Several York Lions are on the radar screen heading into the Canadian Football League’s Canadian draft this afternoon.
Running back Pearce Akpata, defensive back David Mills, linebacker Jared Corbin, defensive lineman Sean Simms, running back Andre Durie, offensive lineman Claudio Tulipano and wide receiver Robin Legault are eligible for the six-round, 47-player draft (1pm, Webcast on CFL.ca).
“They’re all outstanding individuals and players,” said Lions coach Tom Gretes. “I know a lot of these guys have showed really well at the combines. They have the ability to play at the next level.”
Simms and Durie both earned mentions in a recent draft preview by Duane Forde on CFL.ca. Simms was listed as a sleeper pick, while Durie was included in the take-a-chance category. Durie, second to ex-McMaster star Jesse Lumsden in CIS rushing in 2004, missed all of last season after suffering a serious knee injury in 2005, but is attempting to make a comeback.
“A lot of times with the CFL, it’s just being in the right place at the right time,” Gretes said. “(The draft) is a bit of a double-edged sword for us because you hope guys get drafted, but you also hope the guys with eligibility get sent back for another year because we feel we’re really close (to where he wants to be) from an overall team standpoint.”
In the draft last year, Lions defensive lineman Ricky Foley went fourth overall to the BC Lions, the second-highest York player taken in the University's history.
This article was submitted to YFile by Mike Koreen, sport & information officer in York’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Faculty of Health.