January 8, 2016

Sophomore Stars: A team by team look at 2016

TORONTO — Young new talent is inevitable every year in football, but the influx of first-year star power in 2015 may have raised the bar.

Rookie quarterbacks looked like long-time veterans last year as Jonathon Jennings, Rakeem Cato and James Franklin ushered in a future generation of star CFL quarterbacks.

Not to be outdone, 2015 was a banner year for rookie receivers as well. Derel Walker won Most Outstanding Rookie in just half a season’s work, while Vidal Hazelton and Terrence Toliver powered the Argos’ and Ticats’ passing offences respectively.

Many of the top players in the CFL will be sophomores next season as a new generation of talent has arrived, and with that we take a team by team look at which sophomores have already broken out, and which may not have but should be on your radar.

BC Lions

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Sophomore Star: Jonathon Jennings

Jennings may just be the brightest of sophomore stars after putting on a dominant display as a 23-year-old rookie in 2015. He took over the Lions mid-season following injuries to Travis Lulay and John Beck and by the time Lulay was ready to return, Jennings simply couldn’t be moved.

The Lions have a future franchise quarterback in Jennings, who last year with his strong arm and quick legs completed more than 66 per cent of his passes and threw 15 touchdowns to just seven interceptions over six starts.

Keep an Eye On: Shaquille Murray Lawrence

The Lions’ third round draft pick of 2015 was seldom used last season but the upside is there. With pending free agent Andrew Harris potentially headed out of town, could Murray-Lawrence be on track to become the next great Canadian running back?

The 22-year-old Scarborough, Ont. native set a record-breaking time of 4.41 at last year’s combine (before having it broken by Tevaughn Campbell shortly after) after enjoying a strong career at UNLV – but does he have what it takes to be a premier running back?

Sophomore Sleeper: Ese Mrabure-Ajufo

A year after the Lions turned heads and selected the pass rush specialist Mrabure-Ajufo with their fifth overall pick, the 23-year-old Wilfrid Laurier grad has played in only two CFL games and registered one sack.

Saying he’s due for a breakout year in 2016 is a stretch, but the Mississauga, Ont. native wasn’t expected to grow into a superstar overnight. Mrabure-Ajufo still has a high ceiling and could begin to at least make an impact in 2016, especially working closely with the man who drafted him in Wally Buono, making him a legitimate sleeper candidate.

Edmonton Eskimos

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Sophomore Star: Derel Walker and John Ojo

The Eskimos could build a sophomore all-star team on their own, so picking just one is almost impossible. Walker, the 2015 Most Outstanding Rookie, is the obvious choice, but don’t overlook the type of rookie season Ojo had.

While Walker leads the next generation of CFL receivers, Ojo emerged as a shutdown corner opposite Patrick Watkins in his first season in the league, ultimately playing a pivotal role in helping the Eskimos win the 103rd Grey Cup. These two players will bring a lot of star power to the Esks both in 2016 and the foreseeable future.

Keep an Eye On: Shakir Bell

Injuries in the Esks’ backfield opened the door for Bell early last season and the 23-year-old took the job and ran with it. While he was also affected by injuries later in 2015, Bell ran for 633 yards and a 5.6 yard average in his rookie season and appears to have the inside track on starting in 2016.

He may get plenty of competition as Akeem Shavers put in a strong performance in the Grey Cup while John White could also look to return coming off a ruptured Achilles tendon, but Bell has plenty of talent and should fit in nicely on the Eskimos’ talented offence.

Sophomore Sleeper: David Beard

It was hard to find a category for Danny Groulx, who took a big step forward in his career following a strong rookie season, but Beard clearly fits in the sophomore sleeper category. The Eskimos were confident in making Beard their second round pick last year and he could be set to take on a major role on Edmonton’s O-line, as deep as it is, in 2016.

Beard played nine games for the Esks at left guard in 2015 and should play a larger role moving forward.

Calgary Stampeders

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Sophomore Star: Lemar Durant

Last year it was the departure of Maurice Price, Nik Lewis and Brad Sinopoli affecting the Stampeders’ receiving corps; this year it could be Jeff Fuller and league-leading receiver Eric Rogers. It’s hard to say how Calgary’s receivers will shape up in 2015, but it’s also hard to imagine one of last year’s most hyped prospects not being a big part of it.

