When the season starts on Thursday, a few CFL rookies from the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) football system will be looking to prove their worth. In last May’s draft, 53 players were drafted from CIS ranks. Here are some of the rookies who are ready to make a splash in their first season in the CFL.
Top CFL Rookies from Canadian Universities
Offensive Players
Hamilton Tiger-Cats, running back, Mercer Timmis
The Tiger-Cats drafted the Calgary Dinos product in the second round of the CFL draft. He was the top running back on the draft board. He rushed for 666 yards along with ten touchdowns in six games for the Dinos last season. The Tiger-Cats in the past two seasons have had weakness at the running back position as their number one back, C.J Gable, is injury prone. Gable for the past two seasons as only played in 12 games. He has rushed for 431 yards and scored two touchdowns in the past two years.
Timmis looks to bring more speed to this already dangerous offense with the likes of Chad Owens, Andy Fantuz and Luke Tasker. There’s also the importance of his last name in Hamilton. Timmis’ great grandfather, Brian Timmis, was a CFL Hall of Fame running back for the Tiger-Cats in twenties and thirties, winning three Grey Cups. Now, almost a century later, the Timmis name will be looking to complete the circle in Hamilton and win a Grey Cup this season. Timmis unfortunately will not be able to play in Thursday’s game against the Argonauts because of an injury he suffered in pre-season.
Toronto Argonauts, wide receiver, Brian Jones
The Argonauts made a huge splash with their fourth overall pick in the CFL draft as they selected the Acadia Axemen product, Brian Jones. Jones was one of the best receivers in the draft, and his stock increased after a fantastic performance at the CFL national combine. He had a great final season for Axemen last year after he led the Atlantic University Sport conference (AUS) in receiving with 45 receptions, 630 yards and four touchdowns in eight games. Jones will have to wait a few weeks to make his CFL debut for Argonauts. He was put him on six-game injury list after he suffered a hairline fracture in his wrist. Jones will be a big target in the passing game when he plays for Toronto later in the year.
Toronto Argonauts, wide receiver, Llevi Noel
The Argonauts grabbed Llevi Noel in the fourth round of the CFL draft. Noel was another top wide out in this year’s draft class. He is no stranger to the Toronto’s football scene as he spent two seasons with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Noel had a breakout year in 2014 for the Varsity Blues with 49 receptions along with 758 yards and four touchdowns. He was an OUA all-star and CIS all-star. Noel did not play for University of Toronto last year instead played in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) for the Windsor AKO Fratmen. Noel had 25 receptions for 398 yards and six touchdowns for the Fratmen last year. Noel is known to have great speed along the sidelines, so don’t be surprised if he breaks for a long touchdown this year for the Argos.
Montreal Alouettes, offensive lineman, Philippe Gagnon
The Alouettes with their second overall pick selected Philippe Gagnon from University of Laval Rouge et Or. Gagnon in 2014 and 2015 was a RSEQ all-star and CIS second team all-star. Gagnon was a big reason why the Rouge et Or were top ten in a majority of Canadian University (CIS) offensive categories in 2015. In his time with the Rouge et Or, he led them to two straight Vanier Cup championships in 2012 and 2013. Gagnon will be a starter on the Alouettes offense line this season. His main job will be to protect veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn in the passing game.
Calgary Stampeders, quarterback, Andrew Buckley
The Stampeders in the 2015 draft saw the chance to develop a local quarterback who has raw potential to be a star in the CFL with Andrew Buckley. For the last two seasons Buckley has been nothing short of sensational for the Calgary Dinos. He threw for 5,337 yards along with 37 touchdowns in 16 regular season games for the Calgary Dinos. He also won consecutive Hec Crighton awards. This past year, Buckley was named Canadian University (CIS) male athlete of the year. Buckley spent some time with the Stamps in the preseason last year, now in his first season in the CFL is the third string quarterback behind Drew Tate and Bo Levi Mitchell. Calgary may let him play a few series to give him some game experience.
Defensive Players
Winnipeg Blue Bombers, defensive back, Taylor Loffler
The Blue Bombers picked Taylor Loffler in the third round of this year’s draft. Loffler was regarded as one of the best defensive players in the draft. After spending a few years in the NCAA with the Boise State Broncos, Loffler returned home to Canada to play for the UBC Thunderbirds last year. Loffler had outstanding season as he had 50 tackles and two interceptions for the Thunderbirds en route to a Vanier Cup Championship. Loffler will likely get some playing time this year for the Blue Bombers. He has the raw potential to be an elite defensive back in this league.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats, linebacker, Terrell Davis
The Tiger-Cats selected Terrell Davis in the third round of the draft this year. He had a fantastic year for the UBC Thunderbirds in 2015. He led the team in tackles with 56.5, along with 4.5 sacks and one interception for the Vanier Cup champions. Davis will start the season as the number three linebacker on the Tiger-Cats depth chart. Davis is a tackling machine will likely get some time on special teams this year.
Winnipeg Blue-Bombers, linebacker, Shayne Gauthier
The Blue Bombers picked Shayne Gauthier in the fourth round of the draft. Gauthier had a successful university career playing for Laval Rouge et Or. In his four seasons, he had 130 tackles. He was a two-time RSEQ all-star and last year he was a CIS all-star. In his final season at Laval, he had 43.5 tackles and one sack for the Rouge et Or. Gauthier will likely get some time on the special teams this year, because he is a great tackler.
Edmonton Eskimos, defensive back, Josh Woodman
The Eskimos selected Josh Woodman in the fifth round of the draft. Woodman could be a steal for Edmonton as he had successful university career playing for the Western Mustangs. Woodman had 53.5 tackles, nine interceptions and eight breakups in his four years. He was a CIS all-star in 2014 and OUA all-star in 2015. In his final season, he had 34.5 tackles and four interceptions. Woodman will likely start his CFL career on special teams.
