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The four Canadians at the NFL combine illustrate the increased competition the CFL faces
The NFL is paying more and more attention to Canadian and Canadian-trained players these days, with a record-breaking four Canadian-born players going in last year's draft and several Canadians and former CFLers playing crucial roles in the NFL playoffs this year. That trend's going to continue at this weekend's NFL combine in Indianapolis, which features an amazing four Canadian-born players. Here's a look at each of the players involved and what their involvement means for the CFL.
Christian Covington, defensive tackle, Rice: Covington, the son of Canadian Football Hall of Fame DE Grover Covington, has turned into an impressive player in his own right. The Vancouver native is 6'3'' and 300 pounds with plenty of power. As he told Drew Edwards, though, his dad not only didn't force him to pursue football, but was lukewarm on the idea at first:
But his future in the game was anything but pre-determined. Christian was born in raised in Vancouver, where the family settled after Grover's playing days were done, and while the family was always active — his sister Asianna is attending the University of Georgia on a track scholarship — Christian wasn't allowed to play football until eighth grade.
"My father is a great man and he wasn't the kind of guy who would force football upon his son," Covington said. "Playing football was a decision I made — I actually had to beg them to let me play."
Once Christian got on the field, the Covingtons were a package deal, with Grover serving as coach throughout his son's high school career. They won a provincial championship at Vancouver College in 2000.
"My father has been with me since day one so he's taught me a lot about technique," Christian says. "I've tried to implement his pass rush into my style of play."
Covington had a successful career at Rice (alma mater of some famed CFL and NFL players, including Don Maynard, O.J. Brigance, and fellow Canadian Luke Willson) and was seen as one of the best Conference USA draft prospects heading into 2014, but injured his knee early this year, then later dislocated his kneecap Nov. 1 and needed surgery. The combine may be an excellent chance for him to show off how well he's recovered.
Brandon Bridge, quarterback, South Alabama: Bridge, a Mississauga native, has good size (6'5'', 235 pounds) and a terrific arm. He's a bit raw, and his stats as a starter in 2014 (1,648 passing yards, 51.9 per cent completion rate, 14 passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns, six interceptions) were more solid than spectacular, especially when you consider that he wasn't facing top opposition. (South Alabama competes in the Sun Belt, which like Conference USA, is a non-Power Five conference.) He also only spent two years there, and really only started this past year; he previously played at FCS Alcorn State. NFL scouts are very intrigued, though, even if they do have some concerns about his lack of proven ability. That may not stop Bridge, either; "Air Canada" told Sun Media's John Kryk this week the doubts fuel him:
"You want to prove them wrong,” Bridge said Thursday during his roundtable session with reporters. “Hopefully (I’ll) play in the NFL, and put Toronto on the map, showing that we have the talent."
Brett Boyko, offensive tackle, UNLV: Boyko, a 6'7'', 310-pound offensive lineman from Saskatoon, could be the prospect here that the CFL misses the most. He's been named the top CFL Draft prospect in this year's September and December rankings, but the NFL's very interested in him as well. He's shown versatility, playing both tackle and guard for the Rebels, and was described as their "best player up front" this year. That versatility could help in the NFL as well, where he may be asked to learn both tackle positions. As NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock told Sportsnet's Justin Dunk, Boyko's physical attributes are impressive enough a team may take him late and hope to develop him into a starter:
"I think he’s a swing tackle. Little raw. Tall kid, stronger, probably late draftable. Look at him as a swing tackle, back-up guy while he develops.”
Tyler Varga, running back, Yale: Kitchener native Varga may have a difficult time attracting a ton of NFL attention, and his size may be a big factor. He's 5'10'' and 227 pounds, putting him in between most NFL running backs and fullbacks. Also, the Ivy League isn't exactly known for the quality of its football these days. Varga impressed throughout his Yale career, though, and did enough to earn an invite to the Senior Bowl, where he had a great week against players from more-famed football factories. He has good pass-catching ability and could be a third-down back or a solid special teams player. Mayock told Dunk Varga has "a chance to make an NFL team."
What does all of this mean for the CFL? Well, having this many Canadians invited to the full combine is remarkable, and it shows off the growing level of Canadian talent. It also illustrates that the NFL's well aware of this, though, and that many of the top Canadian players are now going to receive significant NFL interest. That means CFL teams are going to have to keep weighing NFL interest in players during their own draft, something that's becoming more and more important all the time.
However, there's still plenty of Canadian talent out there for the CFL, and some or all of these guys may wind up playing north of the border. That could happen even this year if their NFL dreams don't pan out, or it could happen down the road if they don't stick in the NFL. Having Canadians go in the NFL draft also may encourage more Canadians to take up and stick with football, and that's only good for the CFL. Thus, having the NFL look so closely at Canadian talent may cause some short-term pain for the CFL, but it's probably not a bad thing in the end.