CFL SCOUTING BUREAU: SPRING EDITION

TORONTO (April 12, 2018) -  The Canadian Football League (CFL) Scouting Bureau today published its third and final edition of the top-20 ranked prospects eligible for the 2018 CFL Draft. 

SCOUTING BUREAU RANKINGS CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS: 

What: Teleconference with top prospects for the 2018 CFL Draft
When: Thursday, April 12, 2018
          2:00 p.m. ET
Call-In Number:  1-800-898-3989 / 416-406-0743
Passcode: 3585954#

On the Call:

• Mark Chapman (#2, REC, Central Michigan) - highest-rated skilled position player and jumped eight spots from the winter scouting bureau.
• Dakoda Shepley (#3, OL, University of British Columbia) - highest-rated U SPORTS player.
• Mark Korte (#6, OL, Alberta) – Jumped six spots from the winter scouting bureau.

TOP 5 PROSPECTS

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.

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.

Brantford 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

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 5^th 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.

September Rankings
December Rankings

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.