CFL Combine wraps up as top prospects make final impressions

The CFL national combine came to an end on Sunday — now all that’s left is the waiting.

Prospects had one final chance to put the pads on and participate in individual and team drills in front of CFL scouts, coaches and general managers. It was one of the last chances for players to make their cases ahead of the April 29 draft.

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“I’d like to say it’s going to be stressful because that’s what I thought coming in (to the combine) but I’m happy with my performance. It’s going to feel like a long time waiting but I think I did everything I could to raise my draft stock and show what type of player I am,” said University of Regina offensive lineman Connor Klassen. “Just try to keep myself busy and try to not overthink anything.

“It’s easy to think about ‘oh I screwed up this play,’ or, ‘I said the wrong thing in that interview,’ but you can’t control that stuff so you just need to wait it out and see what happens.”

While the athletes at the CFL combine have some long days, coaches and scouts have had to put their work in as well, taking the information they have garnered in interviews or on-field drills and determine if opinions have changed on some players.

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace (right) will need to help determine who impressed and disappointed at the CFL national combine in Regina, Sask. (CFL/Submitted)

“We go back to rewatch some of the guys and see how we see them and stack the board,” said Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace.

“There are not too many times you get to see them compete against the best amongst themselves, and then you get to see them at East-West (game). What have they learned from that experience in this one?

“It goes both ways — sometimes you have a kid ranked a little high coming in and he maybe doesn’t put in the performance you would expect and then, on the flip side, maybe a guy you weren’t so high on comes in and proves himself.”

With the scouting camp coming to an end, Klassen said it was an amazing experience.

“They really tested us in the practices and interviews and meetings. They were trying to see how far they could push us and I thought it was cool to see that and show our best when we were at our worst in a tired and exhausted way,” he said.

“A great group of guys on the O-line. Everyone I talked to at every position was really awesome. It was cool meeting guys from all over Canada and guys who played in the States. All my interviews went well, I thought, and that was a really cool experience.”

Klassen is heading back to the U of R to finish the semester and prepare for the next football season — whether that be with the U of R Rams or a CFL team.

“Going back to the U of R and being a leader there and being back in the gym with the guys,” Klassen said. “Just getting back into that O-line crew, have the best off-season for the Rams and get ready for next year.”

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