March 16, 2019

Ferguson: NCAA prospects to know at the CFL Combine

Oklahoma State Athletics

I was fortunate to be in attendance at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame on Thursday to watch Oakville, Ont. native and current Ohio Bobcats quarterback Nathan Rourke receive the Jon Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian in NCAA football.

Over the last five years the number of Canadians deciding to chase their college football dreams south of the border has risen significantly to 139 in 2018-19.

That increase in national talent heading south means there are more and more NCAA helmets featured at the CFL National Combine presented by New Era, where Canada’s top talent assembles to showcase their skills for scouts and executives ahead of May’s 2019 CFL Draft.

Here are the NCAA names you’ll want to know from March 22 to 24 while watching the CFL Combine:

MATTHEW BOATENG
DB | Fresno State

Photo: Fresno State

A true speedster, Boateng (no relation to Edmonton Eskimos defensive end Kwaku) claims to be ready to break the CFL Combine 40-yard dash record. If he does, and if he shows the ability to cover in one-on-ones, Boateng might get his wish of being the non-traditional Canadian defensive back not assigned by default to free safety.

BRAYDEN LENIUS-DICKEY
REC | New Mexico

Formerly of the Washington Huskies, Lenius-Dickey qualified as a graduate transfer for the 2019 season and chose to spend his fifth year of college ball with the Lobos of New Mexico. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound North Vancouver prospect transitioned to tight end after joining New Mexico, which makes him an interesting evaluation in Toronto. He will be in direct competition with McInnis of Arkansas State for the title of smoothest big man in the national combine receiver ranks.

ZACHARY WILKINSON
OL | Northern Colorado

Photo: Northern Colorado

A three-year starter for the Bears, Wilkinson is a 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive lineman. He played immediately in his true freshman season (2014) as a blocking tight end before transitioning to right guard where he received conference honourable mention in 2018.

SHANE RICHARDS
OL | Oklahoma State

Photo: Oklahoma State Athletics

He’s a monster. Does that equal combine, draft and career success? No. But he’s a monster.

At Oklahoma State’s pro day this week, Richards measured up at nearly 6-foot-6 and 332 pounds. He laid down 22 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and had a 27-inch vertical at well over 300 pounds! I’m looking forward to seeing his technical skills and approach in the always fun pass rush one-on-ones in Toronto.

KYLE SAXELID
OL | UNLV

Photo: UNLV

Saxelid started every game at left tackle for UNLV in 2015 and 2016, helping UNLV’s rushing attack to 241.5 yards per game, which ranked 16th in the nation and was the program’s highest average since 1979.

Saxelid measures up at 6-foot-8 and 305 pounds and is currently under contract in the Indoor Football League.

NATE ANDERSON
DL | Missouri

Photo: University of Missouri

The long and winding road of Nate Anderson has finally arrived at the CFL Combine. Originally from Toronto, Anderson will try to take advantage of some home cooking mixed with a natural knack for finding the football while at New Mexico Military Institute and the University of Missouri to impress scouts.

NOAH ROBINSON
LB | Missouri

Born in Barrie, Ont., Robinson grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts and attained a degree from Memphis before transferring with two years of eligibility to Missouri. A core special teams player for the Tigers over the last two years when healthy, Robinson could be an immediate contributor to a CFL team this summer.