Gta Well Represented At This Year’s E-camp

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

TORONTO – With the annual CFL Congress, Evaluation Camp and Grey Cup all being hosted by Toronto in the same week, it seems rather fitting that the local products are representing their hometown more than ever before at this weekend’s combine.

Sixty of the country’s most promising prospects will converge on Toronto this weekend for a three-day showcase to prove to the eight Canadian Football League clubs that they deserve a shot to be drafted into the pros.

Twelve of the athletes, who attend on an invite-only basis, find their roots in the Greater Toronto Area and include the likes of Barrie’s QB Kyle Graves, Mississauga’s LB Shea Pierre and Markham’s WR Shamawd Chambers.

What makes this year’s number of GTA participants notable is that it is double what has been seen in previous years and a glowing endorsement for how far local football programs have excelled in the last decade.

What was usually a combine featuring Saskatchewan and Quebec-born players that dominated the lists for many years, Toronto’s representation sits an average of seven players higher than it did when the camp first moved to Toronto in 2006.

Chambers is arguably the most celebrated local product who sits fourth on the CFL Scouting Bureau list and is expected to perform well this weekend as he attempts to improve on his stock in the draft.  The Wilfrid Laurier wide receiver is a graduate of Markham District High School and was recently invited to participate in an NCAA all-star game in Florida despite the fact he didn’t play NCAA football.

The 2012 E-Camp takes place this weekend in downtown Toronto in preparation for the CFL Canadian Draft which is scheduled for Thursday, May 3.

Below is a complete list of local prospects that will be participating in this years Evaluation Camp: