Offensive linemen top the list of the Top 15 prospects for the 2011 CFL Canadian Draft released Thursday by the league's Scouting Bureau.
The projected No. 1 prospect is Philip Blake, a 6'3”, 315 pound centre from Toronto who plays at Baylor University, where he has also played offensive tackle.
Blake is one of three offensive linemen among the top five prospects, including University of Connecticut centre Moe Petrus, from St. Laurent, Quebec, and Rice University tackle Scott Mitchell, who hails from Ottawa.
The prospects' list also includes current San Diego Charger and former University of Western Ontario Mustang Vaughn Martin, a London, Ontario native who declared early for the 2010 NFL Draft. (A player is only eligible for the CFL Canadian Draft in the year he was scheduled to graduate).
"There is a lot of excitement among our teams about the prospects available to them to in 2011," said Kevin McDonald, Director of Football Operations and Development for the Canadian Football League. “Of course, these are just projections. Our scouts will be watching how players progress this season, and how they fare at our Evaluation Camp. What is certain is that a new crop of talented young players is bound for our league."
The CFL's Evaluation Camp for Canadian prospects is set for March 4-6, 2011 in Toronto. The CFL Canadian Draft will follow later next spring.
Also of note:
- The University of Calgary Dinos, Vanier Cup finalists in 2009, have three players in the top 15: slotback Anthony Parker, wide receiver Nathan Coehoorn, and running back Matt Walter, all from Alberta.
- The 2009 Vanier Cup Champion Queen's Gaels ' Matthew O'Donnell, a Kingston native and another offensive lineman, may be the most physically imposing player on the list, at 6'10” and 329 pounds.
List of the top 15 prospects:
1. Philip Blake, LO, Baylor – 6'3”, 315 lbs.
2. Scott Mitchell, LO, Rice – 6'4”, 295 lbs.
3. Anthony Parker, DI, Calgary – 6'2”, 215 lbs.
4. Moe Petrus, LO, Connecticut – 6'2”, 292 lbs.
5. Renaldo Sagesse, LD, Michigan – 6'4”, 289 lbs.
6. Matthew O'Donnell, LO, Queen's – 6'10”, 329 lbs.
7. Nathan Coehoorn, RÉ, Calgary – 6'2”, 220 lbs.
8. Vaughn Martin, LD, Western Ontario – 6'4”, 330 lbs.
9. Tyler Holmes, LO, Tulsa – 6'4”, 305 lbs.
10. Hugh O'Neill, B, Alberta – 6'2”, 185 lbs.
11. Henoc Muamba, SEC, St. Francis Xavier – 6'0”, 230 lbs.
12. Gregory Alexandre, LD, Montréal – 6'2”, 285 lbs.
13. Michael Carter, DD, Maryland – 5'10”, 175 lbs.
14. Matt Walter, D, Calgary – 5'10, 210 lbs.
15. Pascal Baillargeon, LO, Laval – 6'5”, 300 lbs.