Durant fell to the second round despite being a top prospect but showed flashes of what he’s capable of in 2015, catching 12 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns. The knock on him going into the draft was that he wasn’t pro-ready, but few can develop talent like John Hufnagel and Dave Dickenson. Expect Durant to play a much greater role in his sophomore season.

Keep an Eye On: Karl Lavoie

The Stamps’ offensive line took a hard hit last year, from the free agent departures of Brett Jones and Stanley Bryant to injuries at virtually every position. Lavoie, the ninth overall pick in last year’s draft, was among those injured but this year should be ready to fortify a young Stampeders offensive front.

Expect Lavoie to team up with third-year centre Pierre Lavertu to lead a steadier Stamps O-line in 2016.

Sophomore Sleeper: Tevaughn Campbell

Taken 22nd overall after breaking the electronic 40 time record at the combine, Campbell earned some valuable playing time in the Stamps’ secondary as a result of injuries. He won’t likely break into a starting role in 2016, but don’t let the athletic Regina alumnus slide off your radar.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

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Sophomore Star: Jeff Knox Jr.

Knox Jr. was one of the top defensive players in the CFL in 2015 let alone rookies, leading the Riders with 114 tackles and placing second in the league in that category. He was a rare bright spot during a season to forget in Riderville, and now under a new regime the 23-year-old will be the face of a new-look defence.

Keep an Eye On: Nic Demski

A talented receiver, returner and former running back, Demski showed some serious glimpses in 2015 that he can be a superstar in the CFL. With Chris Jones and a youth movement seemingly hitting Regina in 2016, can Demski break out and truly take the next step?

Sophomore Sleeper: Rory Connop

Taken near the bottom of the third round in the 2015 CFL Draft, Connop earned some playing time for the Green and White last season and has likely earned a roster spot moving forward. It’s uncertain what role he’ll play in Jones’ new-look defence, but the multi-sport athlete (Connop played junior hockey in Alberta) could be this year’s David Menard.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Adam Gagnon

Sophomore Star: Khalil Bass and Sukh Chungh

One of four players to reach 100 tackles in 2015, Bass was one rookie people couldn’t stop talking about last season. The 25-year-old was a tackling machine for the Bombers and brings some much-needed star power and youth to that Winnipeg defence.

Equally impressive was Chungh, the draft’s second overall pick who took over the starting right guard position on the Bombers’ O-line and never looked back. Chungh is probably the Bombers’ best offensive lineman already and is the future of that unit, one he anchors with his aggressive hard-nosed style of play.

The sky is the limit for both of these young stars who could be the face of the Bombers franchise for a long time.

Keep an Eye On: Addison Richards

The Bombers went a little off the board with their 11th overall selection of Richards last year, even taking him ahead of top prospect Lamar Durant. But after getting limited playing time in 2015, next season could be the year Richards becomes a much bigger part of the Bomber offence.

Richards had just one catch for 12 yards last season in only one game played, but his speed combined with a 6-foot-4 frame should help him get in games more a year later.

Sophomore Sleeper: Garrett Waggoner

Waggoner’s role was mostly on special teams last year after being selected in the supplemental draft with a 2016 first round pick, but a greater role could be in story in 2016. The versatile 6-foot-1, 225-pound defender is capable of playing both defensive back and linebacker.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

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Sophomore Star: Terrence Toliver

Once a contender for the league lead in receiving yards, 27-year-old Toliver enjoyed a strong rookie season before it was derailed by injuries. Toliver sparked instant chemistry with star quarterback Zach Collaros and ended his first CFL campaign with 673 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 40 catches.

Keep an Eye On: Jeff Mathews

After a strong start to the season, the 24-year-old rookie Mathews fizzled out and was eventually injured and replaced by Jacory Harris and Jeremiah Masoli. Still, Mathews is surely a big part of Kent Austin’s future plans in Hamilton and he could play an important role in 2016 depending on the injury status of Zach Collaros.

Sophomore Sleeper: Byron Archambault

A testing monster at the combine nearly a year ago, Archambault struggled through injuries in 2015 and did not get extended playing time. He was drafted 17th overall in the CFL Draft and could earn more playing time in 2016 on a talented Ticats defence.

