Covington lone Canadian selected in NFL draft, list of mini-camp invitees grows

Upon completion of the seven round 2015 NFL draft held April 30 – May 2 in Chicago, defensive lineman Christian Covington out of Rice University was the lone Canadian selected, in the 6^th round by the Houston Texans. The Vancouver native is however not the only Canadian to garner NFL interest as a number of others were signed or invited to mini-camps as undrafted free agents. Prior to his selection, Covington was projected as the top CFL draft prospect and is likely considered a flyer given his opportunity to stick in the NFL for years to come.

Varga heads to Indy

Following the draft, Kitchener’s Tyler Varga signed a reported three year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. The former 2010 Football Canada Cup Offensive MVP (Ontario West) was projected as a potential late round NFL draft selection but will use the process as motivation. Primarily used as a halfback in college (at Yale), he may be asked to play special teams or be used as a fullback in the NFL. Varga will join fellow Canadians Ben Heenan who recently signed this off-season after time in the CFL with Saskatchewan as well as second-year Colt Henoc Muamba.

Bridge to Dallas

Mississauga’s Brandon Bridge hoped to be the first Canadian quarterback to be selected in the NFL draft since the Giants took Jesse Palmer in 2001 however his lack of polish may have shied some teams away. The 2009 Junior National Team alum out of South Alabama is considered raw and needs to work on his mechanics but possesses qualities NFL teams covet including a strong arm and mobility. Of note, the Cowboy’s current starter Tony Romo was also signed as an undrafted free-agent after being bypassed in the 2003 draft.

Plenty of Canadians given look at NY Giants mini-camp

A large number of Canadians and potential CFL draft picks have been invited to the New York Giants mini-camp next weekend (May 8-10), hoping to impress the team enough to earn an invite to their main training camp.

They are:

Byron Archambault, LB, Université de Montreal (#14 CFL draft prospect)

Trevaughn Campbell, DB, University of Regina (#15 CFL draft prospect)

Sukh Chungh, OL, University of Calgary (#6 CFL draft prospect)

Lemar Durant, WR, Simon Fraser University (#8 CFL draft prospect)

Sean McEwen, OL, University of Calgary (#10 CFL draft prospect)

Addison Richards, WR, University of Regina (#12 CFL draft prospect)

Jacob Ruby, OL, University of Richmond (#13 CFL draft prospect)

*Daryl Waud, DL, Western University (#7 CFL draft prospect)

May 8 update (two more Canadians added to Giants mini-camp)

Ron Omara, LB, StFX

Chris Ackie, DB, Laurier (#11 CFL draft prospect)

Other Canadians invited to NFL mini-camps

Philadelphia Eagles: Brett Boyko, OL, UNLV (#2 CFL draft prospect)

NY Jets: Alex Mateas, OL, University of Connecticut (#3 CFL draft prospect)

Washington: *Waud will also attend Washington’s mini-camp

Cleveland Browns: Nic Demski, WR, University of Manitoba (#9 CFL draft prospect)

NFL mini-camps are held this upcoming month. Their timing is critical as teams will look to gauge their potential to stick on an NFL roster prior to the CFL draft on May 12.

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