Tennessee’s Kongbo sits atop CFL prospect list

University of Tennessee TORONTO defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo was named the top prospect for the 2019 CFL draft Thursday in the league scouting bureau’s first top-20 list.

The native of Surrey, B.C., has started 12 of 24 games over two seasons. Kongbo has amassed 40 tackles, 31/2 sacks and a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Universite Laval defensive lineman Mathieu Betts, a Montreal native, was the No. 2 prospect. The six-foot-three, 250-pound Betts has appeared in 24 games, recording 73 tackles, 261/2 sacks and four forced fumbles. Betts was Canadian university football’s top rookie in 2015 and twice its outstanding lineman (2016, 2017).

University of Connecticut receiver Hergy Mayala, also of Montreal, took the No. 3 spot. The sixfoot-two receiver has started 23 of 31 games over three seasons and was the Huskies’ leading receiver as a junior with 43 catches for 615 yards and seven touchdowns.

Calgary native Shane Richards, a six-foot-eight, 336-pound offensive lineman at Oklahoma State University, was ranked fourth. Richards is entering his third season with the Cowboys and is listed as their starting right guard.

Justin McInnis, of Pierrefonds, Que., held down the fifth spot. The Arkansas State University receiver has 59 catches for 883 yards and five touchdowns over two seasons.

Rounding out the top 10 were University of Richmond receiver Dejon Brissett of Mississauga, Ont., University of North Dakota running back Brady Oliveira of Winnipeg, University of North Colorado offensive lineman Zach Wilkinson of Vancouver, University of Kansas offensive lineman Alex Fontana of Toronto and Laval receiver Alexandre Savard of Quebec City.