By Dashawn Stephens
This year’s CFL Eastern Regional Combine plays host to U SPORTS stars from AUS, RSEQ and a few OUA schools. Among the group, however, are a small handful of athletes who we believe belong at the CFL National Combine.
We’re looking at three National Combine-caliber prospects at the 2022 CFL Eastern Regional Combine.
1. Jonathan Eduard
Position: Defensive Back
School: Carleton
Let’s be honest, anyone who watches Carleton Ravens football likely knows that Jonathan Eduard is often times one of, if not, the most talented athlete on the field. An import defensive back from Orlando, Florida, Eduard arrived at Carleton in 2018 after a brief stint at Henderson State. Since then, he has embraced the Canadian game gracefully.
Eduard first broke out in 2018, when he racked up 33.0 total tackles along with three interceptions and four pass breakups en route to being named an OUA All-Star. The years that followed Eduard’s rookie campaign saw his numbers drop drastically, but not because he fell off as a DB, it was because quarterbacks simply just stopped throwing in his direction.
In 2019, Eduard played only three games. In 2021, he took on a new identity with the Ravens, becoming a special teams specialist - while still locking up receivers on the defensive side of the ball, of course. Eduard earned a conference-wide reputation of being someone who can shed blocks on punts, and get to the returner in timely fashion, while still allowing a five-yard halo.
Whether it be as a defensive back or a special teams player, the moral of the story is that Jonathan Eduard is a talented athlete who you should keep your eyes on, not just at the Eastern Regional, but beyond.
1. Ryth-Jean Giraud
Position: Running Back
School: Montréal
Often described as an offensive Swiss army knife, Ryth-Jean Giraud played a pivotal part in Montréal’s run to the Vanier Cup in 2019.
The Laval, QC native played only one game this past season, but virtually did it all for CFL Hall of Famer Anthony Calvillo and the Carabins offence in 2019. Finishing among the top of the team leaderboard in both rushing and receiving, Giraud rushed for a team-high 575 yards and hauled in 276 receiving yards. He would finish the season leading the team in all-purpose yards with 1,008 yards - 401 more yards than second on the list.
Giraud’s invitation to the CFL Eastern Regional Combine instead of the National Combine is likely due to the fact he missed most of the 2021 season. However, his 2019 performance is enough vindication for where he truly ranks among U SPORTS running backs.
What makes Giraud an intriguing prospect is his versatility as an offensive player. Like some of the other premier feature-backs we’ve seen across Canada, Giraud can excel in the backfield as a ball-carrier, in the slot as a receiver, and in the open field as a blocker. In fact, he’s even shown that he can line up under center and run the offence out of the wildcat formation. Because of his well-rounded resume of skills, it’s hard to not see Giraud being an immediate asset to CFL teams.
1. Jacob Salvail
Position: Receiver
School: Concordia
When you consider the receivers who were invited to the CFL National Combine, it is extremely hard to understand how Jacob Salvail wasn’t a part of that list. Last season, he was the number one receiver for the nation’s top ranked offence at Concordia. Hauling in 632 receiving yards (4th in U SPORTS), and seven touchdowns (2nd in U SPORTS) on 40 receptions (5th in U SPORTS), Salvail accounted 25.5% of Concordia’s offensive production in 2021.
Top five in all major receiver stat categories, solely responsible for 25% of the nation’s top offence, but only invited to the regional?
At 5’7, 165Ib, Salvail doesn’t boast the biggest frame. Yet, in a conference where players are traditionally older - and therefore, bigger - he’s proven that he can work his way around taller defensive backs, and work through the middle of the field among larger linebackers.
It’ll be unique to see how Salvail fairs without Olivier Roy throwing him the ball on Friday, but rest assured, he will be out to prove he belongs in conversation with the best.
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