TORONTO – On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, the Canadian Football League (CFL) Scouting Bureau published its second Top 15 ranking of the season of prospects eligible for the 2014 Canadian Draft. New to the latest list was University of Manitoba's Evan Gill ranked at No. 6 and Anthony Coombs ranked at No. 9.
Gill, 21, is a defensive lineman that has numerous accolades over the last three playing seasons playing at Manitoba. The Winnipeg native was a 2013 Canada West All-Star, and invited to play for the West team in the 2014 East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida on Sat., Jan. 18. He is only just the third Bison selected to participate since 1985, with the last being Israel Idonije of the NFL's Detroit Lions in 2003. In three seasons (2011-13), the Arts student-athlete has accumulated 7.5 sacks, including three this past season, along with five break-ups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick while not missing a game during the last 24 conference regular season games and three conference playoff contests. In the 2013 campaign, Gill finished with 28.5 total tackles (fifth best on team) with 7.5 tackles for losses (tied for second in Canada West) along with 3.0 sacks (tied for seventh in conference) along with two break-ups with one forced fumble and one blocked kick.
Coombs, 21, continues to impress during his three playing seasons with the Bisons. He has been named Canada West All-Star for three consecutive seasons and also a two time CIS First Team All-Canadian and once a CIS Second Team All-Canadian. In his three seasons (excluding red-shirt year in 2010), the Winnipeg named has run for 2,218 yards with 29 overall touchdown (17 rushing) with a 7.5 rushing average plus 51 receptions for 840 yards and 11 TDs. The versatile player also has scored a 98 yard punt return and added the longest conference run of 107 yards in 2013. His 2013 season was his best statistically as Coombs started in all eight conference regular season games and led Canada West in all-purpose yards with 1,696 (212.0 average per game) while second in conference rushing yards at 1,015. In addition, he was second with 11 overall touchdowns and ninth with 509 receiving yards in 2013.
"I am very happy for both Evan and Anthony to be recognized for the hard and work and excellence and being identified by the CFL Scouting Bureau, " commented Bison Football head coach Brian Dobie. "To have two Bison Football players in the Top 10 is a very positive statement as to where the Bison program is at this point of time."
Defensive lineman Eddie Steele was the last Bison on a CFL Scouting Bureau list prior to the 2010 Canadian Draft and he was then drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
CFL SCOUTING BUREAU JANUARY 14, 2014 LIST:
Rank Name University Hometown Pos. Ht. Wt. Prev.
1. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif McGill St. Hilaire, Que. OL 6-5 315 (1)
2. Pierre Lavertu Laval Quebec City, Que. OL 6-3 300 (4)
3. David Foucault Montreal LaSalle, Que. OL 6-8 320 (3)
4. Devon Bailey StFX Mississauga, Ont. WR 6-5 202 (2)
5. Matthias Goossen SFU Richmond, B.C. OL 6-4 294 (15)
6. Evan Gill Manitoba Winnipeg, Man. DL 6-3 280 (NR)
7. Beau Landry Western Kitchener, Ont. LB 5-11 201 (6)
8. Andrew Lue Queen's Markham, Ont. DB 6-2 210 (8)
9. Anthony Coombs Manitoba Winnipeg, Man. RB 5-9 190 (NR)
10. Max Caron Concordia Kingston, Ont. LB 6-2 213 (7)
11. Casey Chin SFU Port Moody, B.C. LB 5-10 214 (12)
12. Sam Sabourin Queen's Stittsville, Ont. LB 6-2 225 (9)
13. Adam Thibault Laval Quebec City, Que. DB 6-0 195 (5)
14. Derek Wiggan Queen's Toronto, Ont. DL 6-1 254 (10)
15. Dylan Ainsworth Western Delta, B.C. DL 6-3 225 (NR)
NOTE: Ranking in the parentheses is the player's ranking position from the last CFL Scouting Bureau published in September 2013.
The 2014 CFL Combine will be held in Toronto from March 21-23. The date of the 2014 CFL Draft is yet to be confirmed. The CFL's Scouting Bureau is comprised of CFL scouts, player personnel directors and general managers from the league's nine teams.
Bison Notes: To watch Evan Gill at the 89th edition of the prestigious East-West Shrine Game on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, the game will be streamed online at www.shrinegame.com or live on the NFL Network with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.
