CFL Season Opener: 30 MAC Players On CFL Rosters

Tonight kicks off another season of Canadian Football, which to some is also known as "the place Central Michigan players go after graduation." I counted a total of 30 players on CFL rosters, seven from CMU, and all but three MAC schools representing our northern metric neighbors.

The two big names I guess would be Dan LeFevour, who made some waves by making the roster over beleaguered former Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier for the third spot on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Drew Willy is also making his first foray up north, hitting the depth chart for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

For bonus flavor I also skimmed their depth charts to see how likely they are to actually play. I'm also throwing in UMass players even though they were never MAC competitors. And I could've included potential Temple players. But why would I? They left us, so we'll leave them out. Fair's fair.

We'll try to keep you in the loop on their progress in the CFL, if you care. I care a little. So I might either way.

B.C. Lions

Eastern Michigan DE Jabar Westerman: The 2012 No. 2 overall pick is listed as first team defensive tackle.
UMass DE Keron Williams: We'll start including Minutemen! He's the the starting strong-side end.
UMass LB Anton McKenzie: Third string outside linebacker.
Toledo WR Nick Moore: Second string slotback.
Buffalo WR Ernest Jackson: Practice roster.

Edmonton Eskimos

(Their Week 1 depth chart isn't up yet so I'm using a week-old one)

Akron DT Jermaine Reid: Not on chart.
Akron DL Shawn Lemon: Starting defensive end.
Central Michigan T Greg Wojt: Not on depth chart.
Kent State DB Rico Murray: Starting outside linebacker.

Calgary Stampeders

(Their Week 1 depth chart isn't up yet so I'm using a week-old one)

Akron WR Jabari Arthur: Second string slotback.
Central Michigan DB Eric Fraser (injured list)

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Buffalo QB Drew Willy: Backup quarterback.
Western Michigan RB Brandon West: Second string running back, third string kick/punt returner.
Kent State T Dan Goodspeed (9-game injured list)

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Central Michigan WR Kito Poblah: First string wide receiver.
Eastern Michigan DB Johnny Sears: First string cornerback.
UMass DT Brandon Collier: First string defensive tackle.
OHIO RB Chris Garrett (9-game injured list)
Western Michigan DE Fernand Kashama: Second string defensive end
Central Michigan RB Carl Volny (injured list)

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour: Third string quarterback.
Central Michigan LB Ike Brown: Second string linebacker.

Toronto Argonauts

(Their Week 1 depth chart isn't up yet so I'm using a week-old one)

Akron DB Jaili Carter: Second string halfback (a defensive position, they cover the slotbacks or slot receivers)
Central Michigan CB Pacino Horne: Third string cornerback.
Toledo DT Derrick Summers (injured list)

Montreal Alouettes

(Their Week 1 depth chart isn't up yet so I'm using a week-old one)

Eastern Michigan WR Eric Deslauriers: Second string wide receiver.
UMass WR Brandon London: First string wide receiver (ahead of Deslauriers)
OHIO LB Chip Cox: First string outside linebacker.
Toledo DT J.P. Bekasiak: First string defensive tackle.
Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe (9-game injured list)

Final count: 30
CMU 7
Akron 4
UMass 4
EMU 3
Toledo 3
Buffalo 2
Kent State 2
OHIO 2
WMU 2
NIU 1
Ball State/BGSU/Miami: 0