Five Canadian players have been invited to participate in the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, including twin brothers Chase and Sydney Brown, offensive linemen Matthew Bergeron and Sidy Sow, and defensive lineman Tavius Robinson.
Twin brothers Chase and Sydney Brown from London, Ont. were both invited to the event following standout seasons at the University of Illinois.
Chase, a running back, was awarded the Jon Cornish Trophy recognizing him as the top Canadian player in NCAA football in 2022. He was also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award and named All-Big Ten second team after finishing regular season with 328 carries for 1,643 yards and 10 touchdowns along with 27 receptions for 240 yards and three touchdowns. He was the nation’s second-leading rusher and the top rusher in the Power Five.
Sydney, a defensive back, was named All-Big Ten first team by the conference’s coaches after recording 60 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, seven knockdowns, six interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one sack at safety.
Bergeron started 39 games at offensive tackle over four seasons at the University of Syracuse primarily at the all-important left side. The six-foot-five, 322-pound native of Victoriaville, Que. was named an All-ACC honourable mention in 2021 and All-ACC second team in 2022.
Sow played 56 games over five seasons at Eastern Michigan University, spending time at tackle and guard. The six-foot-five, 326-pound native of Bromont, Que. was named first team All-MAC as a senior in 2021 before returning for a final year of eligibility this past season.
Robinson made 43 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, six sacks, one knockdown, four forced fumbles, and two fumbles recoveries this past season at Ole Miss. The six-foot-seven, 265-pound defender was named a second-team OUA all-star with the University of Guelph Gryphons in 2019 before transferring to the Rebels as a junior in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
These five prospects currently sit atop the most recent edition of the CFL’s scouting bureau rankings ahead of the 2023 CFL Draft.
The Brown twins, Bergeron, and Robinson recently participated in the Senior Bowl, the premier college football all-star game. Chase Brown was named a Practice Player of the Week, as voted on by his opponents.
The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is set to take place in Indianapolis from February 28 to March 6. 319 prospects received invitations to the event in a list that was unveiled by the NFL on Wednesday.
Three Canadians were selected in last year’s NFL draft, including receiver John Metchie III (Houston Texans, round two), defensive back Deane Leonard (Los Angeles Chargers, round seven), and linebacker Jesse Luketa (Arizona Cardinals, round seven).
Other Canadians selected in recent NFL drafts include defensive back Jevon Holland, defensive back Benjamin St-Juste, receiver Josh Palmer, running back Chuba Hubbard, and receiver Chase Claypool.
