy Brown / WR / Saint Mary’s
- Chad Cossette / DL / Windsor
- Etienne Legare / DL / Laval
- Peter Quinney / RB / Wilfrid Laurier
- Dee Sterling / DL / Queen’s
– Bishop’s running back Jamall Lee set a new E-Camp record with an incredible 44″ vertical jump. How impressive was Lee’s leap? The day’s second best vertical was six-and-a-half inches shorter (by Regina defensive lineman Stan Van Sichem – 37.5″). Lee’s jump eclipsed the old mark (42″) set by Ticats draft pick Samuel Giguere in 2008.
– On top of his explosive leaping ability, Jamall Lee also possesses the longest reach among prospects, with the talented running back’s limbs measuring in at 35.375”
– The longest broad jump of the day was by Simon Fraser receiver Milos Zivkovic, whose 10′ 4.25″ mark fell short of last year’s leap of 10′ 5.5″ by Ticats safety Dylan Barker.
– Montreal defensive lineman Jonathan Pierre-Etienne’s 11.375” hands are the largest ever recorded in E-Camp history.
– While Saturday’s activities were limited to modified meeting rooms at the Intercontinental for medicals, measurements, flexibility tests, the bench press as well as vertical and standing jump testing, the action will escalate quickly on Sunday when the prospects hit the turf at the University of Toronto’s Varsity Centre for the 40-yard dash, short shuttles, and arguably the weekend’s most important phase – individual and team drills.
Click here to check out CFL.ca’s full list of results from Saturday.
Click here to watch Ticats TV’s Evaluation Camp Drills Overview
