TORONTO — If you go through the last five CFL Drafts, you will notice that only five wide receivers have been selected in the opening round.
Vancouver’s Lemar Durant looks to do the same when the CFL holds their annual draft in May.
“That would be big for sure, that would just be a testament to my training and work ethic,” said Durant. “At the end, whatever happens will work out good for me.”
CFL draft Insider Justin Dunk has the Simon Fraser product going eighth overall to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the second version of his mock draft.
“Receivers with Durant’s frame — 6-foot-2 and 232 pounds — don’t come around often,” says Dunk. “That’s what makes him such a unique talent, his size combined with his 4.5 speed.”
Eric Tillman, director of U.S. Scouting and U.S. Pro Personnel with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, was glad to see Durant up close at the Combine.
“One of the nice things about this event is guys become real,” said Tillman. “A lot of good young Canadian players have come into our league the last few years and I think he is one of several that has significant upside.”
Durant will have to make the adjustment back to Canadian rules since the Simon Fraser Clan play in NCAA Division II out of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
“Working on the waggle as a receiver, not being right on the line, the motions, you know you gotta get used to it.” added Durant.
When I mentioned the possibility of the CFL changing the rules regarding contact after five yards being a penalty helping him in his adjustment, Durant laughed.
“That would help me a lot right now,” said Durant. “It’s something [the waggle] once you work on a little bit you will get the hang of it and once you do it a couple of times then it can become an advantage for you.”
Dunk said he’s not sure Durant can make an immediate impact as a rookie.
“He needs to learn to get comfortable again with the waggle and the bigger field nuances like spacing and timing.”
Durant has a few months until rookie camp to make his adjustments and from what CFL teams were saying over the weekend, it seems whoever picks him will be more than happy with their selection.
