Johany Jutras/CFL
Inevitably stocks rise and fall based on what happens when CFL scouts, general managers and coaches get an up-close look at many of the top draft eligible prospects.
Now that the dust has settled from a full gauntlet of CFL Combines across the country, let’s examine which players took advantage of the opportunity to perform in front of CFL talent evaluators and conversely those that may have disappointed.
The 2015 CFL Draft class has some high-end skill position players on offence. Lemar Durant proved over the course of the National CFL combine that he is the receiver with the highest potential eligible for the draft. Durant’s combination of size and speed is rare. There were other athletes that pushed their stock up and also young men that saw it fall on the offensive side of the football.
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Running Backs
Dillon Campbell, RB, Laurier
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 194 pounds
Stock: Up
The 2014 CIS rushing champion came and proved that he’s strong (22 bench reps) and fast (4.57 40) enough to be a playmaker with the ball in his hands, if given a legitimate chance at the CFL level.
Jefferson Court, RB, Utah State
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 238 pounds
Stock: Down
Many scouts were curious to see Court, but he did not put up the test results you would expect from a player trained at an NCAA school.
William Langlais, RB, Sherbrooke
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 226 pounds
Stock: Up
Langlais earned his way from Montreal to the National CFL Combine and continued to impress in Toronto. The fullback prospect ran quickly for his size and he looked good in pass protection and catching the football.
Shaquille Murray-Lawrence, RB, UNLV
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 192 pounds
Stock: Up
Despite an injured groin that was wrapped up, Murray-Lawrence still ran a 4.41 40-yard time and participated in all the football drills. He proved he has the ability to be explosive as a running back in the pros.
Receivers
Nic Demski, REC, Manitoba
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 204 pounds
Stock: Up
Demski proved why he’s been tabbed the most ‘pro-ready’ receiver at the combine. He ran fast and was quick in the agility testing events. In the one-on-ones he displayed strong route running ability while getting in and out of breaks smoothly without losing speed.
Phillip Enchill, REC, Montreal
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 200 pounds
Stock: Down
A disappointing 4.77 40-yard time – slowest among all receivers at the National Combine – caused Enchill’s stock to drop. And he didn’t stand out when facing the top cover men in the country.
Jake Harty, REC, Calgary
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 207 pounds
Stock: Up
Harty’s athleticism was a question mark, but he quelled those concerns with better than expected testing results across the board. His ability to shake open consistently was impressive, too.
Andrew Johnson, REC, Fort Lewis
Height: 6’
Weight: 195 pounds
Stock: Down
Johnson had solid results in the athletic tests, but he dropped some balls and didn’t create separation consistently. More was expected from him coming into the event.
Addison Richards, REC, Regina
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 212 pounds
Stock: Down
Richards wasn’t able to keep up with Durant and Demski at the combine and now he’s clearly behind those two top receiving prospects, if he didn’t fall even further down the board. And he reportedly didn’t interview very well.
Melvin Abankwah, REC, Saint Mary’s
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 186 pounds
Stock: Up
Each combine it seems like one athlete rises to the occasion and puts on a spectacular show when the pads are strapped up, Abankwah was that player this year. The lightning quick playmaker was open on every route he ran. It was an electric performance from Abankwah.
