12 Canadian prospects for Global teams to target
When it comes to recruiting import talent, teams across the Global football landscape focus on the wealth of American prospects coming out of NCAA programs. However, the United States is not the only country with a robust collegiate and professional football ecosystem.
Canadian players, most notably those from U Sports schools, are often overlooked by Global teams. The Great White North offers a wealth of untapped talent, many of whom will have more high-level pro experience than their average small-school American counterpart.
Here are 12 high-level Canadian prospects available right now that should be targeted by Global teams.
For further details, film, contact info, and more testing information please refer to player’s profiles on the ALL22 scouting app, or contact J.C. Abbott.
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QB Jack Zergiotis — Merrimack College (2022) | University of Connecticut (2019-2021)
HT: 6005 | WT: 216 | BP: 8 | VJ: 25.5 | BJ: 8071 | 40 YD: N/A | SS: 4.69 | 3C: 7.33
College stats: 18 GP | 240 ATT | 452 CMP | 53.1 PCT | 2,774 YDS | 19 TD | 17 INT | 2 RTD
Previous pro experience: Montreal Alouettes (2023 Training Camp Internship)
A former true freshman starter at UConn, Zergiotis struggled with consistency on a bad team and eventually transferred to the FCS level. Despite brief success there, he attempted a return to Canada but was unable to play in 2023 due to eligibility issues. He’s a short, thick-bodied passer with huge hands and limited athleticism, but shows some ability to step up and out of the pocket. Has an easy arm with the ability to throw off platform or from strange angles, but does so more than he should. Sloppy footwork leads to an inconsistent delivery and throws off of his back foot. His brash play style often verges on recklessness, with a tendency to force the ball into dangerous areas, but he generates big plays as a result. Deficient decision-making limited him as a North American pro prospect but his intriguing physical tools make him a potential high-level starter for a European club willing to tolerate a few turnovers.
Film:
REC Chris Osei-Kusi — University of Windsor (2019) | Queen’s University (2015-18)
HT: 6003 | WT: 192 | BP: 19 | VJ: 35.5 | BJ: 9077 | 40 YD: 4.47 | SS: 4.31 | 3C: 7.19
College stats: 35 GP | 160 REC | 2,422 YDS | 10 TD | 17 CAR | 178 YDS | 1 TD | 16 KR | 360 YDS | 14 PR | 239 YDS | 1 TD
Previous pro experience: Cleveland Browns (2019 Rookie Camp) | Montreal Alouettes (2019-21) | Edmonton Elks (2021-22) | Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2023) — 29 GP | 9 REC | 92 YDS
Osei-Kusi’s professional production never quite lived up to his impressive physical skillset but he is still just 26 years of age. His explosiveness and top-end speed would both be considered elite at the European level, with a wealth of professional experience not easily found overseas. He has the potential to be a legitimate deep threat who can blow past defenders, though his route running remains unrefined. Has expressed interest in potentially playing abroad, though the opportunity would have to be significant given that he also holds a law degree and has other business interests.
Film:
RB Jamel Lyles — University of Manitoba (2015, 2017-18)
HT: 5114 | WT: 202 | BP: 17 | VJ: 33 | BJ: 9087 | 40 YD: 4.64 | SS: 4.44 | 3C: 7.25
College stats: 26 GP | 313 CAR | 2,029 YDS | 7 TD | 39 REC | 452 YDS | 2 TD | 47 KR | 1,033 YDS | 1 TD | 68 PR | 722 YDS | 1 TD
Previous pro experience: B.C. Lions (2019-21) | Edmonton Elks (2022) — 7 GP | 11 CAR | 86 YDS | 3 REC | 10 YDS | 6 KR | 114 YDS
A triple-threat playmaker, Lyles’ prolific college career was interrupted only by a record-setting year in the Canadian Junior Football League. Despite his chiselled frame, he lacks physicality as both a runner and blocker but displays good vision and an explosive burst with the ball in his hands. Offers a versatile option out of the backfield with reliable hands and is a potentially game-breaking return threat at the European level, particularly in the ELF-style kickoff format. Lyles has been out of football for over a year but remains ready for a return and should be a priority target for inquiry.