Toronto Argonauts

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Sophomore Star: Vidal Hazelton and Diontae Spencer

Kevin Elliott and Tori Gurley should be mentioned but since they didn’t technically qualify as rookies, we’ll keep our focus on the other two young receivers in Hazelton and Spencer. Those two helped transform the Argo offence in one short off-season, one that could now be one of the most explosive in 2016.

Hazelton was the runner-up to Derel Walker for Most Outstanding Rookie, while the diminutive Spencer is elusive and almost impossible to tackle in the open field. Both were plagued by inconsistency last season as Spencer struggled to always find the field while Hazelton faced disciplinary issues, but both should move past that this upcoming season.

Keep an Eye On: Daryl Waud

Waud fell to the Argos in the second round and made it to training camp after making the surprise decision to leave the Washington Redskins and end his NFL aspirations. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Western grad could be a centerpiece of the Argos’ D-line after last year playing in 10 games and recording three sacks, especially with the potential departures of Cleyon Laing and Euclid Cummings.

Sophomore Sleeper: Martin Wright

Wright was a late cut at Argos training camp last year then re-joined the team later in the year – and when he did finally get into games he made an impact. The 27-year-old recorded three sacks and a forced fumble in only seven games last season and, like Waud, could look to fill the void on the Argos’ D-line left by pending free agents

Ottawa REDBLACKS

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Sophomore Star: Alex Mateas

Last year’s first overall pick was a rock on the REDBLACKS’ offensive line, one that started the same five players every single game on the way to a Grey Cup appearance and an East Division title. Ottawa boasts a strong, dependable line that is capable of keeping 40-year-old Henry Burris on his feet – and Mateas is the future for that unit.

Expect an even bigger step forward in 2016 as the Ottawa native looks to grow into one of the league’s premier offensive linemen.

Keep an Eye On: Forrest Hightower

After dealing with injuries through part of 2015, the 23-year-old Hightower will look to get a promising young career back on track in 2016. The Oakland, Calif. Native recorded 15 tackles, a sack and two passes defended in only six games last season and is an important part of Ottawa’s defence in the future.

Sophomore Sleeper: Ettore Lattanzio

The REDBLACKS have leaned on young national talent on their defensive line in the past, and with team sack leader Justin Capicciotti potentially hitting free agency may have a void on that unit.

Lattanzio was a top-20 prospect at this time last year but was released by the Bombers after selecting him 38th overall in the CFL Draft. Ottawa scooped him up and while he still faces difficult odds of making a significant contribution in 2016, keep an eye on him throughout training camp.

Montreal Alouettes

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Sophomore Star: Philip Blake

Of all the rookies who made an impact in 2015, Blake may have been the most unheralded. The 30-year-old was as solid as a rock on the Alouettes’ offensive line, one that tied for first in the CFL with only 33 sacks allowed.

His emergence helped make up for the departure of Ryan Bomben while Montreal’s O-line remains in good hands heading into 2016.

Keep an Eye On: Rakeem Cato

Keep an eye on the Als’ 23-year-old pivot because if he plays, there’s a good chance he’ll be a sophomore star. Cato impressed in his brief playing time in 2015, including a career debut that no one will soon forget in a win over the Calgary Stampeders.

The Alouettes appear to be rolling with the veteran Kevin Glenn going into next year, but Cato could be the future in Montreal and his chance will come.

Sophomore Sleeper: Chris Ackie

Jacob Ruby and Nicholas Shortill also deserve honourable mention for this category, but the biggest sophomore sleeper in Montreal has to be Chris Ackie, a versatile defender who the Als selected fourth overall in the CFL Draft last year.

The Als traded Mike Edem late last season and should be able to find a spot for Ackie, likely as a defensive back rather than a linebacker although he’s capable of playing both positions.

CFL.ca Top 5 sophomores to watch in 2016

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After a team by team look at the top sophomores in the CFL, narrowing down a list of the top five was not easy. After much debate, CFL.ca has landed on the following list of the top five sophomores to watch in 2015:

1. Jonathon Jennings

2. Derel Walker

3. Sukh Chungh

4. Nic Demski

5. Khalil Bass

6. Diontae Spencer

7. Daryl Waud

8. Lemar Durant

9. Jeff Knox Jr.

10. John Ojo