Knevel tops draft rankings
David Knevel is a massive man with big aspirations, who surely will have eyes on the NFL and a great fall back north of the border.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers offensive lineman, who originally hails from Brantford, Ont., was listed first on the CFL Scouting Bureau’s fall rankings, which were released on Wednesday.
A two-year starter at a major U.S. college program, Knevel is 6-foot-9, 315 pounds.
He played in 10 games at right tackle in 2016 and helped the Huskers have the best offensive line in the Big Ten at protecting the passer.
He has the kind of size that is sure to get him looks in the NFL, assuming his senior year at Nebraska goes well.
If things don’t work out as well, he could be a first-overall pick in the CFL, when the league holds its 2018 draft next May.
Knevel was one of 20 players identified by the CFL Scouting Bureau on Wednesday, and one of nine offensive linemen.
Ranked second is Connecticut offensive lineman Trey Rutherford, of Markham, Ont., and ranked third is Bowling Green offensive lineman Ryan Hunter of North Bay, Ont.
Rutherford is 6-foot-5, 312 pounds and he started seven games for the Huskies last season, helping them to six 100-yard-plus rushing games. Hunter started 12 games for the Bowling Green Falcons last season and helped his team’s running back to more than 1,000 yards rushing.
The top Canadian university prospect is defensive back Godfrey Onyeka of Wildrid Laurier, who hails from Brampton, Ont.
Onyeka was a first-team all-Canadian in 2016 after recording 40.5 tackles, four interceptions (one for a touchdown), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Rounding out the top five is Calgary Dinos offensive lineman Darius Ciraco, a 6-foot-4, 295-pounder from Burlington, Ont., who was limited to just four games in 2016 due to injury.
Of the top 20 players on the list, five are from American colleges, while 15 are from Canadian USports.
Here’s the full top-20 as ranked by the CFL Scouting Bureau: