Top draft prospect Sage Doxtater takes redshirt, will be deferred to 2021 CFL draft

Photo courtesy: New Mexico State Athletics

Next year’s CFL draft has lost one of its top prospects.

Offensive lineman Sage Doxtater will no longer be eligible for the 2020 CFL draft after taking a redshirt at New Mexico State University.

Doxtater committed to NMS after graduating from Canada Prep Academy, which is located in his hometown of Welland, Ontario.

The six-foot-seven, 320-pound blocker started nine games at left tackle as a true freshman. He remained in that role for three years, starting 32 of 33 career games.

Doxtater has yet to dress this season due to a nagging shoulder injury. He hopes to play before the season is over — his Aggies have already played six games, losing them all — but he is eligible to dress for up to four games and still take a redshirt.

Redshirting will allow Doxtater to return to NMS next year, which could help him earn an NFL opportunity. It will also bump him to the 2021 CFL draft class.

Doxtater was originally the fourth-ranked prospect on the September scouting bureau rankings behind sure-fire NFL players Chase Claypool and Neville Gallimore. He was expected to be a first-round selection in the 2020 CFL draft, possibly going as high as first overall.