CFL draft hopeful sees ‘great things’ in the future

Running back Augustine’s stock soars after strong performance at combine

TORONTO Johnny Augustine’s pro stock is on the rise.

On Thursday, the Guelph Gryphons running back cracked the CFL scouting bureau’s final top 20 prospects list leading up to the May 7 draft. After being bypassed in the previous listings, released Dec. 8, the 5-foot-8, 202-pound Augustine earned the No. 17 spot after a solid showing at last month’s combine in Regina.

Following that performance, Augustine boldly declared he was the top running back in the draft and a future CFL starter. He wasn’t moving off those proclamations Thursday.

“That’s my mentality,” he said during a conference call. “It’s one thing to make it to the CFL and make a roster, but my goal at the end of the day is to be a starting running back.

“I want to do great things . ... My dream is to leave my mark in the professional ranks. This was the first step and the next step, obviously, is getting my spot on whatever team is willing to take me and competing and fighting for the No. 1 spot.”

Last season, Augustine ran for 563 yards on 108 carries (a 5.2 yard average) with three TDs while adding seven catches for 55 yards. He tested well in Regina — 22 reps in the bench, a 4.77-second 40-yard dash and a 30.5-inch vertical jump — but really shone in the one-onone drills, impressing as a runner, receiver and blocker.

“I just didn’t show one thing,” he said. “In today’s game, as a running back, you’ve got to be successful in doing a lot of things in a lot of areas.

“I think that’s what I did to impress all the general managers.”

Augustine wasn’t the only player to rise.

Ottawa’s Eli Ankou, a defensive lineman from UCLA, moved up one spot to No. 2 while Winnipeg ’s Geoff Gray, an offensive lineman at Manitoba, jumped two positions to No. 3.

McMaster receiver Danny Vandervoort of Barrie, Ont., is at No. 4 — up three positions from Dec. 8 — while Iowa defensive lineman Faith Ekakitie of Brampton, Ont., vaulted six spots to No. 5.

Montreal’s Justin Senior, an offensive lineman from Mississippi State, remained the top prospect. It’s a position he’s held since the first list was released in September.

Rounding out the top 10 in order were: Maine linebacker Christophe Mulumba, Laval tight end Antony Auclair, Idaho offensive lineman Mason Woods, Carleton receiver Nathaniel Behar and Bethune-Cookman offensive lineman Dariusz Bladek.

Ranked 11th to 20th are Montreal defensive lineman Junior Luke, Wilfrid Laurier defensive lineman Kwaku Boateng, McGill offensive lineman Qadr Spooner, Calgary defensive back Robert Woodson, St. Francis Xavier defensive lineman Kay Okafor, Calgary offensive lineman Braden Schram, Augustine, McMaster defensive lineman Fabion Foote, Henderson State defensive back Dondre Wright and, Calgary defensive lineman Connor McGough.

University of Regina Rams receiver Mitchell Picton did not appear in the final top 20 rankings.

It’s one thing to make it to the CFL and make a roster, but my goal at the end of the day is to be a starting running back.