The Ticats announced the signings of six international players on Tuesday, including quarterback Jake Waters.
Also added to the roster were wide receivers Michael Preston and Anthony McClung, and offensive linemen Sean Donnelly, Xavier Proctor and Terrael Williams..
The 24-year-old Waters spent time with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars last year after two excellent seasons at Kansas State where he broke the school’s career records for completion percentage (64.1), passing efficiency (155.8), total offensive yards per game (260.2) and passing yards per attempt (9.09.) In his two-year career with the Wildcats, Waters threw for 5,970 yards, 40 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, and added 796 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns on the ground. He started his college career at Iowa Western Community College set the record for completion percentage (73.3), previously held by Cam Newton, now of the Carolina Panthers.
There’s a relatively detailed scouting report on Waters available here but it sounds like he’s ideal for the CFL: slightly undersized by NFL standards (6-foot-1) decent if unspectacular arm, good mobility with off-the-charts accuracy. Sounds like he has a little toughness in him as well, which comes in handy when it’s necessary to scramble for a first down on second-and-six.
He’s been on the Ticats neg list for some time.
The 26-year-old Preston has 11 games of NFL experience in three seasons with the Tennessee Titans (2011 to 2013), posting 10 receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He also spent time with the Miami Dolphins in 2015, and had two stints in the Arena Football League with the Utah Blaze (2011) and San Jose SaberCats (2014). At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he’s a big body, which – along with his NFL experience – reminds me of current Ticats Terrence Toliver and Tiquan Underwood. His highlights have unfortunate green screen effect…
Donnelly sounds like a monster at 6-foot-7, 333 pounds and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the NFL’s New York Giants in May 2015, attended training camp but was released. He made starts at both right and left tackle in 42 games at Tulane and that kind of flexibility comes in handy at the CFL level. With Jake Olsen on the mend from a torn a patella and Joel Figueroa unsigned (and reportedly hoping for an NFL shot) offensive tackle could be a battleground in training camp, as veterans Brian Simmons and Jeremy Lewis are challenged.
McClung, 24, spent time with the Toronto Argonauts in 2015 and attended training camp with the NFL’s Houston Texans in 2014 after a playing 47 games for the University of Cincinnati – alma mater of quarterback Zach Collaros – from 2010 to 2013. At 6-feet, 177 pounds, he can also return kicks.
Proctor was a defensive tackle in college at North Carolina Central University before the Detroit Lions concerted him to an offensive tackle while he was on practice roster last season. At 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, the 25-year-old has also spent time with the New York Giants. These are obviously defensive highights…
https://youtu.be/YPnc1TXFJeg
Williams, 27, played four different offensive line spots in four years at Jackson State University – everywhere except centre – before the 6-foot-8, 335-pounder moved on to the Indoor and Arena Football Leagues. Again versatility will help.
In other news, former Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Dan LeFevour has signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL. LeFevour was at the Saskatchewan Roughriders mini-camp last week and hasn’t played much the last couple of seasons due to injury but still… good for him.
