CFL SCOUTING BUREAU: FALL EDITION

Nebraska Cornhusker’s offensive lineman David Knevel tops the list in the first installment of CFL Scouting Bureau rankings

TORONTO (August 30, 2017) - The Canadian Football League (CFL) Scouting Bureau today published its first edition of the top-20 ranked prospects eligible for the 2018 CFL Draft.

FALL SCOUTING BUREAU RANKINGS

Rank

Name

Position

School

Hometown

1

David Knevel

OL

Nebraska

Brampton, ON

2

Trey Rutherford

OL

Connecticut

Markham, ON

3

Ryan Hunter

OL

Bowling Green

North Bay, ON

4

Godfrey Onyeka

DB

Laurier

Brampton, ON

5

Darius Ciraco

OL

Calgary

Burlington, ON

6

Peter Godber

OL

Rice

Toronto, ON

7

Pierre Tyrone

REC

Laval

Ottawa, ON

8

Kene Onyeka

DL

Carleton

Brampton, ON

9

Regis Cibasu

REC

Montreal

Kinshasa, Congo

10

Julien Laurent

DL

Georgia State

Toronto, ON

11

Christopher Amoah

RB

Laval

Montreal, QC

12

Rashaun Simonise

REC

Calgary/Okanagan

Vancouver, BC

13

Andrew Pickett

OL

Guelph

Kitchener, ON

14

Dakoda Shepley

OL

UBC

Windsor, ON

15

Alex Taylor

RB

Western

Winnipeg, MB

16

Ryan Sceviour

OL

Calgary

Calgary, AB

17

Keiler Cherry

OL

Acadia

Lloydminster, AB

18

Jonathan Boissonneault-Glaou

DL

Montreal

Lyster, QC

19

Jackson Bennett

DB

Ottawa

Cumberland, ON

20

Nelkas Kwemo

LB

Queen’s

Montreal, QC

TOP-5 PROSPECTS

David Knevel, a Brantford, ON native, tops the September list. Knevel plays collegiately at Nebraska and is expected to start the season at right tackle for the Cornhuskers. Last season, the 6’9”, 315-pound tackle appeared in 10 games (started eight) and helped the Nebraska offensive line rank as the Big Ten's best unit in protecting the passer. In his career, he has appeared in 23 games and was named an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2016.

Connecticut Husky Trey Rutherford comes in ranked second on the list. The 6’5” 312-pound offensive lineman from Markham, ON played in all 12 games last season (starting seven) with the Huskies on an offensive line that helped the offence rush for 100+ yards six times and pass for 200 yards+ on seven occasions. Rutherford has appeared in 32 games and saw some time as a fullback during his sophomore season.

Ranked third is Bowling Green Falcons right tackle Ryan Hunter. Hunter, a native of North Bay, ON, appeared in and started all 12 games for the Falcons last season. He helped lead their running back to a 1,000-rushing yard season. Hunter has been named a Academic All-MAC player in each of his three seasons. For Bowling Green, Hunter has appeared in 40 games and started 26.

Laurier’s Godfrey Onyeka is the highest ranked U SPORTS player on the list. The defensive back from Brampton, ON was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian in 2016 following a banner season where Onyeka recorded 40.5 tackles (35 solo, 11 assisted), four interceptions (one of which he returned for a touchdown), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He was also named a First Team All-Canadian in 2015 and an OUA All-Star Rookie in 2014.

Rounding out the top 5 is Calgary Dino offensive lineman Darius Ciraco. Ciraco, a 6’4”, 295 pound, Burlington, ON native, appeared in four games last season before missing time due to an injury. Ciraco also played in the 2017 U SPORTS East-West Bowl. 

BY THE NUMBERS

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

A total of 16 schools are represented on the list, with Calgary, Laval and Montreal having multiple players on the list.

2017 CFL Draft first overall selection Faith Ekakitie was ranked 14th on the 2016 Fall Scouting Bureau.

Last year’s fall rankings saw 17 of 20 prospects selected in the CFL Draft, with five being selected in the first round.

ABOUT THE SCOUTING BUREAU

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.

Paulo Senra

Director, Communications, Canadian Football League

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