Football’s Future: Revisiting the 2018 sophomore sleepers list
TORONTO — Duke Williams, Marken Michel and James Widler Jr. have all replicated their success as rookies last season, but what about some of the lesser-hailed sophomores in 2018?
Last winter I made a list of 18 sophomore sleepers for the 2018 season, excluding players with six or more starts to their name and forecasting which second-year players are most likely to break out.
Some of these names have already made it big, while others we’re still waiting on:
Sophomore stars
Reggie Begelton / REC / CGY
Like many before him, Begelton had to bide his time behind other veterans in the Stamps’ receiving corps, but the wait was worth it. With top targets Kamar Jorden and Eric Rogers sidelined, Begelton is proving he can handle the workload as a No. 1 receiver, hitting 150 receiving yards in back-to-back games.
Tunde Adeleke / DB / CGY
Despite some injury issues early in the year, Adeleke has emerged as the regular starting safety in place of the retired Joshua Bell. The second-year national has the versatility to not only step in and play SAM linebacker when needed, but he’s also a dangerous returner. Adeleke has easily exceeded his value as a 25th overall draft pick in 2017.
Tunde Adeleke has taken over the starting safety job in just his second season (David Moll/Stampeders.com)
Kwaku Boateng / DL / EDM
Eskimos head coach Jason Maas has put his trust in the second-year Boateng, who routinely lines up opposite star pass-rusher Alex Bazzie at defensive end. Boateng has two multi-sack games this season, including a three-sack game against the Montreal Alouttes, and is a true ratio-breaker — one of just a few starting nationals at defensive end right now in the CFL.
Dariusz Bladek / OL / SSK
The Riders went into the season with three American starters on their O-line, but the plans changed when Travis Bond was released and Jarvis Harrison couldn’t hold onto the job. In Week 3 it was Bladek’s turn, and the 2017 11th overall pick hasn’t looked back, delivering on his draft pedigree and emerging as a long-term building block on Chris Jones’ O-line.
Terry Williams / RB / CGY
Previously considered the favourite to win Calgary’s starting running back job following the departure of Jerome Messam, Williams has instead served as a returner and change-of-pace back. Still, he’s gotten plenty of use both on offence and special teams, becoming one of the most dangerous playmakers in the CFL.
Winston Rose / DB / BC
While he didn’t fit in Noel Thorpe’s plans in the nation’s capital, Winston Rose may have found his home on the west coast in an upstart Lions defence. Part of a ‘misfit’ group of defensive backs, which also includes Anthony Orange and Garry Peters, Rose has four interceptions while playing on the CFL’s fourth-ranked pass defence (261.5 yards per game).
Tobi Antigha / DL / SSK
Despite leaning on the duo of Willie Jefferson and Charleston Hughes, the Riders have still found a way to get Antigha on the field following his breakout rookie season. The versatile 25-year-old is often seen dropping into coverage, which has led to a pair of interceptions and even a touchdown. The only thing Antigha doesn’t have this season? A sack.
On track
Patrick Levels / DB / CGY
Part of the Stampeders’ expansive injury list, Levels has been limited to eight games in 2018, seeing time at corner and occasionally SAM linebacker. The 24-year-old has 18 tackles and an interception, also playing a role in special teams coverage. Levels has a bright future in the Stamps’ secondary.
Eugene Lewis / REC / MTL
The Alouettes’ passing offence, with its revolving door at quarterback, has not been the best gauge of productivity for the receivers. However, Lewis has still managed to make an impact in his second season, recording 433 yards and a touchdown while emerging as a regular starter. There’s a lot of potential here.
The production has fluctuated, but Eugene Lewis has earned a regular starting role with the Als (Peter McCabe/CFL.ca)
Nate Behar / REC / EDM
After failing to get on the field as a rookie, 2017 first-round pick Behar has become an occasional starter this season, hauling in 17 passes for 153 yards and his first career touchdown. The best is yet to come, but the 23-year-old should be a starter in this league for many years.
Fabion Foote / DL / MTL
The Alouettes continue to bring their 12th overall pick of 2017 along slowly, putting Foote in a rotational role with two American interior linemen. Yet the 24-year-old hasn’t looked out of place when on the field, amassing 10 tackles and a pair of sacks in 10 games this season. Foote is another of several potential national starters on the Als’ defence.
Minimal impact
Matthew Shiltz / QB / MTL
Once considered the quarterback of the future in Montreal, somehow the sophomore Shiltz is not among the five quarterbacks — count ’em, five — who have started a game for the Als in 2018. The 25-year-old should continue to hang around and, depending on what happens with Johnny Manziel, could get his opportunity before the season is through.
Justin Renfrow / OL / CGY
Expected to compete for a starting job this year, Renfrow has been held to just one game for the Stampeders in 2018. The addition of Derek Dennis bolstered the tackle position for the Stamps, leaving the 28-year-old Renfrow on the team’s practice roster throughout most of the season.
Justin Vaughn / DL / HAM
After turning heads as a rookie in 2017, Vaughn hasn’t played since going on the six-game injured list back in early August. While he’s been held to just three tackles in six games this year, he remains a valuable part of the future as a Canadian interior defensive lineman with plenty of upside.
Alex Ross / QB / WPG
Despite falling out of favour in BC, Ross was given another opportunity when he signed with the Bombers and starting pivot Matt Nichols suffered an injury in training camp. But the second-year quarterback was out-dueled by Chris Streveler for the starting job, and has since been released.
Connor McGough / DL / HAM
With Justin Capicciotti and Jamaal Westerman ahead of him on the depth chart, McGough’s role in his second season in the league has been mostly on special teams — though the future is still bright for the University of Calgary product, who’s barely just 23 years old.
Mason Woods / OL / EDM
Acquired in the James Franklin deal, Woods has yet to make an impact through his first two professional seasons after being drafted 10th overall in the 2017 CFL Draft. At 6-foot-9 and just 23 years old, he’s still got time and potential to become a difference-maker as a professional O-lineman.
