Henderson State Athletics
Numbers are just numbers.
Until they aren’t.
With the CFL world gathering in Regina this week, much of the discussion has been around legends of the game such as Warren Moon and off-season free agent movers and shakers donning their new threads for the first time. Starting now, it’s all about the future.
When players selected to the national combine arrived in Regina Thursday they were welcomed with open arms and a boat load of adidas goodies. Today it’s time to forget the pageantry and perform for the chance to earn a job in the CFL.
Here are my players to watch for each test happening in the CFL combine:
Bench Press
The receiver record at any CFL combine since 2006 is 26 reps of 225 pounds by Lemar Durant out of Simon Fraser in 2015. I think Carleton Ravens receiver Nate Behar will give that a run. Behar loves pressure packed moments and feeds off adrenaline like few players I’ve seen or played against.
Carleton receiver Nate Behar could threaten Lemar Durant’s mark of 26 reps on the bench press (Carleton University)
He says his goal is somewhere in the upper twenties when I spoke to him Thursday. I asked how high in the twenties and with a wink he responded, “you’ll have to wait and see.”
As for the linemen it would be hard to imagine Montreal defensive tackle Junior Luke or Bethune-Cookman alumni Dariusz Bladek not putting up some really nice numbers.
Vertical
Don’t hold your breath on an offensive lineman dominating this one but a pair of defensive lineman could post a number worth noting. St. FX X-men defensive end, originally from Nigeria, Kay Okafor is a monster of a man with great athleticism and explosion on film while Laurier Golden Hawk Kwaku Boateng is as springy as any defensive lineman I’ve seen in the recent history of the OUA.
As for the true leapers and floaters look for Eastern regional combine standout Malcolm Carter to possibly surpass the 40-inch bounce he posted two weeks ago.
Kwaku Boateng’s explosiveness makes him one to keep an eye on Friday morning (Kha Vo/Laurier Athletics)
Broad Jump
While playing for a small school named Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Dondre Wright of Ajax, Ont. covered more ground than any defensive back I have watched in the 2017 draft class. I expect him to confirm that with a huge broad jump today.
In person he is lengthier than expected. When I met Dondre in person Friday I told him he reminded me of Wilfrid Laurier Alums Chris Ackie and Felix Odum, to which Dondre let me know he actually went on a recruiting trip to Laurier four years ago. Both Ackie and Odum posted exceptional broad jumps.
The thought of those three all covering ground in the same defence four years ago sends a shiver up any offensive coordinator and quarterback’s spine.
10 Yard
Okay, I know it’s not as sexy as the 40 yard dash. That doesn’t mean the 10 yard split during the forty doesn’t count for something. Especially for defensive lineman and linebackers.
While his time might not compete with ‘the skinnys’ watch for Manitoba Bisons defensive lineman Evan Foster to get out of the blocks quickly.
There’s a lot at stake for Bisons defensive end Evan Foster early in the 40 (Tara Miller/Bison Sports)
40 yard
This is going to be an absolute track meet between the defensive backs. Tunde Adeleke from the Carleton Ravens can run past anyone he wants on film; Robert Woodson of the Calgary Dinos says he expects to run somewhere in the 4.5s to 4.7s range; and Henderson State’s Dondre Wright should accelerate better than anyone from twenty to forty yards.
All those performances could be overshadowed by the end of the day by a former track star from Welland, Ont. in Guelph Gryphons running back Johnny Augustine. Johnny says if everything goes well he should run a “scary good” number.
Henderson State DB Dondre Wright could definitely be a major factor in the 40 (Henderson State Athletics)
Shuttle
Ontario regional standout Jordan Hoover, a defensive back from the Waterloo Warriors should make a name for himself today with a great shuttle time. He posted a 4.03 time at the regional level which was the fourth fastest shuttle time ever in a CFL combine by a defensive back.
Could he break four seconds at the national combine with all the cameras, fans and excitement in the building? I can’t wait to find out.
After making it through the regional combine, look for Jordan Hoover to continue to impress (University of Waterloo)
3-Cone
Local boy Mitchell Picton is fired up to be performing for CFL scouts at home. On Thursday he joked about the ‘long’ drive his brother gave him to the combine. Mitchell has high expectations for his shuttle test but believes he could really make hay in the 3-cone. I don’t blame him. the guy is incredibly lanky at 6-foot-3 and has the quicks to turn and go on film.
