Syracuse OL Matthew Bergeron tops final edition of 2023 CFL Scouting Bureau rankings

Photo courtesy: AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

There is a new player atop the final CFL Scouting Bureau rankings, as Syracuse University offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron has overtaken twin brothers Chase and Sydney Brown in the spring edition of the prospect list.

The six-foot-five, 318-pound left tackle moved up four spots from the winter edition of the list, where he was ranked fifth. He is currently projected to be a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after attending the NFL Combine in March.

The native of Victoriaville, Que. recorded 39 consecutive starts over the course of his four-year collegiate career with the Orange, twice being named an All-ACC selection and earning second-team status in 2022. He also received an invite to the prestigious Reese’s Senior Bowl all-star game, excelling against top draft prospects.

Trailing Bergeron in the top five were University of Illinois running back Chase Brown, University of Illinois safety Sydney Brown, University of Mississippi defensive end Tavius Robinson, and Eastern Michigan University offensive lineman Sidy Sow. All five prospects attended the NFL Combine and are expected to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, decreasing their CFL draft stock.

Université de Montréal linebacker Michael Brodrique claimed the title of the top U Sports prospect, coming in at No. 11 after a stellar CFL Combine performance. Two players made their first appearance on the list in the final rankings, Northern Illinois University receiver Cole Tucker at No. 12 and University of Saskatchewan offensive lineman Dayton Black at No. 20.

Dropping off the list entirely were a pair of defensive tackles, Mount Allison University’s Reece Martin and Charleston Southern University’s Quintin Seguin, who were ranked 17th and 19th in January respectively.

The full list can be read below.

CFL SCOUTING BUREAU: SPRING EDITION
(Rank (Previous) | Name | Position | School | Hometown)

  • 1 (5) | Matthew Bergeron | OL | Syracuse | Victoriaville, Que.
  • 2 (1) | Chase Brown | RB | Illinois | London, Ont.
  • 3 (2) | Sydney Brown | DB | Illinois | London, Ont.
  • 4 (3) | Tavius Robinson | DL | Mississippi | Guelph, Ont.
  • 5 (4) | Sidy Sow | OL | Eastern Michigan | Bromont, Que.
  • 6 (6) | Jared Wayne | WR | Pittsburgh | Peterborough, Ont.
  • 7 (7) | Dontae Bull | OL | Fresno State | Victoria
  • 8 (9) | Jonathan Sutherland | DB | Penn State | Ottawa
  • 9 (8) | Lwal Uguak | DL | TCU | Edmonton
  • 10 (12) | Francis Bemiy | DL | Southern Utah | Montreal
  • 11 (15) | Michael Brodrique | LB | Montreal | Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que.
  • 12 (–) | Cole Tucker | WR | Northern Illinois | DeKalb, Ill.
  • 13 (10) | Lake Korte-Moore | DL | UBC | Ottawa
  • 14 (14) | Clark Barnes | WR | Guelph | Brampton, Ont.
  • 15 (11) | Siriman Bagayogo | DB | Guelph | Bois-des-Filion, Que.
  • 16 (13) | Anthony Bennett | DL | Regina | Weston, Fla.
  • 17 (20) | Phillip Grohovac | OL | Western | Victoria
  • 18 (18) | Jacob Taylor | DB | Alberta | Beaumont, Alta.
  • 19 (16) | James Peter | LB | Ottawa | Ottawa
  • 20 (–) | Dayton Black | OL | Saskatchewan | Brandon, Man.

The CFL Scouting Bureau rankings are assembled by CFL scouts, as well as the player personnel directors and general managers from the league’s nine clubs. It annually releases its rankings in the fall, winter and spring ahead of the CFL Draft.

This year’s final list includes five offensive linemen, five defensive linemen, four defensive backs, three wide receivers, two linebackers, and one running back. 11 of the prospects hail from NCAA programs, while nine come from the Canadian U Sports ranks.

The 2023 CFL Draft will take place on Tuesday, May 2, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The Ottawa Redblacks currently hold the first overall selection.