CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — University of Manitoba defensive tackle Eddie Steele enters the 2010 Canadian Draft ranked No. 9 by the CFL’s amateur scouting bureau.
Steele had a strong showing at the CFL Evaluation Camp presented by Reebok in March. He was dominant in one-on-one drills using his strength and tenacity to bull his way past the offensive linemen. The 6-foot, 273-pound defender also had a strong showing on the bench press putting up the second best mark at E-Camp with 33 repetitions at 225 lbs.
“Although Eddie is one of the strongest players we have ever had in this program it is his athleticism and in particular his lateral quickness and speed of pursuit that makes him stand out,” said Bisons head coach Brian Dobie. “Eddie has an outstanding motor and is relentless on every play.”
Steele was named a 2009 Canada West conference all-star and a 2009 Canadian Interuniversity Sport second team all-Canadian. However, he first made a name for himself at the 2009 East West Bowl, a showcase of the top draft eligible CIS football players.
“Eddie is a very intelligent football player with a great understanding of the game, which, I believe, will translate to a quick and natural transition to a new CFL system,” added Dobie.
A Vanier Cup champion in 2007 with the Bisons, Steele comes from football linage. His father, Leroy Steele, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger Cats in 1984.
“It’s always been kinda in the blood,” said Steele. “I needed good grades to play football initially, so I finally got the good grades and my dad let me play my first year when I was in grade eight. It was really him who kind of pushed me into it.”
With draft a week away, Steele hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps.
TSN will broadcast the first two rounds of this year’s Canadian Draft on May 2nd, from noon until 2 p.m. ET.