DB Zach Herzog — University of British Columbia (2022) | Hillsdale College (2017-2021)
HT: 5084 | WT: 192 | BP: 17 | VJ: 36.5 | BJ: 9104 | 40 YD: 4.72 | SS: 4.15 | 3C: 7.03
College stats: 41 GP | 293 TT | 7 TFL | 1 SCK | 3 FF | 1 FR | 4 INT | 13 PD
Previous pro experience: Saskatchewan Roughriders (2022 Training Camp) | Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2023)
A prolific college safety who had success at both the NCAA Division II and U Sports levels, Herzog’s pro prospects were severely limited due to his average top-end speed and diminutive frame. Against lower-level competition, those deficiencies have been compensated by his exceptional change of direction and very good mental processing which allows him to read the quarterback’s eyes and drive on routes with a mental headstart. He’s a reliable wrap tackler in space who shows a willingness to get his nose dirty but can get taken for a ride by bigger-bodied runners. A defensive leader who can command a secondary in Europe and be a presence from sideline to sideline.
Film:
DL Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal - Universite de Montreal (2017-2022)
HT: 6043 | WT: 243 | BP: 9 | VJ: 28.5 | BJ: 8010 | 40 YD: 5.00 | SS: 4.39 | 3C: 7.10
College stats: 35 GP | 72.5 TT | 20 TFL | 19.5 SCK | 4 FF | 2 FR | 1 INT | 5 PD
Previous pro experience: Ottawa Redblacks (2023 Training Camp)
A veteran defensive end with the ability to play three-tech on passing downs if needed, Lemieux-Cardinal had a decorated collegiate career which included two All-Canadian selections and being named a finalist for the country’s top lineman award. He’s an upright rusher whose lack of explosiveness and play strength led to him being undrafted in the CFL. However, his high motor, solid hand usage, and very good bend would allow him to be successful in Europe. An average run defender who struggles versus size, he could still upgrade the pass rush rotation for a number of ELF clubs and should be a priority target for teams below that level.
Film:
DL Van Wishart — Queen’s University (2017-2023)
HT: 6037 | WT: 258 | BP: 20 | VJ: 29 | BJ: 9034 | 40 YD: N/A | SS: 4.56 | 3C: 7.63
College stats: 34 GP | 84 TT | 15.5 TFL | 15.5 SCK | 1 FR
Previous pro experience: None (2024 CFL Combine attendee)
A rugged and positionally sound defensive end, Wishart has the size and play strength to provide inside-outside versatility at the next level. He lacks the burst or bend to consistently threaten off the edge, but has good hand placement and flashes the knockback power to collapse the pocket. A solid run defender and an effective looper on stunts, he would be well-suited in a mid-tier European league where his athletic limitations are hidden.
Film:
REC James Basalyga — University of Waterloo (2018-2023)
HT: 5106 | WT: 188 | BP: 9 | VJ: 39.5 | BJ: 9087 | 40 YD: 4.56 | SS: 4.39 | 3C: 7.31
College stats: 37 GP | 112 REC | 1,979 YDS | 15 TD
Previous pro experience: Saskatchewan Roughriders (2023 Training Camp)
A slight-framed slot receiver with average height, Basalyga lacked the physicality to survive as a special teamer on the back end of a CFL roster. That should not discount his explosive burst and very good long speed which allowed him to be a dangerous deep threat throughout his college career. He’s an average route runner who can throttle down out of breaks and loses out on contested catches due to his size. However, he stacks defenders with ease on vertical routes and separates downfield to create big plays. Basalyga is very eager to play in Europe and would be an excellent fit at the sub-ELF level.
Film:
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