Syracuse offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 5, 2023. Bergeron moved atop the CFL Scouting Bureau’s spring top-20 prospects list. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Darron Cummings
TORONTO – Syracuse offensive tackle Matthew Bergeron moved atop the CFL Scouting Bureau’s spring top-20 prospects list.
The six-foot-five, 318-pound native of Victoriaville, Que., was fifth on the winter list, which was released in January. The Scouting Bureau compiles the top-20 prospects for the CFL draft, which will be held May 2.
Bergeron became a starter at Syracuse as a freshman. A team captain in 2022, Bergeron allowed four sacks in 686 snaps and was penalized three times in 11 games.
Illinois running back Chase Brown, a native of London, Ont., moved down one spot to No. 2. Brown had topped the previous two Scouting Bureau lists.
Brown’s twin, Sydney, a defensive back at Illinois, also moved down a spot to No. 3.
Mississippi defensive lineman Tavius Robinson, of Guelph, Ont., was listed at fourth overall. He was at No. 3 in January.
Sidy Sow of Bromont, Que., an offensive lineman at Eastern Michigan, also dropped one position to fifth overall.
Rounding out the top-10, in order, included: Pittsburgh receiver Jared Wayne (Peterborough, Ont.); offensive lineman Dontae Bull of Fresno State (Victoria); Penn State defensive back Jonathan Sutherland (Ottawa); TCU defensive lineman Lwal Uguak (Edmonton) and Southern Utah defensive lineman Francis Bemiy (Montreal).
Montreal Carabins linebacker Michael Brodrique, a native of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que, was the top-ranked Canadian university player at No. 11.
Any CFL teams drafting Bergeron, the Browns, Robison or Sow will likely have to wait for them to come to Canada. All five are expected to be selected in the NFL draft later this month after participating in the league’s combine in Indianapolis.
Bergeron, the Browns and Robinson also all participated in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
If all five are selected, it would mark the most Canadians taken in an NFL draft.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023.
