Courtesy TSN.ca:

Duane Forde’s Top Offensive Prospects

TSN’s CFL analyst Duane Forde takes a look at the offensive prospects for Wednesday’s CFL Draft, based on the following categories:

* Position: the position group being evaluated
* Storyline: the main topic of discussion around prospects at this position
* Blue Chip Prospects: the most highly rated prospects in the group
* Climbing Quickly: players whose stock has risen considerably over the last year
* Burning Questions: those whose draft position could vary widely due to mixed reviews
* Sleepers: players who haven’t received much attention but could surprise
* Roll The Dice: total long shots who could be worth a late round gamble
* Forde’s Board: player rankings by position

Position: OFFENSIVE LINE

Storyline: “The Present vs. The Future”
The 2008 draft class is being referred to as one of the deepest in recent history, and much of the hype has to do with the quality and depth at the offensive line position. However, many of the top O-Line prospects are redshirt juniors who have a year of NCAA eligibility remaining. On Draft Day, clubs will have to decide between taking players who can join their teams and start their adjustment to CFL immediately versus opting for potentially better prospects who are a year away from turning pro and could be NFL-bound by that time.

Blue Chip Prospects
Dmitri Tsoumpas (6′4″, 305, Weber State) was a four-year starter, who was a Big Sky Conference All-Star as a senior. Among the Class of ‘08, he is arguably the player who is most physically ready to compete at the next level. Justin Sorensen (6′7″, 309, South Carolina) and Andrew Woodruff (6′3″, 315, Boise State) are redshirt juniors with a shot at being selected in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Climbing Quickly
Jonathan St. Pierre (6′3″, 315, Illinois State) spent two years as a Miami Hurricane before transferring to find more playing time. The move has paid off for this redshirt, as the more he plays, the better he gets. Brendon LaBatte (Regina) has steadily climbed the draft boards of many CFL teams since the start of the 2007 season. His résumé includes an East West Shrine Game appearance and a strong Evaluation Camp showing.

Burning Questions
Like Tsoumpas, Jesse Newman (6′4″, 312, Louisiana-Lafayette) was a four-year starter and all-conference (Sun Belt) performer at the NCAA Division 1-AA level. The difference is that, while Tsoumpas has excelled in the combine environment, Newman hasn’t, earning a reputation in some circles as a player who isn’t committed to training. Whether scouts believe his impressive game film or his average testing numbers will determine his Draft Day fate. Similarly, Adam Rogers (Acadia) hopes that his three consecutive All-Canadian selections will override a mediocre Evaluation Camp showing in the minds of those who matter.

Sleepers
Hubert Buydens (6′3″, 271, Saskatchewan) won’t overwhelm anyone with his size or strength but watching him play serves as a reminder that the University of Saskatchewan produces CFL offensive linemen the way that Finland pumps out NHL goalies.

Roll The Dice
For David Bouchard (6′5″, 300, Syracuse), four years as a backup at Syracuse have apparently done nothing to interest him in pursuing a career in football. However, reports suggest that he will play his fifth and final season at Laval where there’s an outside chance he could rediscover the promise that took him south in the first place.

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