Top 5 CFL prospects from the Canada West conference

With the CFL Draft set to take place on Thursday, the Canada West has put together a ranking of the top 20 players from the six teams in the conference – the only conference in Canada to do so.

Each program submits a ranked list of prospects (excluding their own players) and the points are tallied up with first place getting 25, second 24 and so on. The more points the higher the ranking. 

3DownNation has a sneak peek at the top 5 – it was a tight finish for No. 1 (see the points below) and the full top 20 as well.

1) Dakoda Shepley, OL, UBC

Shepley was under consideration to earn one of the two coveted invites for USports football players to the East-West Shrine Game in Florida and even though he missed out, his stock has risen. He got into Eastern Michigan’s pro day to perform in front of 20-plus NFL teams – two NFL scouts had to request Shepley. The New York Jets signed Shepley to an undrafted free agent contract quickly after the NFL draft. That should push him down the CFL board, but he’s a high-end talent.

2) Mark Korte, OL, Alberta

Korte was invited to the prestigious East-West Shrine Game in January, garnering NFL interest while proving he could handle the jump in competition level. The Washington Redskins sent a scout to Edmonton to work out Korte and he posted NFL-calibre testing numbers. He received and accepted two NFL mini-camp invites from the Jets and Giants, but should still go high in the CFL draft.

3) Darius Ciraco, OL, Calgary

Ciraco played for Team Canada at the 2014 U19 World Championships. He’s been an All-Canadian for the Dinos. Steady as a rock on the interior, the CFL team who selects Ciraco will get an experienced player. Ciraco is versatile having started games at centre, guard and tackle during his university career. He’s active with a CFL-type body for an offensive lineman.

4) Ryan Sceviour, OL, Calgary

He was an All-Canadian selection last season while continuing to bring his physical brand of play to the field. Sceviour could be a potential first-round selection, especially with two top Canadian offensive linemen signing NFL priority free agent contracts. The Calgary product and teammate Ciraco were worked out by the Washington Redskins on campus leading into the draft process.

5) Justin Lawrence, OL, Alberta

Lawrence is scrappy in the best way possible. He was a 2017 first-team All-Canadian who has quick feet, good hands and projects as a centre at the CFL level. Lawrence played a key role in paving the way for running back Ed Illnicki who ran for a Canada West conference record 1,468 yards on the way to earning the Hec Crighton Trophy.

(No. 51)

FULL CANADA WEST CFL TOP 20 PROSPECT RANKINGS

* Higher ranking based on greater number of higher-placed votes