CFL.ca Staff
— With files from Knox Bardeen,Fox Sports
TORONTO — With the 2015 CFL Draft quickly approaching, CFL coaches and scouts will be tuning in to the Senior Bowl, not just for international players, but to keep tabs on the highest rated Canadian running back prospect, Tyler Varga.
The senior back from Yale will have his chance to represent Canada when the North Team takes on the South Team in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday, January 24.
The annual game features 110 of North America’s best senior collegiate football players. Both the North and South team get the professional football treatment as they are coached by entire coaching staffs from two NFL teams. Some notable players to play in the game in the past include: Jimmy Graham, Colin Kaepernick, Clay Matthews and Russell Wilson.
In a week long event that features several practices littered with scouts critiquing every move, Varga left a positive impression. It isn’t a big surprise that the 5’10” 227-pound back received an invite to the prestigious game. During his senior season, Varga rushed for over 1,400 yards and scored a total of 26 touchdowns (a school record) while averaging 6.1 yards per carry to help the Yale Bulldogs finish with a 5-2 record in the Ivy League.
When the invitees went through their measurables in a weigh-in, he scored well showing off his physique to match his Ivy League IQ.
Canadian RB Tyler Varga (@TyVarga) checks in at 5’10”, 227 Ibs at @seniorbowl weigh-ins. Many impressed by Varga’s chiseled physique. #NFL
— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) January 20, 2015
Tyler varga is shredded. He didn’t miss any workout days
— Mike Loyko (@NEPD_Loyko) January 20, 2015
Varga, who will battle four other running backs on the North squad for playing time is out to prove that he can do more than just run the ball. With a crowded back field, he’s trying to show he can also block. Knox Bardeen of Fox Sports saw this first hand and had positive reviews for the Canadian.
During a pass protection drill, Varga’s first attempt did not go so well.
After seeing this, Bardeen became a bit nervous for the Canadian.
“My first thought was this Varga kid is in danger of being labeled a tweener (too big to be an effective runner, too small to handle big blocking assignments).”
The resilient Canuck did not let the first attempt down his morale, if anything it gave him an extra spark.
“Something must of clicked after that loss,” said Bardeen.“Because Varga turned into a beast after that.”
Varga continued to display he could do more than just run. He consistently demonstrated he can handle taking on larger defenders if it’s for pass protection situation or if it’s opening up a hole for a different running back.
It did not go unnoticed.
“When the team went full eleven-on-eleven, he opened a hole for a touchdown run,” said Bardeen.
“It was an incredible block that absolutely made the touchdown happen.”
This Tyler Varga kid from Yale is fun to watch. Cleared the way for a Jeremy Langford TD run earlier, now just drove Kikaha back.
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurke_SI) January 21, 2015
The fourth ranked prospect in the winter edition of the CFL Scouting Bureau will have his chance to shine in the 2015 Senior Bowl on Saturday, January 24, at 4 p.m. ET. Watch it live on NFL Network.
