Two weeks ago, we introduced you to a three-part series featuring the best offensive players in the CFL who graduated from CIS schools. Members of the former Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receiving corps from 2008-11 – a.k.a. the Canadian Air Force – made the list, such as Andy Fantuz, Rob Bagg and Chris Getzlaf, along with their current kicker Chris Milo.
This week, we will look at the best Canadians on the defensive side of the ball who played their college football north of the border. The choices are slim but talented.
Players are listed in alphabetical order by their last name, followed by their position, alma mater, current team and the year they were drafted.
Top CIS Alumni in the CFL: Defence
Marc-Olivier Brouillette, LB, Université de Montréal, Montreal Alouettes, 2010
The 6’1″, 230 pound defender is by far the surprise of this list as he was originally drafted as a QB coming out of university. The former Carabins passer made the switch to linebacker/safety once he joined the Alouettes. Marc Trestman and the coaching staff realized the potential in his big frame. Also, at the time, they had some average quarterback already playing for them, Anthony Calvillo.
But the Alouettes needed some national players on their defence then. Brouillette, a law student, couldn’t be happier that he made the switch. Malleable on the depth chart, the Montreal native can play both linebacker and safety as his body moulds into both positions’ needs.
His numbers have been growing every year: after only 5 tackles in his 2010 rookie season, Brouillette has already delivered 36 tackles this season after notching 31 last year. He increased his sack total last year as well, starting with one sack heading into the season, and finishing with six. In this high-flying defence, Brouillette media and fans may sometimes underrate him, but ask anyone within the Alouettes coaching staff; they wouldn’t want this kid playing anywhere else.
Shea Emry, LB, University of British Columbia, Toronto Argonauts, 2008
The linebacker out of Richmond, BC has certainly made a name for himself since he entered the league after being picked seventh overall in the spring draft. Emry has made some big tackles on and off the field. He’s helped raise awareness for mental health and improving men’s quality of life, after dealing with bullying himself, and depression following a concussion in 2011.
He returned to play in 2012 as strong as ever, recording 87 tackles, seven sacks, and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown. He was the East Division’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player, and came to second to Jon Cornish for the league’s MOP and JC Sherritt for the league’s MODP.
After three trips to the Grey Cup with two victories in 2009 and 2010, Emry left Montreal this off-season when the club took so long to hire a coach. Instead, Emry joined arch-rival Argonauts in southern Ontario. He certainly hasn’t slowed down this season, so far recording tackling 60 times, already 16 more than last season. A possible future candidate for the Hall of Fame, Emry has to thank everyone back at UBC for establishing him as one of the league’s top defenders.
Ricky Foley, DE, York University, Saskatchewan Roughriders, 2006
Ricky Foley is not a man you’d want to meet in a dark alley. At 6’2″ and 258 lbs, Foley is one of the most intimidating forces in the league. His arms are the size of cannons and are intimidatingly covered in tattoos. Overpowering opposing lineman right off the bat, the 2006 fourth overall pick was named the league’s MOP in just his fourth season in 2009, when he was still playing for the BC Lions.
His success that year merited a try-out with the Seattle Seahawks in the 2010 NFL training camp; he then spent about a week in the New York Jets organization before being cut and returning to the CFL. He signed in his home province of Ontario with the Argonauts and won his second Grey Cup in 2012, his first since 2006. He then signed with his third CFL club, and Saskatchewan turned Foley into the Mean Green Machine. Third team, third Grey Cup for the man from Courtice last year.
Currently fifth in the league in sacks with 11, Foley is on pace to beat his career high of 12 that he set in 2009, with three games remaining. Ask any club if they would like Foley and in a flash any team would want the big guy… playing for them.
Honourable mentions: Paul Woldu, Mike Edem, Nicolas Boulay, Mathieu Boulay
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