THE CANADIAN PRESS
Many new stars have emerged during the 2015 Canadian Football League season. There is a strong crop of rookie talent across the CFL which makes it tough to get a list down to just 10, but that’s what we’ve done.
To qualify for the Most Outstanding Rookie Award a player cannot have played in a regular season game either in the NFL or CFL before the 2015 season.
Let’s get to my latest top-10 list of the best rookie performers through 14 weeks of the schedule.
Previous CFL Rookie Reports:
1) John Ojo, DB, Eskimos (Last Month: 3)
Edmonton’s rookie cover man has provided tight coverage and really helped shore up the wide-side corner position for the Eskimos. Ojo has been a key new piece to a defence that’s allowing a league-low 240 pass yards per game. His four interceptions are tied for the team lead and have also contributed to the Eskimos’ league-best 19 pick-offs.
2) Jeff Knox Jr., LB, Riders (Last Month: 5)
Knox sits second in the CFL with 82 tackles and he leads Saskatchewan by a large margin in that category as the next closest Rider is Tyron Brackenridge with 43 stops. Ever since Knox was installed as a starter he’s put forth consistently strong efforts.
3) Khalil Bass, LB, Bombers (Last Month: 4)
So far in 2015 Bass has managed to be around the football a lot, making at least three tackles in every game. He’s shown the ability to get to the quarterback with four sacks and play in coverage – No. 47’s 59-yard interception touchdown sealed a Banjo Bowl win for Winnipeg.
4) Derel Walker, REC, Eskimos (Last Month: Not Ranked)
What a mid-season revelation Walker has been for Edmonton. He has added another dynamic weapon to the Eskimos’ passing offence. Through seven games Walker ranks ninth on the CFL’s receiving list with 679 yards – 97 per game. It seems like a forgone conclusion that No. 87 will notch a 1,000-yard season and that could make him the favourite for Most Outstanding Rookie honours.
5) Terrence Tolliver, REC, Ticats (Last Month: 8)
Right behind Walker checking in at 10th spot on the receiving list with 673 yards is Tolliver. The rangy Hamilton pass target leads the team with six touchdowns and he’s made a team-high-tying 47 receptions. Tolliver ability to go up and get the football separates him from many other receivers.
6) Kyler Elsworth, LB, Alouettes (Last Month: Not Ranked)
Ever since stud linebacker Bear Woods went down with a torn pectoral muscle back in early July, Elsworth has proved his worth. He’s fit right in with Montreal’s physical defence and kept the Alouettes’ linebacking corps strong. To date Elsworth has produced 44 tackles, four sacks and one fumble recovery he returned for a touchdown.
7) Vidal Hazelton, REC, Argos (Last Month: 1)
Hazelton’s fall from grace in Toronto has sent him tumbling down our rookie rankings. In August he topped the list, but one too many undisciplined penalties has put Hazelton in Scott Milanovich’s doghouse and he was benched in Week 14 for a big East Division tilt with Ottawa – the Argos won 35-26. However, if Hazelton can clean up his act and get back out on the field he could rise again.
8) Shakir Bell, RB, Eskimos (Last Month: 2)
A sore ankle has been bothering Bell of late and it caused him to sit out Edmonton’s Week 14 victory against B.C. The Eskimos’ rookie runner still leads the team in rushing and his 446 yards on the ground put him fifth in the league, but he needs to get healthy.
9) Rakeem Cato, QB, Alouettes (Last Month: 6)
Cato has fallen from one to six and now he checks in at nine on the rookie list. After the August rookie ranks were released Cato suffered a hip pointer injury in Hamilton and then a family tragedy struck so he went back to Florida to be with his loved ones – he played in a game for the first time last Sunday in Saskatchewan.
Montreal got three of its five wins with Cato at quarterback and he’s the best option currently on the roster to start down the stretch. If he can regain his early season magic, Cato could vault right back up the ranks.
10) Ray Holley, RB, Ticats (Last Month: Not Ranked)
Holley has been effective rushing, receiving and blocking for Hamilton. He’s a smart running back who can thrive in many offensive situations. Holley’s gained 309 yards on the ground, 267 through the air and scored two touchdowns.
Top Canadian Rookie
Nic Demski, RB, REC, RET, Riders
Saskatchewan has used its 2015 first-round pick in a variety of ways. Demski has carried the ball six times for 30 yards, made 11 receptions for 148 yards with a long gain of 72 and the Riders have used his 4.5-second 40-yard speed in the return game. The Winnipeg, Man. native has 479 combined return yards – including a 60-yard punt return touchdown – that leads the Riders and ranks eighth in the CFL among all returners. Demski appears to have the capabilities of being a ratio-breaking talent with the football in his hands.
