With the 2015 CFL Combine (Mar. 27-29) and CFL Draft (TBA) approaching on the offseason calendar, TSN.ca profiles some of the prospects who could be taken this spring.

When you read the bio on 6'7" UNLV offensive lineman Brett Boyko, it might surprise you to learn that the Saskatoon native sometimes played quarterback in high school - and received encouragement from a CFL Hall of Fame quarterback while doing so.

"I met him in Saskatoon when he was just in high school", TSN CFL analyst Matt Dunigan mentioned this week. "I was involved with Glen Suitor and his football camp and established a relationship with (his mother) Pat and Brett. I encouraged him to continue to play QB because he had all the tools, and if he did not continue to develop those skills, the position would pass him by."

"I like Matt a lot, he's a great guy," Boyko told TSN from Florida. "I had a blast meeting him. He was actually one of the reasons why I started playing quarterback in high school. He's a great dude."

After playing two years on the defensive line, Boyko played quarterback for his varsity high school team in his last year. It was an experience he remembers fondly.

"It was awesome playing quarterback and having the ball in my hands and having that much control," Boyko said.

"I told him he would always be 6'7" and large so he could use that to his advantage in another position if QB did not work out," added Dunigan.

QB would not be in Boyko's future but he did make the most of his size. After high school he received offers to join Washington State and UNLV. He chose the Runnin' Rebels who wanted him to be an offensive lineman on the left side. It took a bit of time to adjust to the new position.

"When I came in first year I could barely pass set. I struggled to go backwards and remain strong," Boyko explained. "(I) didn't really understand the concepts of defence. Had some trouble learning the playbook, just understanding what an offensive lineman really looks for and how they kind of manage the game for themselves."

With time, Boyko developed into one of the best offensive linemen in the Mountain West Conference. He was named a conference all-star at left tackle a couple of times and is currently the No. 1 ranked CFL prospect in the 2015 CFL Draft.

"As I progressed I kept learning more, you watched film and you had the opportunity to break down yourself as well as other people," Boyko said. "I always enjoyed watching NFL tackles and seeing what they do and how they play and (I) try and mimic what they do on the field. There's still lots I need to work on but I'm continuing to do so."

While it wasn't the quarterback position, playing left tackle has its share of responsibility that appealed to Boyko.

"As an athlete and a competitor you want to have some responsibility. Being a quarterback you have the responsibility to organize everything so playing left tackle I enjoyed the aspect of protecting the quarterback's blind side," Boyko mentioned. "I put a lot pressure on myself to get the job done and I enjoyed that. You know you're going against some of the best pass rushers on every team that you play and it was a fun competition."

Growing up in Saskatchewan, Boyko's boyhood dream was to play for the Roughriders. Being ranked No. 1 by the CFL's scouting bureau is something he respects and makes him proud.  
 
"There was a time I didn't know what the NFL was," Boyko explained. "I was a CFL fan obviously and because of that there's kind of an extra excitement because that was the initial goal. Before I found out what the NFL was, the initial goal was to play in the CFL and to be ranked like that is an honour."

With his success at UNLV, Boyko has the NFL's attention. An elbow injury in his final game this season kept him out of the recent NCAA Shrine Game but he has accepted an invitation to the NFL Combine where he hopes to showcase himself to scouts. Some publications have Boyko being selected in the later rounds of the NFL Draft or receiving a free agent invite. Even though he's not likely to end up in the CFL anytime soon, Boyko has a fan in Matt Dunigan.

"I have kept in touch with the family over the years and have watched very closely the development of Brett as a football player at UNLV and as a young man," Dunigan told us. "(He's a) tremendous kid with a ton of talent and desire to utilize his skills to play the game of football.

"He's persevered through plenty of adversity while playing for the Rebels and proved to be a warrior, showing the tough Saskatoon and Saskatchewan mentality all the while. I'm proud to know Brett and his wonderful family."

Next week we will profile No. 3 ranked CFL Draft prospect Daryl Waud, a defensive tackle from Western University.