Numbers Game: Who will dominate the CFL Scouting Combine?

Marshall Ferguson

CFL.ca

@TSN_Marsh

The best way to define the worth of combine numbers is a bit confusing.

In the most simplified sense, numbers don’t matter until they’re great, or poor. If a tall, broad-shouldered defensive lineman with average game tape walks into the bench press Saturday evening in Winnipeg and puts up less than 10 bench press reps, something is wrong. At the same time if that player puts up 20 reps and excels at the speed and quickness drills (shuttle, three cone, 40-yard dash) that player will naturally force teams to take a closer look in the month between combine and draft.

With all of this in mind, it is important to remember teams are looking for good people and excellent football players, not just testers. With that being said, oh what a wonderful thing it is for a prospect to combine great game film with an excellent combine and an engaging interview.

Here are a couple of names for each test to watch for this weekend:

Bench Press

The bench press is typically the marquee event for linemen, and a pair of nationals could post a big number if they have been putting in the work on campus over the last four seasons.

Mark Korte of Alberta represented U SPORTS in the East-West Shrine Bowl and should be able to pair exceptional athleticism for his size with a solid bench number. Elsewhere, from the Canada West conference, Burlington, Ont. native and Calgary Dinos standout offensive lineman Darius Ciraco could help himself with a big number when the cameras turn on Saturday night.

In the lower weight classes, Western Mustangs running back David Mackie and Laval Rouge et Or’s Etienne Moisan should impress both scouts and fans in attendance.

Vertical Jump

The vertical jump should be won by a receiver or defensive back, with the odds-on favourite being former Calgary Dinos pass-catcher Rashaun Simonise or UBC Thunderbirds defensive back Will Maxwell.

Both guys have great size and consistently show their hops on film while attacking jump balls. I’d be shocked if Simonise doesn’t stand out athletically across most tests, but his vert number could open more than a few Winnipeg eyes.

Broad Jump

While getting ‘up’ is big for the slighter combine bodies, getting ‘out’ in the broad jump is a key metric for heavier bodies. Carleton Ravens defensive lineman Kene Onyeka could help himself with a big number to pair with his impressive career accolades.

One of my favourite positions to see a great broad jump from is the linebackers, as the standing long jump can commonly be viewed as a sign of a player’s ability to cover ground. A key component of the linebacker skill-set. At 6-foot-4, Michigan State linebacker and special teams ace Sean Harrington showed the ability to cover ground with the NCAA’s best. I wonder if his broad jump number will translate that.

10-Yard

Okay, it’s not the sexiest number out there, but it might be the most important for defensive lineman.

Fans attending Saturday morning’s speed session at the RBC Convention Centre in downtown Winnipeg might not realize there are lasers setup at the 10- and 20-yard marks of the 40-yard dash but scouts know, and they pay attention.

For defensive linemen like Nelkas Kwemo, a quick start in the 40 will be critical on Saturday (Queen’s University)

Defensive linemen and offensive linemen are the only positions that start with their hand on the ground similar to the 40, so those first 10 yards are most applicable to them.

Quickness is king in the 10-yard measurement, which tends to favour ‘twitchy’ defensive ends who are used to bending around short corners the millisecond the ball is snapped. For that reason I like Bo Banner of Central Washington and Queen’s linebacker Nelkas Kwemo. Kwemo’s long strides and tall frame could post a solid number if he can burst out of the blocks and show the type of explosion which made him a first-team All-Canadian.

40 yard

This. Will. Be. Fun.

Over the last 10 years, the average 40-yard dash time of receivers and defensive backs has dropped significantly as we continue to place more importance on speed’s advantage when applied to a big Canadian field.

For my money, here are the names to look for in each positional group in the 40:

QB: Regina Rams Noah Picton
RB: Laval Rouge et Or Christopher Amoah
REC: Calgary Dinos alum Rashaun Simonise
OL: Alberta Golden Bears Mark Korte
DL: Carleton Ravens Kene Onyeka
LB: Calgary Dinos Boston Rowe
DB: Laurier Golden Hawks Godfrey Onyeka

Highly-regarded draft prospect Rashaun Simonise should be a factor across the board (David Moll)

Shuttle

The shuttle is all about your ability to plant a foot and get back to where you came from. Perfect for a running back or defensive back to be able to improve their draft stock.

In the running backs group Western Mustangs Alex Taylor and Laval Rouge et Or ball carrier Christopher Amoah have both shown exceptional quickness and cutting ability in-game, which should translate nicely to the short shuttle.

Three-Cone

The big brother of the short shuttle is the three-cone drill. Utilizing many of the same skills means the three-cone also favours some of the smaller bodies with the ability to turn the corner in a flash.

Defensive backs Royce Metchie of Guelph and Jackson Bennett of Ottawa should post good times in both quickness drills and if combined with positive interviews and a couple one-on-one rep victories, they could see their draft stock improve come May.

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