Justin Dunk
CFL.ca
With the 2011 CFL draft and the 9th annual Canadian Interuniversity Sport East West Bowl now behind us, it is time to take an early look at some of the top CIS players who will be eligible for the 2012 Canadian Draft.
Let’s take a sneak peak at 10 of the top prospects that will be plying their trades on Canadian soil during the 2011 CIS football season.
10) Austin Anderson – 5’10, 180 lbs – McGill University – K/P
All CFL fans know the importance of a strong kicking game and McGill’s Austin Anderson certainly has the bloodlines to become a professional kicker.
Anderson is the son of former NFL Pro Bowl kicker, Gary Anderson. Anderson’s father Gary has a home in Canmore, Alta. where Austin grew up, which grants him non-import status for the 2012 draft.
Anderson burst onto the scene as a Freshman with a perfect 5-for-5 performance before suffering a season-ending injury.
He was named a conference all-star as a sophomore, but his biggest game came in his Junior year against Concordia. Anderson connected on 6-of-8 field goals – three kicks were from over 40 yards – including a career high 48-yard field goal.
9) Sanchez Deschamps – 6’1, 195 lbs – Concordia University – REC
Deschamps had a solid 2010 CIS campaign catching 22 balls for a total of 300 yards, but he really burst onto the CFL radar with a four-catch, 92-yard performance – including a beautiful 43-yard reception in double coverage – at the 2011 East West Bowl.
“I was pretty impressed with what he did catching the ball,” said one CFL scout. “He was productive in the game, made plays and was pretty good after the catch.”
Deschamps will be looking to carry the momentum of a strong East West Bowl into the 2011 CIS season and show scouts he has the ability to make plays when he is the main focus of defensive secondary schemes week in and week out.
8) Bryce McCall – 6’0, 200 lbs – University of Saskatchewan – DB
McCall’s ability to be physical is well known.
“Man he can knock the crap out of ya. I don’t think I’ve seen a free safety that is as good as him with regards to knocking the crap out of a receiver, his timing is impeccable,” said one CFL player personnel man.
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| Scouts like Western Mustang Nathan Riva for his speed. He posted a 4.53 hand-held time at the East West Bowl. |
But the 2010 first team CIS All-Canadian at safety needs to show he has the speed and overall athleticism to compete at the pro level. One CFL scout was hoping to see McCall improve upon his speed and coverage skills during the 2011 CIS season to go with his nose for contact.
7) Nathan Riva – 5’11, 191 lbs – University of Western Ontario – RB
“Just like his speed,” exclaimed one CFL scout while another scout said, “He runs well enough that he could do some things on special teams.”
Riva laid down a 4.53 hand timed 40-yard dash during the testing portion of the CIS East West Bowl, but his speed has never been a concern for CFL scouts.
“He had injury problems and we’ll see how that is because anytime you draft somebody you want a kid that’s durable. You don’t want to be paying him to be sitting on the sideline, so that’s a concern, but boy, real nice athlete.”
It sounds simple for Riva – just stay healthy – but it has been difficult for him to do so. During the past couple of CIS football seasons Riva has battled through a few different injuries, but when healthy he is very productive with the football in his hands.
6) Matt Norman – 6’4, 329 lbs – University of Western Ontario – OL
Norman has been a stalwart on the Mustangs’ O-line ever since he set foot on campus in London, Ont. His consistency and mean streak make him easily noticeable up front for Western.
“He’s got a good frame, tough guy, I like him,” one CFL scout said.
Norman was named a first team CIS All-Canadian after the 2010 CIS football season and he will be looking to prove to scouts – with his game film – that he can play guard or centre at the next level.
5) Simon Charbonneau-Campeau – 6’4, 195 lbs – Université de Sherbrooke – REC
Scouts are interested to get a good long look at Campeau who missed the 2011 CIS East West Bowl, but he certainly garnered attention after leading the CIS in receiving yards with 1,121 in 2010.
Charbonneau-Campeau garnered first team CIS All-Canadian honours in 2010. In addition, he was named the most outstanding player in the Quebec conference and was the RSEQ’s nominee for the Hec Crighton Trophy.
Charbonneau-Campeau will be looking to prove that his 2010 campaign was no fluke. He needs to continue to show CFL scouts that he has the natural ball skills, speed and quickness to play at the CFL level.
4) Kirby Fabien – 6’6, 295 lbs – University of Calgary – OL
Fabien is a long, lean offensive tackle who did not receive much attention in 2010 because he was playing alongside three 2011 CFL draft picks on the Dino offensive line.
“He stood out last year on film,” said a CFL player evaluator. “He’s got great size and he’s pretty athletic.”
The Calgary native will have much more attention from CFL scouts during his 2011 campaign.
3) Frederick Plesius – 6’1, 245 lbs – Université Laval – LB
Plesius originally signed an NCAA Division I scholarship with the Baylor Bears, but opted to transfer back home to play the Rouge et Or after redshirting his freshman season at Baylor in 2008.
“He kind of reminds me of Henoc Muamba, a thick kid that can move really well. He read and reacted and flew to the ball,” said a longtime CFL player evaluator.
“He’s definitely a MAC [middle linebacker], if he plays linebacker in the CFL. He’s good on special teams, we always see him as one of the first players down on kick coverage,” another CFL scout said.
Plesius, a 2010 first team CIS All-Canadian, was the 2010 Quebec conference defensive player of the year and the RSEQ’s nominee for the Presidents’ Trophy as the outstanding defensive player in the CIS. Plesius lost out to Henoc Muamba, the 2011 first overall pick in the CFL’s Canadian Draft, for national honours.
2) Shamawd Chambers – 6’3, 210 lbs – Wilfrid Laurier University – REC
Chambers is certainly a physical specimen and he is an exciting player to watch when he gets the football in his hands – evidenced by a five-reception, 84-yard, one touchdown performance in the 2011 East West Bowl.
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| “He’s got … the size and his testing numbers are through the roof,” said a CFL scout about Shamawd Chambers. |
“He was probably the best pro prospect [at the CIS East West Bowl]. He ran a 4.50 [hand timed 40], he was explosive, he made a nice play in the game – a long catch. He can run and he’s a good size kid and it looked like his hands were pretty reliable,” said a CFL scout.
“He’s got everything you’re really looking for, the size and his testing numbers are through the roof. He’s going to have to learn to play inside more and do some things on special teams,” said another CFL player evaluator.
One CFL front office employee said that Chambers may even have NFL potential.
1) Ben Heenan – 6’5, 295 lbs – University of Saskatchewan – OL
Heenan has been on the radar for CFL scouts for some time now.
“He’s got man-strength already. He’s looked the part for a while,” said a CFL scout.
28 reps of 225 pounds during the testing portion of the East West Bowl certainly showed Heenan’s strength and he is viewed as one of the most athletic interior linemen in the 2012 draft class.
“Heenan is so smooth, a solid pro prospect. Good strength, good punch, fluid, good pass pro and beautiful feet,” one CFL player personnel man said.
Heenan was a first team CIS All-Canadian selection in 2010 and will be looking to double up on that feat with a strong senior season with the Huskies.
This list should serve as a starting point to help you keep an eye on the CFL stars of the future during the 2011 CIS season – many of them will be playing and developing right in our own backyard.
