Thomas, Hollohan among potential picks in CFL draft

AUS football coaches will keep a close eye on the CFL draft set for Thursday afternoon.
 
Unlike last season when former St. Francis Xavier X-Men linebacker Henoc Muamba went first to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, there isn’t one AUS product likely to have his named called in the first round. None of the consensus top-15 draft eligible players is from the Atlantic conference.
 
But there are several players who could sneak into the six-round draft and that many again likely to draw free-agent interest once all the names are called.
 
The defending-champion Acadia Axemen could have two or more players selected topped by defensive lineman Jake Thomas, last season’s AUS defensive player of the year and an all-Canadian.
 
New Brunswick’s Thomas showed well at the CFL’s evaluation camp in March, one of several AUS players to stand out for the pro scouts. He was fourth overall in the bench press.
 
“He has done a great job the last few years and from most calls I get he will probably go in rounds 2–4,” said Acadia head coach Jeff Cummins.
 
Axemen running back Brett Haenni may also draw some interest. The strongest running back at the evaluation camp, he is a bruising blocker who projects as a CFL fullback.
 
“Brett had a good evaluation camp with good numbers across the board,” said Cummins. “If he gets drafted it will be late or sign as a free agent.”
 
Quarterback Kyle Graves, the 2011 AUS MVP, is an interesting case. Canadian pivots have drawn some interest around the league the last few seasons and the agile Graves is also a solid punter.
 
Graves, too, did well at the evaluation camp. He is more likely to get a free-agent offer.
 
McMaster’s Kyle Quinlan and UBC’s Billy Greene were the other CIS quarterbacks invited to the camp.
 
Long-snapper Mike Benson, receivers Mike Squires, an all-Canadian, and Taylor Renaud and fullback Reed Anderson are other Axemen with CFL hopes this year.
 
St. F.X. defensive back Dylan Hollohan, who did not play in 2011 due to injury, raised his stock at the evaluation camp. He tied for third in the 40-yard dash, topped the vertical jump and shuttle run and was second in the broad jump and three-cone drill.
 
“He is a gifted athlete with great ball instincts,” said X-Men head coach Gary Waterman. “He plays both man and zone coverage equally well. He trains extremely hard and is driven to be the best.”
 
Waterman expects kicker Anthony Alix and offensive lineman Colin Wicks, a product of Fletchers Lake, to draw some interest.
 
“Anthony has one of the most powerful legs that I have ever been around. He is a tremendous athlete who is very capable of playing another position. He is a true kicker, who can punt, kick field goals and kick-offs equally as well.
 
“Colin attended the CIS East-West game last year, was an AUS all-star and has been a starter at left tackle for us. Colin is six-foot-five, 304-pounds with good feet and a high football I.Q.”
 
Former AUS most valuable player Jahmeek Taylor, all-Canadian Rob Jubenville and Aaron Crawford are the top draft prospects from the Saint Mary’s Huskies.
 
Taylor doubles as a receiver and a returner and is one of the best athletes in the CIS. He was slowed last year by hip problems.
 
“He’s a very special athlete who can score whenever and wherever he touches the ball,” said incoming Saint Mary’s head coach Perry Marchese. “He has a great chance to play at the next level as a receiver and returner. He should have no problem learning intricate CFL systems.”
 
Jubenville, a defensive lineman with the Huskies, may be a better fit at linebacker in the CFL. Crawford, like Benson, is a quality long snapper with the size and strength to play defensive end or linebacker.
 
Mount Allison’s best hope is 300-pound offensive lineman Mike Filer.
 
“Mike is a tenacious competitor and tremendously strong,” said Mount Allison coach Kelly Jeffrey. “He is exceptionally strong.
 
“You won't find a more determined draft prospect out there and, if given the chance, Mike will force his way on to a CFL roster through shear will and effort.”
 
Boise State defensive end Tyrone Crawford tops the final list of the CFL’s scouting bureau entering the draft. Saskatchewan offensive lineman Ben Heenan is second and Wilfrid Laurier receiver Shamawd Chambers third.
 
The Saskatchewan Roughriders pick first with the Edmonton Eskimos up second and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats third.