OTTAWA (CIS) – Nic Demski, a slotback from the University of Manitoba, is the top-ranked CIS player on the initial prospect list released by the CFL’s Scouting Bureau in advance of the league’s 2015 Canadian Draft.
The Scouting Bureau list was expanded from 15 to 20 prospects this year and 14 CIS standouts found their way on the first ranking of the season. Not surprisingly, the Laval Rouge et Or and Calgary Dinos, who faced off in the 2013 Vanier Cup final, each placed three members on the September list.
Demski, a 6-0, 215-pound senior in his fourth campaign with the Bisons, has been named an all-Canadian in each of his first three university seasons, twice as a kick returner and last year as a receiver. The Winnipeg product moved from running back to slotback last fall and enjoyed instant success at his new position, leading the Canada West conference with seven touchdown catches in eight league games and placing second in receiving yards (640).
The other CIS stars included on the initial Scouting Bureau list are Laval offensive lineman Danny Groulx (No. 4), Western defensive lineman Daryl Waud (No. 5), Calgary offensive lineman Sukh Chungh (No. 8), Regina receiver Addison Richards (No. 11), Wilfrid Laurier defensive back Chris Ackie (No. 12), Laval defensive lineman Brandon Tennant (No. 13), Calgary offensive lineman Sean McEwen (No. 14), McMaster linebacker Nicholas Shortill (No. 15), Laval offensive lineman Karl Lavoie (No. 16), Laurier defensive lineman Ese Mrabure-Ajufo (No. 17), Regina defensive back Tevaughn Campbell (No. 18), Calgary receiver Jake Harty (No. 19) and Western defensive lineman Rory Connop (No. 20).
Last May, Laval centre Pierre Lavertu became the eighth CIS player in as many years – and the 12th in the past 15 years - to be selected first overall in the CFL Canadian Draft when the Calgary Stampeders called his name at No. 1. He was ranked fourth, second and third, respectively, on the three Scouting Bureau lists published in 2013-14.
A record 59 CIS players (out of 65 total picks) were selected in the 2014 CFL Draft, including eight in the first round, also an all-time mark for CIS (tied with 1970 and 1972).
NOTES: The Scouting Bureau is comprised of CFL scouts, player personnel directors and general managers from the league’s nine teams... Another player with ties to CIS made the initial prospect list of 2014. Running back Tyler Varga, ranked No. 2, was named the CIS rookie of the year with Western in 2011 before transferring to Yale in the NCAA.
CFL release: http://cfl.ca/article/full-rankings-demski-topped-ranked-receiver
CFL video: http://www.cfl.ca/video/index/id/102563
CFL SCOUTING BUREAU SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 LIST:
Rank - Name - University - Hometown - Pos. - Ht. -
Wt.
1. Brett Boyko UNLV Saskatoon, Sask. OL 6-7 310
2. Tyler Varga Yale Kitchener, Ont. RB 5-11 220
3. Nic Demski Manitoba Winnipeg, Man. REC 6-0 215
4. Danny Groulx Laval Gatineau, Que. OL 6-6 325
5. Daryl Waud Western Hamilton, Ont. DL 6-5 270
6. Alex Mateas Connecticut Ottawa, Ont. OL 6-4 309
7. Jacob Ruby Richmond London, Ont. OL 6-7 315
8. Sukh Chungh Calgary Port Coquitlam, B.C. OL 6-4 303
9. Mehdi Abdesmad Boston College Montreal, Que. DL 6-7 297
10. Dillon Guy Buffalo Hamilton, Ont. OL 6-4 317
11. Addison Richards Regina Regina, Sask. REC 6-5 205
12. Chris Ackie Laurier Cambridge, Ont. DB 6-2 205
13. Brandon Tennant Laval Montreal, Que. DL 6-2 305
14. Sean McEwen Calgary Calgary, Alta. OL 6-3 297
15. Nicholas Shortill McMaster Nobleton, Ont. LB 6-2 223
16. Karl Lavoie Laval Quebec City, Que. OL 6-4 285
17. Ese Mrabure-Ajufo Laurier Mississauga, Ont. DL 6-4 260
18. Tevaughn Campbell Regina Toronto, Ont. DB 6-0 185
19. Jake Harty Calgary Calgary, Alta. REC 6-2 210
20. Rory Connop Western Edmonton, Alta. DL 6-5 282
About the 50th TELUS Vanier Cup
Canadian Interuniversity Sport will celebrate the 50th TELUS
Vanier Cup throughout its 2014 football season. For the first time
in history, the championship game will be staged in Montreal - at
Percival Molson Memorial Stadium - on Saturday, November 29, at 1
p.m. ET, live on Sportsnet and Radio-Canada.
Official TELUS Vanier Cup website (including ticket information) www.vaniercup.com
About Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada. Every year, over 11,500 student-athletes and 700 coaches from 56 universities and four regional associations vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. CIS also provides high performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit www.cis-sic.ca or follow us on:
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