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The Canadian Press
Iowa offensive lineman Alaric Jackson remains top-ranked prospect for 2021 CFL draft
They have not performed soccer since 2019, however Calgary offensive lineman Logan Bandy and Saskatchewan defensive again Nelson Lokombo are nonetheless garnering consideration. Bandy, a six-foot-five, 285-pound Calgary native, and the five-foot-11, 195-pound Lokomobo, of Abbotsford, B.C., are each taking part nearly on this 12 months’s East-West Shrine Bowl, which will not be performed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However simply being chosen is an accomplishment contemplating U Sports activities cancelled its 2020 marketing campaign because of the novel coronavirus. And on Wednesday, the 2 have been included on the CFL Scouting Bureau’s listing of the top-20 prospects for this 12 months’s draft. Bandy was ranked No. 16 (down from No. 12 in October) whereas Lokombo dropped 5 spots to No. 19. “It is actually robust to not have the ability to play or practise,” Bandy stated throughout a CFL videoconference. “In a 12 months that is as loopy as it’s, it is about staying contemporary and discovering methods to make your self higher (even) if meaning exercises at house, Zoom conferences or no matter. “It is a variety of psychological work. In Zoom conferences you are taking notes . . . Nelson and I’ve each been in assembly for the Shrine recreation and it is listening to guys who’ve had the draft expertise and what they went via. As for the bodily aspect, it is about upkeep . . . you must keep as bodily prepared as attainable and go by any means to get that carried out.” Lokombo agreed. “It isn’t what we wished it to be . . . it actually sucks,” he stated. “I am again right here in B.C. coaching and it was undoubtedly robust popping out right here with no gyms open and never having any entry to amenities. “You actually have to have the ability to preserve . . . whether or not that is having house exercises or going out for runs by yourself time. It is undoubtedly one thing you must persevere via.” Alaric Jackson, a six-foot-six, 320-pound offensive lineman at Iowa, once more held down the highest spot. Jackson, of Windsor, Ont., was ranked No. 1 within the first listing launched in October. Josh Palmer, of Brampton, Ont., a receiver at Tennessee, moved up two spots to No. 2 forward of Chuba Hubbard of Sherwood Park, Alta. Hubbard wasn’t initially ranked as a result of he was nonetheless a junior at Oklahoma State however has since declared for the 2021 NFL draft. Calgary’s Amen Ogbongbemiga, a linebacker at Oklahoma State, fell two spots to No. 4 forward of Jevon Holland of Coquitlam, B.C., a junior defensive again at Oregon who additionally was unranked however has declared for the NFL draft. Rounding out the top-10, so as, are: Virginia receiver Terrell Jana (Vancouver, ranked No. 3 in October); Texas State offensive lineman Liam Dobson (Ottawa); New Mexico offensive lineman Sage Doxtater (Welland, Ont.); North Carolina State defensive lineman Daniel Joseph (Toronto); and Montreal offensive lineman Pierre-Olivier Lestage (Saint-Eustache, Que.), who was the top-ranked U Sports activities participant. In actual fact, 16 of the gamers listed attended NCAA faculties, not a shock as many American establishments performed soccer this season. The opposite at a Canadian college was Laurier offensive lineman Bryce Bell, of Waterloo, Ont., at No. 20. “It is undoubtedly robust to get observed as a result of the NCAA is performed on a a lot bigger scale, much more individuals are in-tune to that,” Lokombo stated. “However so long as you recognize what you are able to and know you possibly can produce when your time comes or the chance presents itself, you need to be OK.” Lokombo has the good thing about coaching along with his older brother, Bo, a veteran CFL linebacker now with the Toronto Argonauts. The junior Lokombo stated whereas he hasn’t formally determined whether or not to play professional or return to Saskatchewan this fall, the prospect of suiting up along with his brother is an attention-grabbing one. “I’ve all the time dreamt of enjoying with him so that may undoubtedly be a cool second,” he stated. “I’ve all the time been impressed by my brother and having a man who’s within the CFL and is a CFL vet is large.” The CFL additionally introduced NCAA gamers eligible for its ’21 draft who’ve determined to make use of their further 12 months of eligibility will not have their draft 12 months deferred. The league added U Sports activities gamers additionally had the chance to defer their draft 12 months to 2022, with 132 having opted to take action. This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan 20, 2021. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
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