April 12, 2018

Hunter takes top spot in final Central Scouting Bureau rankings

Bowling Green State University

TORONTO — The Canadian Football League Scouting Bureau revealed its third and final edition of the top-20 ranked prospects eligible for the 2018 CFL Draft on Thursday.

The first edition was released in September followed by the second edition in December.

Bowling Green Falcons offensive lineman Ryan Hunter overtook David Knevel for the number one spot in the final rankings. Hunter started all 12 games for the Falcons at left tackle that protected a true freshman quarterback Jarret Doege, who posted one of the greatest seasons in program history for a true freshman. The North Bay native was a Mid American Conference (MAC) Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-MAC in his final season.

Central Michigan receiver Mark Chapman rose from tenth to second in the final rankings after showing a very strong National Combine in Winnipeg earlier this year. He led the Chippewas in both receptions (54) and receiving yards (805) and had five majors during the 2017 season which saw him earn third-team All-MAC honours. He’s the highest rated skilled position player in the rankings and one of four receivers in the top-20.


RELATED: Ferguson breaks down the top 20 prospects

 

University of British Columbia offensive lineman and Windsor native Dakoda Shepley rose eight spots to the third position in the rankings. At the National Combine Shepley displayed his strength when he recorded 27 reps of 225 lbs. – the most of all the combine participants. He also posted the fastest 40-yard time of all offensive lineman at the combine with a time of 5.27 seconds. Shepley was also named a Canada West All-Star in 2017 for the Thunderbirds

Offensive lineman Trey Rutherford from University of Connecticut drops two spots to fourth in the rankings. The Connecticut Husky started in all 12 games in 2017 on the offensive line, and has experience as a fullback during the 2015 season. The Markham native helped UConn’s offence rush for 200 yards in seven separate games.

Brampton native David Knevel remained rounds out the top-5. The 6”9 senior at Nebraska showed the ability to play both guard and tackle during his senior year and helped Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee eclipse 3,000 yards passing. During his tenure Knevel appeared in 31 games for the Cornhuskers, including eight in 2017.

BY THE NUMBERS

Mark Chapman moved up to second place on the Scouting Bureau Rankings (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

The rankings include: nine offensive linemen, four receivers, three defensive backs, two defensive linemen, a linebacker and a running back.

A total of 16 schools are represented on the list, with only two schools (Calgary and Laurier) having multiple players on the list. Nine U SPORTS schools and seven NCAA schools are represented in the rankings.

2017 CFL Draft first overall selection Faith Ekakitie was ranked 5th on the 2017 Spring Scouting Bureau.

Last year’s spring rankings saw 19 of 20 prospects selected in the CFL Draft, with six being selected in the first round.

The CFL Scouting Bureau releases its rankings three times each year: in September, December and April. The CFL’s Scouting Bureau is comprised of CFL scouts, player personnel directors and general managers from the league’s nine teams.

Rank Name Position School Hometown
1 (3) Ryan Hunter OL Bowling Green North Bay, ON
2 (10) Mark Chapman REC Central Michigan Port Huron, Michigan
3 (11) Dakoda Shepley OL UBC Windsor, ON
4 (2) Trey Rutherford OL Connecticut Markham, ON
5 (1) David Knevel OL Nebraska Brantford, ON
6 (12) Mark Korte OL Alberta Spruce Grove, AB
7 (4) Peter Godber OL Rice Toronto, ON
8 (5) Julien Laurent DL Georgia State Toronto, ON
9 (7) Rashaun Simonise REC Okanagan (CJFL) Vancouver, BC
10 (6) Godfrey Onyeka DB Laurier Brampton, ON
11 (13) Jackson Bennett DB Ottawa Cumberland, ON
12 (15) Andrew Pickett OL Guelph Kitchener, ON
13 (18) Ryan Sceviour OL Calgary Calgary, AB
14 (9) Darius Ciraco OL Calgary Burlington, ON
15 (8) Régis Cibasu REC Montreal Kinshasa, Congo
16 (-) Bo Banner DL Central Washington Bellingham, WA
17 (-) Daniel Petermann REC McMaster Stoney Creek, ON
18 (-) David Mackie RB Western Jackson’s Point, ON
19 (-) Micah Teitz LB Calgary Calgary, AB
20 (-) Isaiah Guzylak-Messam DB Laurier Hamilton, ON

The CFL Scouting Bureau releases its rankings three times each year: in September, December and April.

The CFL’s Scouting Bureau is comprised of CFL scouts, player personnel directors and general managers from the league’s nine teams.