The Canadian Press
Every winter I go on and on.. and on for months about how good CFL draft prospects are as they complete their fourth year of university eligibility in U SPORTS, the NCAA, CJFL, or just about anywhere quality football players qualifying for national status can be found.
We go through regional combines, the national showcase, interviews with teams, pro days and then everyone gets drafted and the story is over and done with right?
Wrong.
2018 CFL Draft: View every pick with the CFL Draft Tracker
The CFL Draft is the beginning of each player’s individual football story, not the end.
Due to this, I – along with several of the CFL’s best and brightest – believe it’s important we continue to track CFL drafted players to discover who is making moves to be considered the future of football in Canada.
** UP **
5th overall – Saskatchewan Roughriders OL Dakoda Shepley – UBC
After being released by the New York Jets, Shepley has yet to sign an NFL practice roster spot. I don’t pretend to know his full range of options, but if Shepley Makes his way to Regina, the Riders would turn what appeared to be a bit of a flop draft in May of 2018 to an instant success.
38th overall – Montreal Alouettes RB Ryder Stone – Dartmouth
Amid all the talk about Johnny Manziel and Antonio Pipkin, the Montreal Alouettes have quietly been getting impressive running back play from a rookie out of Dartmouth.
Tyrell Sutton fell to injury and William Stanback has been touch and go since. Due to ratio considerations the door was cracked open for Stone, who flew under the radar on draft day due to his relative size, devalued position in the CFL game and obscurity while playing in the Ivy League.
None of that matters now though as Stone has found a place to call home and help Montreal improve. Antonio Pipkin and Ryder Stone calling the Montreal backfield home. Just like we all knew it would be back in June.
17th overall – Winnipeg Blue Bombers REC Dan Petermann – McMaster
I have to admit I was ready to put Petermann in the down category in August’s rookie report after he saw limited action and targets for the last couple of weeks. Then the Bango Bowl happened.
Whoa. At McMaster nobody could tackle Petermann thanks to his thick lower body and quickness. Somehow that continues to translate to the pros and this week he caught his first career touchdown.
** DOWN **
The Alouettes 2019, 2020 and 2021 early round drafts
Montreal traded their 2nd round pick to Hamilton in the Ryan Bomben deal which included the first overall pick (Chapman) this past year. Montreal then traded their first round picks in 2020 and 2021 to Hamilton for Manziel, Landon Rice and Tony Washington.
While Washington has been a stabilizing force in Montreal, the Alouettes haven’t received anything else from the trade. Manziel got a concussion and has been on the bench due to Antonio Pipkin’s stellar play in a strange twist of fate, while Rice was released and returned to Hamilton.
Unless Manziel turns out to be a hero in Montreal the reality is history will not be kind to the Alouettes on this trade and the Ticats flipped a negotiation list player for more national depth.
** STABLE **
66th overall – Hamilton Tiger-Cats Nicholas Parisotto
Parisotto was the lowest drafted player to make an opening day roster in 2018 when the Ticats entrusted him with a depth role at free safety and the chance to play immediately on special teams.
All season long Parisotto has made an impact on specials including the Labour Day rematch this past weekend when he was alerted he might have to dress with less than 24 hours notice due to national DL Ted Laurent stepping out of lineup for the birth of his child. He dressed, he played, he did his job on special teams while the Ticats back filled with others on the defensive line.
1st overall – Hamilton Tiger-Cats REC Mark Chapman – Central Michigan
The Ticats have wanted Chapman in house since they took him first overall in the draft. He visited earlier this season but then signed with the Denver Broncos.
Chapman was part of Denver’s final cuts which would make you think his CFL stock should be rising, but until I see him in black and gold, his status remains the same as it has been all year. A talented receiver, perfect for June Jones’ system, who continues to focus on other opportunities.
** SNEAKY GOOD **
13th overall – Ottawa Redblacks REC Marco Dubois – Laval
Dubois was the most pro ready special teams player in the 2018 draft and has contributed to the REDBLACKS coverage units playing at a high level all season.
18th overall – Toronto Argonauts LB Nelkas Kwemo – Queens
Deemed an athletic freak at the 2018 CFL Combine in Winnipeg, Kwemo showed the raw athleticism that surely had him on every teams draft board and was taken with the final pick of the 2nd round by Toronto.
Since then he’s found a home as a backup weak side linebacker while contributing on special teams. Fellow Argos draft pick from Michigan State Sean Harrington has followed a similar path to success.
