Nine Bisons are heading to CFL Combines

The Manitoba Bisons football team will have nine players (most among CIS football schools) heading to the 2015 National CFL Combine held in Toronto from March 27-29 and Edmonton Regional CFL Combine on March 23.

Slotback/kick returner Nic Demski, running back/kick returner Kienan LaFrance and quarterback Jordan Yantz are invited to 2015 National Canadian Football League (CFL) Combine while defensive backs Tremaine Apperley, Jordan Linnen; linebackers Mitchell Harrison, Jonathan Jones; offensive lineman Rob Smith and wide receiver Matt Sawyer will be attending the regional combine in Edmonton.

In the latest CFL Scouting Bureau (published in December 2014) ranking of this season's prospects eligible for the 2015 CFL Draft, Demski was ranked at No. 5.

Bison football head coach Brian Dobie, into his 20th season at Manitoba, commented, "It is with great pride that we have nine Bisons attending both CFL combines for the a chance to be drafted at the 2015 CFL Draft in May. All players have exhibited hard work ethic in preparing for the combines and to earn an opportunity to continue to play football at the next level. We wish them all the best in their pursuit to play in the CFL."

Demski, 21, was named as 2014 CIS Football Second Team All-Canadian and 2014 Canada West All-Star. The Winnipeg native made Bison history as the first player to be named on four CIS All-Canadian teams. Demski was named to a fourth consecutive CIS All-Canadian Team in his fourth season at Manitoba. In the 2014 season, he earned his second CIS selection at inside receiver position (CIS Second Team All-Canadian in 2013) after two other selections as All-Canadian at kick returner (CIS First Team All-Canadian in 2012; Second Team in 2011) in his first four seasons at Manitoba. In his second full season at the slotback position, the 6'0", 215 lbs. player was fifth in Canada West (18th in CIS) with 589 receiving yards in only six conference regular season games. He was first in CIS and Canada West in receiving yard average at 21.8 and tied for third in conference (tied for ninth in CIS) with five receiving touchdowns (tied for seventh in Canada West in overall TDs with six). Plus, Demski was fourth in conference (17th in CIS) all-purpose yards at 923. He was also a finalist for the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association (MSSA) for Manitoba's Male Athlete of the Year in 2014.

LaFrance, 23, was a 2014 Canada West All-Star, a first time conference all-star, in his fourth season with the Bisons. In his first year as starting tailback in 2014, the Winnipeg native finished second in conference with 785 rushing yards and tied for first in overall touchdowns in Canada West with ten. His seven rushing TDs also was tied for fourth in the conference and LaFrance was third in all-purpose yards in Canada West with 1.058.

Fifth year quarterback (second year at Manitoba) Jordan Yantz, 24, was a captain for the second straight season during 2014. The Regina native finished his Bison career with 1,619 passing yards (fifth in conference) on 111-197 passing and ten passing TDs while rushing for 242 yards (13th in Canada West) on 35 carries and six rush TDs in six conference regular season games in 2014. In his first season with the Bisons in 2013, Yantz was a 2013 Canada West All-Star and led the nation with 25 passing TDs with only six interceptions, along with fourth in CIS with 2,474 passing yards plus 396 rushing yards, good for eighth in conference in 2013.

Bison Notes: The Bisons have six players invited to be at the CFL regional combine that takes place in Edmonton on Monday, March 23. The CFL, with input from all teams, will invite additional players from the regional combines to the National Combine in Toronto depending on player performance.

Apperley, 25, was a first time conference all-star, in his second season with the Bisons (fifth year eligibility), in 2014. He started in all eight conference games in 2014 and was tied for 18th in Canada West with 33 total tackles plus was tied for third with seven break-ups. The Regina native also had one tackle for a loss.

Linnen, 25, was a first time conference all-star, in his second season with the Herd (fifth year eligibility), in 2014. He started in all eight conference games in 2014 and was tied for 22nd in Canada West with 31 total tackles plus was tied for first with three fumble recoveries. In addition, the Surrey, BC native had three break-ups, good for tenth in conference and one forced fumble.

Fifth year linebacker (second year at Manitoba) Jonathan Jones, 24, had a strong 2014 season. He started in all eight conference games in 2014 and was tied for 36th in Canada West with 27.5 total tackles plus was tied for fourth with four break-ups. The Niagara Falls, ON native added one interception, one forced fumble and one sack.

Harrison, 22, continued to impress in the 2014 campaign in his fourth season at Manitoba. He started in all eight conference games in 2014 and was tied for 26th in Canada West with 30 total tackles plus was tied for fourth with four break-ups. The Winnipeg native added two sacks.

Fifth year offensive lineman (second year at Manitoba) offensive lineman Rob Smith, 25, was a captain for the first time at Manitoba in 2014. Smith was a key component of the 'O' line as they created running lanes and provided pass protection for Yantz throughout last two seasons.

Sawyer, 25, finished his second year with the Bisons (fifth year eligibility) and was named as a first time conference all-star in 2014. He finished 11th in conference receiving with 451 yards and tied for ninth in receiving yard average at 14.1. The Regina native also was tied for third in Canada West with five receiving TDs.

For more information, contact Bison Football Head Coach Brian Dobie at 204-474-9627.

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