Yoku ganbattane: Japanese RB Taku Lee, OL Tomoya Machino invited to CFL combine in Toronto

Running back Taku Lee and offensive lineman Tomoya Machino have become the first Japanese players to be extended invitations to showcase their skills for CFL general managers, coaches and scouts at the CFL Combine in Toronto from March 26-28.

Players from across Japan gathered in Tokyo and Osaka – two of the country’s largest cities – to take part in the weekend’s back-to-back CFL Global Combines, conducted in partnership with Japan’s National Football Association.

“As part of this historic moment in Japanese football, we would like to thank our partners at the CFL for their efforts in implementing this combine,” Riichiro Fukahori, Commissioner of the NFA, said.

“Just one year ago, we could not have imagined this would happen – many Japanese football fans are now eagerly anticipating the day when we will have the first player from our country playing in the CFL.”

The full list of global players invited to Toronto will be announced following the completion of the 10 Global Combines. The 2020 CFL Global Draft is slated for April 16.

Global players invited to the CFL Combine

During the 2019 season, CFL rosters featured, for the first time ever, one designated ‘global player’ from outside the U.S. and Canada on each team’s active roster and as many as two more on their practice rosters.

In 2020, the number of global players per team will increase to two on the active roster and up-to-three on the practice roster, with as many as 45 global players competing in the league.

CFL Global Combine schedule

3Down Staff