Johany Jutras/CFL
Every year there are prospects at the CFL National Combine who produce eye-popping athletic feats.
Testing results don’t necessarily correlate with on-field success at the pro level. That said, player personnel men require a standard amount of athleticism in prospects at all positions. And scouts want to see how players compete and perform with the glow of the bright lights on them. Those are some reasons why the bench press, vertical and broad jumps, 40-yard dash, three-cone and shuttle numbers matter.
Who could be the top tester at their position? Which young man will pump out the most reps on the bench press? What player might blaze the fastest 40? We’re handicapping potential “testing monsters”.
Top all-around by position:
Dinos star running back Mercer Timmis has speed to burn (David Moll)
Offensive Line
Michael Couture, Burnaby, B.C., Simon Fraser
Smooth, athletic and strong.
Defensive Line
Denzel Philip, Mississauga, Ont., Eastern New Mexico
CFL personnel men refer to Philip as a “workout warrior”. He’s a specimen.
Running Backs
Mercer Timmis, Burlington, Ont., Calgary
From an athletic standpoint Timmis will do well – he’s got a strong lower half.
Linebackers
Terrell Davis, Victoria, B.C., UBC
A converted running back means Davis has movement skills and burst.
Receivers
Josh Stanford, Mississauga, Ont., Kansas
In terms of strength and speed, Stanford could be the best tester in a talented receiver group.
Defensive Backs
Anthony Thompson, Montreal, Que., Southern Illinois
Thompson will definitely help himself through testing. He’s bound to have strong numbers in the explosive events.
Bench Press (225 lbs.)
Laval’s Jason Lauzon-Seguin will be one to watch in the bench press (Martin Bouchard/Laval)
1) Philippe Gagon, L’Ancienne-Lorette, Que., OL, Laval
Recorded the most reps at the 2015 CIS East West Bowl with 35.
2) Charles Vaillancourt, Coaticook, Que., OL, Laval
Recorded 27 reps at the 2015 CIS East West Bowl.
3) Jason Lauzon-Seguin, Pointe-Claire, Que., OL, Laval
Recorded 25 reps at the 2015 CIS East West Bowl.
4) Denzel Philip, Mississauga, Ont., DL, Eastern New Mexico
Scouts say he’s very powerful, which should equal a lot of reps.
5) Roman Grozman, Tel-Aviv, Israel, OL, Concordia
Recorded 23 reps at the 2015 CIS East West Bowl – lots of natural strength.
Fastest 40-yard time
Varsity Blues star Llevi Noel is one of this weekend’s more intriguing prospects (Martin Bazyl)
1) Mike Jones, Toronto, Ont., REC, Southern
A CFL scout on Jones’ speed: “One of the fastest Canadians I’ve ever seen. That kid can absolutely fly.”
2) Josh Stanford, Mississauga, Ont, REC, Kansas
Been clocked under 4.40-seconds while training for the combine.
3) Llevi Noel, Toronto, Ont., REC, Windsor AKO Fratmen
Noel ran a 4.49-second time at the 2015 CIS East West Bowl.
4) Doug Corby, Burlington, Ont., REC, Queen’s
Corby ran a 4.55-second time at the 2015 CIS East West Bowl.
5) Mercer Timmis, Burlington, Ont., RB, Calgary
Scouts are curious to get a time on Timmis who didn’t run at the 2015 CIS East West Bowl. While training for the combine he’s been consistently timing in the 4.50-second range.
Regional Add
Shaquille Johnson, Brampton, Ont., REC, London Beefeaters
Johnson ripped off a 4.39-sceond laser 40-yard time at the Toronto Regional.
