For the first time since 2016, the Laval University Rouge et Or could see two of its prospects go out in the first round of the CFL draft.
During a record year with eight selections, the 2016 vintage saw offensive linemen Philippe Gagnon (2e), Charles Vaillancourt (5e) and Jason Lauzon-Séguin (7e) hear their name in the first round. A year earlier, offensive linemen Danny Groulx (7e) and Karl Lavoie (9e) had also found a buyer in the first round.
This year, slot back Kevin Mital will certainly be selected in the first round and he even believes he could slip into the top 5 depending on what he hears. In 14e place in the latest rankings from the CFL Scouting Bureau, blocker Nathaniel Dumoulin-Duguay gained points during the evaluation camp in Winnipeg and he believes in his chances of being selected in the first round.
“The days are long and I’ve been waiting for this moment for a month,” he summarized. It’s even more exciting because I’m going to be released earlier than expected. I am expected to be selected in the first round.
During the last simulated draft on the 3DownNation site, he was placed at 4e rank. If this is confirmed, the Calgary Stampeders would bet on another offensive lineman from Laval in the first round after Pierre Lavertu (1er) in 2014 and Lavoie in 2015.
“It would be incredible to go out in the first round and a dream come true,” said the 6’3”, 300-pound guy. When I returned to football with the Rimouski Pioneers, I wanted to go a long way, but I didn’t think I would make it this far. If I am chosen in the first round, it will be above my expectations at the time.
In Winnipeg during the evaluation camp, the Rimouski native met the nine teams. Hamilton and Toronto spoke to him again from camp and the BC Lions showed up Monday morning.
“Excellent plan B”
Invited to the New England Patriots rookie mini-camp, Rouge et Or kicker Vincent Blanchard also attracted the attention of teams on the Ambrosie circuit. “My main goal is to sign with the Pats, but otherwise I have an excellent plan B,” he summarized. I am not closing the door on a return to Canada and it is certain that I will play professionally.
Blanchard was invited for a private workout with the Ottawa Redblacks last week and Toronto contacted him on Sunday. He was also entitled to a private training session with the Montreal Alouettes last Wednesday. “It went well in Ottawa and it was more difficult in Montreal when it was snowing. I’m not worried. My agent (Rob Ford) told me I was going to go extremely high for a kicker.”
Blanchard will train over the next few days with kicker specialist Steve Wolfe, with whom he has previously worked. Alouettes precision kicker David Côté preceded him Monday morning. The American is visiting Quebec for the Rouge et Or spring camp.
The hidden card of the Rouge et Or title
Nobody talks about it and he goes under the radar, but long throw specialist Ian Leroux could be selected even if the Rouge et Or product from Laval University has warned the nine CFL teams that he will play one last season in the university ranks in the fall.
An excellent student, the long throw specialist and co-captain of the Rouge et Or wants to complete his master’s degree in physiotherapy before making the jump to the CFL. “If I get an opportunity in the CFL, I will dedicate myself to it 100 percent, but the priority at the moment is to finish my studies,” he explained. I won’t be tempted to go back to school after my career. That’s why I didn’t want to do a bit of both at the same time.”
Photo credit: Photo Courtesy Rouge et Or
Invited to the regional camp in Waterloo, Leroux participated in a private training session with the Ottawa Rouge et Noir last week. “I was able to work one last time with my excellent kicker Vincent Blanchard,” he said. It went very well. I also spoke to Hamilton, Saskatchewan and Montreal while Winnipeg and Calgary contacted my agent (Fred Weinrauch).”
Is he worried that his value will drop due to his return for one final college season? “I don’t expect anything about my selection rank. I want to finish my career. It will be an extra if I play in the professional ranks.
Calgary, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg are banking on specialists aged 37, 34 and 36 respectively while Ottawa must turn to a rookie signed as a free agent last December who has no experience in the professional ranks.
In the last two drafts, two long throw specialists were claimed in 3e round.
Last year, Leroux postponed his draft year. He couldn’t do the same this year.
Cantin-Arku in the first round
Invited to the Miami Dolphins mini-camp, Geoffrey Cantin-Arku represents another sure bet in the first round. The Memphis Tigers linebacker spoke to every team and got a private workout with Hamilton. “I’ll be out soon enough,” he said.
