By Josh Bell-Webster,
CFL.ca
CFL Evaluation Camp is an important time when scouts from all eight clubs get a closer look at up-and-coming Canadian talent hoping to land a spot in the CFL.
A trio of notable players attended the camp back in March, and eight months later, are playing in the biggest game of their lives.
Rick Foley and Jason Pottinger of the B.C. Lions and Etienne Boulay of the Montreal Alouettes will all play a role in whether their respective team walks away with the Grey Cup this evening.
Boulay is the best of this trio, having been nominated for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie award. He played a significant role on special teams and as a backup linebacker, where he made two interceptions and recovered a fumble. He also had 13 tackles to go along with his 21 special teams tackles, one shy of the team lead. Boulay occasionally returned kicks as well.
“You always dream about playing in the Grey Cup, but did I think it would happen so quickly? Probably not,” admitted Boulay. “But I’m really happy about the way things are going.”
The Alouettes are no doubt thrilled, not only because Boulay is a quality non-import talent, but the added bonus that he is also French Canadian. Boulay played his college football in the U.S. at New Hampshire.
“It’s probably the best situation for me because I’m from Montreal, so I get to finally play in front of my family and friends after having been gone for six years,” said Boulay. “It’s a dream come true.”
Pottinger remained in Canada during his university days, playing at McMaster in Hamilton. He didn’t participate at E-Camp because of injury, but went anyway to talk with coaches and team representatives. B.C. thought so highly of him that the Lions drafted Pottinger second overall in the CFL Canadian Draft.
“At the Evaluation Camp, all you’re thinking about is just getting drafted,” said Pottinger. “But as soon as I got drafted by B.C. I knew that I had a damn good chance at going to the Grey Cup, and here we are.”
Pottinger was second on the team in special teams tackles with 19 to go along with his six defensive tackles.
Foley took a different route to the CFL. After being drafted by B.C. in the first round, he was invited to Baltimore Ravens camp. He joined the Lions two weeks into the season and earned nine special teams tackles and two defensive tackles.
“You don’t really think about making the Grey Cup whey you’re a young guy coming into the start of the season,” said Foley. “We’re just trying to make a name for ourselves, trying to get on the roster.”
All three of these individuals were able to make the cut. Now they look to get a sip from the Grey Cup.
