LSU DB Ty Benefield tops 2027 CFL Draft preseason scouting bureau rankings

Photo: LSU. Photo edit: 3DownNation.

Canadian defensive back Ty Benefield has topped the first edition of the 2027 CFL Draft scouting bureau rankings.

The soon-to-be 21-year-old transferred to Louisiana State University (LSU) for his senior season. He previously played at Boise State University, where he earned a first-team All-Mountain West selection at safety in 2025.

The six-foot-three, 208-pound defender played 41 games with the Broncos, recording 235 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 16 pass knockdowns, five interceptions, three sacks, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.

The Vancouver native is the son of longtime CFL player Daved Benefield. He is widely regarded as a potential Day 2 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, which could reduce his CFL stock.

The list features eight defensive linemen, five offensive linemen, two defensive backs, two running backs, two receivers, and one linebacker.

There is only one U Sports prospect on the list: Laurier receiver Ryan Hughes, who comes in at number 17. However, defensive back Jordan Lessard (no. 7) and offensive lineman Dolapo Egunjobi (no. 8) spent time with Laval and Manitoba, respectively, before transferring to NCAA programs.

The CFL’s scouting bureau is comprised of scouts, player personnel directors, and general managers. Rankings are released three times per year — once in the fall, once in the winter, and once in the spring.

1 | Ty Benefield | DB | LSU | Altadena, Calif.

2 | Bryce Butler | DL | Texas Tech | Toronto

3 | Nick Osho | RB | North Texas | Burnaby, B.C.

4 | Edwin Kolenge | DL | Vanderbilt | Montreal

5 | Nicolas Cruji | OL | Charlotte | Toronto

6 | Nicolas Kalume | DL | Arkansas State | London, Ont.

7 | Jordan Lessard | DB | Colorado State | Montreal

8 | Dolapo Egunjobi | OL | UT Martin | Winnipeg

9 | Chris Dixon | DL | South Dakota | Toronto

10 | Leif Magnuson | OL | Cal Poly | Saskatoon

11 | Isaiah Hastings | DL | Syracuse | Toronto

12 | Nolan Latulippe | OL | Cincinnati | Aylmer, Que.

13 | Elijah St. John | DL | Purdue | Ottawa

14 | Dre Delinois | LB | East Tennessee State | Chicoutimi, Que.

15 | Gideon Bedada | DL | Bryant | Calgary

16 | Mateo Lucero | OL | Tennessee Tech | Brampton, Ont.

17 | Ryan Hughes | WR | Wilfrid Laurier | Mississauga, Ont.

18 | B.J. Barrow | RB | Rhode Island | Etobicoke, Ont.

19 | Ebenezer Bedada | DL | Campbell | Calgary

20 | Xavier Gaillardetz | WR | East Tennessee State | Trois-Rivières, Que.

For the first time, the CFL also revealed five honourable mentions who finished outside the top 20. They included Laurier linebacker Jessie Wilkins-Flaricee, Manitoba offensive lineman Sean Rowe, Kentucky quarterback Cal Wither, New Hampshire receiver Josh Fillion, and Queen’s tight end Mateo Tuioti.

The 2026 CFL Canadian Draft is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 13.