Congratulations to the following players, who advanced from the Edmonton regional combine to this weekend’s CFL Combine in Toronto:

Kahlen Branning (DB, Regina): His testing speed carried over to his on-field performance.

Dexter Janke (DB, Okanagan Sun): He was likely the most unanimous selection to go through to Toronto, as he tested extremely well. He wasn’t great during one-on-ones, but his aggressiveness and penchant for physical play were evident.

Auston Johnson (LB, South Dakota): He tested fairly well and demonstrated both high skill and football IQ during the on-field session.

Quinn Lawlor (OL, Brigham Young): He showed some potential and scouts would like to see more of him, as he has very little game film.

Others who caught my eye included:

Timi Agbaje (DL, Saskatchewan): He’s very athletic and his quickness was apparent during one-on-ones.

Nehemie Kankolongo (LB, Wyoming): He didn’t play a lot in college, but clearly has all the physical tools to be an effective special teamer. He definitely put himself on the draft radar.

Bobby Pospischil (REC, Simon Fraser): Perhaps my favourite “underdog” prospect, he tested well and got open during one-on-ones, but had a rare bad day catching the football. With his smaller stature already working against him in the scouts’ eyes, he needed to be almost perfect.

Connor Ralph (LB, Alberta): The Golden Bears' tackling machine moves more fluidly than you might initially assume.

The next stop on the combine tour is Montreal. It has been mentioned repeatedly that this is the deepest draft class in at least seven years, and probably even longer. As a result, the level of competition at the regional combines is heightened. Here are a few of the prospects I’ll be following most closely on Wednesday in Montreal:

Jean-Samuel Blanc (DE, 6’1”, 245, Montreal): In 2012, he tied the CIS single season sack record (12.5) set in the same season by current Calgary Stampeder Ben D’Aguilar. While his numbers have been down over the last two years, the Carabins still had the country’s best pass defence in 2014 and the pressure supplied by the three-time RSEQ All-Star is an important factor in that.

Sebastien Blanchard (REC, 5’10”, 180, Sherbrooke): His size, or lack thereof, is a concern, but no draft-eligible CIS receiver has caught more passes over the last four seasons than his 160. He was named a Second Team All-Canadian in 2014 after leading the nation with 59 receptions. That marked his third-straight season with 40-plus catches, making him the only CIS receiver in the Class of 2015 to have even reached 30 receptions in each of the last three years.

Maxime Boutin (RB, 5’9”, 190, Laval): This speedy running back has averaged 7.3 yards per carry over the course of his four-year CIS career. However, what has always stood out about him is the way he has delivered in the biggest games. In his last four games on the national stage (2012 and 2013 Uteck Bowl and 2012 and 2013 Vanier Cup), he has carried the ball a total of 87 times for 819 yards. That’s an average of 9.4 yards per carry against the best teams that other conferences had to offer.

Anthony Coady (DB, 5’11”, 195, Montreal): He capped his third-consecutive RSEQ All-Star season with two interceptions and Defensive MVP honours in the 2014 Vanier Cup game. The natural free safety has 11 picks in his Carabins career.

Mikhail Davidson (REC, 5’9”, 180, Montreal): Simply put, if Davidson (112 receptions, 1973 yards, 17.6 yards/catch, 11 touchdowns over the last three seasons and 4.82 second 40-yard dash and 18 bench press reps at 2014 East West Bowl testing) were the same size as his 6’1”, 200 lbs. Carabins teammate Philip Enchill (47 receptions, 679 yards, 14.4 yards/catch, three touchdowns over the last three seasons and 4.95 40-yard dash and 10 bench press reps at 2014 East West Bowl testing), he’d already have a ticket to join his fellow UdeM receiver at the main combine.

Marvin Golding (LB, 6’0”, 225, Saint Mary’s), Mathieu Masseau (LB, 6’0”, 225, Laval), and Drew Morris (LB, 6’0”, 225, Acadia): This draft class possesses good depth at linebacker and six LB spots for the main combine have already been filled. This threesome, all of whom tested well at the 2014 East West Bowl, will be going head to head attempting to prove that they should be included among the top prospects at their position.

Erik Krebs (OL, 6’6”, 325, Bishop’s): The 2015 draft class includes a number of highly regarded offensive linemen, but there’s a void in terms of “second tier” O-Line prospects. The big-bodied, long-armed Krebs has at least some of the tools to move up on some teams’ draft boards.

Jacob Leblanc (DT, 6’2”, 302, Mount Allison): This two-time All-Canadian has proven himself as one of the top defensive tackles in CIS football. In order to get to the next level, he’ll need to demonstrate that he can overcome perceived shortcomings in terms of quickness and arm length.

Kayin Marchand-Wright (DB, 6’0”, 200, Saint Mary’s): The Montreal native was the AUS Rookie of the Year in 2011 and an All-Canadian in 2012 under then-Huskies defensive coordinator Devin Murphy. He hasn’t achieved that status since Murphy’s departure for Ottawa, but clearly still has the potential to be a very good DB.

Matthew Norzil (REC, 6’2”, 190, Laval): If not for a serious knee injury suffered at the start of the 2013 season, he would, without a doubt, be considered along with Lemar Durant, Nic Demski, and Addison Richards as the top receiver prospects in this class. In 2012, he was the leading receiver for the Vanier Cup champion Rouge et Or, but has been limited to just one game in each of the last two seasons. He has continued to rehabilitate his knee and, if he’s anywhere near 100% in terms of speed and explosiveness, he’s definitely worthy of an opportunity to compete in Toronto.

Jeremi Roch (QB, 6’2”, 210, Sherbrooke): Dating back to his time at perennial CÉGEP power Vanier College, he has been viewed as one of Canada’s great quarterback prospects. He was the All-Star QB of the 2008 Football Canada Cup, the starter for Team Canada in the 2009 World Junior Championships and for Team World against Team USA in 2010. As a four-year starter with the Vert et Or, he has passed for over 2000 yards every season and thrown for twice as many TDs as interceptions. With South Alabama’s Brandon Bridge taking a pass on the main CFL Combine, there are currently only two QBs on that roster, so there’s definitely an opportunity to advance.

Jesse St. James (DE, 6’1”, 250, Acadia): After recording a total of two-and-a-half sacks through his first two years with the Axemen, he exploded with 10 and eight respectively in 2013 and 2014, earning First Team All-Canadian honours both years. Among draft-eligible CIS players, only Ottawa’s Ettore Lattanzio has as many sacks over that time frame.

Fode Yansane (DB, 6’2”, 205, Montreal): He would’ve been a lock to earn a direct invitation to the main CFL Combine had he played CIS football in 2014. He was a First Team All-Canadian cornerback in 2012 and a unanimous choice RSEQ All-Star at halfback in 2013 before playing in the Quebec Junior Football League last fall.