Have you ever heard of players who were drafted later than expected but went on to become stars in the Canadian Football League? It’s a fascinating phenomenon that proves talent is not always measured by draft round. Let’s explore the stories of five CFL hidden gems who exceeded all expectations and made a significant impact on the league.
“Which round a player was drafted does not always correlate to how good they turn out to be.”
Draft day is filled with anticipation and excitement as teams select their future stars, hoping to find the next big talent. However, history has shown us that greatness can emerge from unexpected places. Some of the most remarkable CFL players have been those who were chosen in the later rounds or even went undrafted.
“There are also a lot of cases of players selected later in the CFL Draft that became All-CFL calibre stars.”
One such example is linebacker Ben Hladik, whose journey from being a third-round pick by the BC Lions in 2021 to becoming one of the most respected linebackers in the league is nothing short of inspirational. Hladik, a UBC product, proved his worth with impressive stats – 223 tackles, 10 sacks, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles in just 53 games.
Another standout player is receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker from the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Despite being drafted in the fourth round in 2020, Schaffer-Baker showcased his exceptional skills on the field with 205 receptions for 2,688 yards and 14 touchdowns during his time with the Green and White. Injuries may have slowed him down at times, but his talent remains undeniable.
“Stavros Katsantonis was also ranked highly for coverage according to Pro Football Focus.”
Defensive back Stavros Katsantonis of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is another prime example of a late-round steal. Selected in the fourth round of the 2020 Draft, Katsantonis quickly established himself as a key contributor to his team’s defense. With 131 tackles and six interceptions over 55 games, he has proven to be a reliable presence on the field.
Moving on to Kurleigh Gittens Jr., a receiver drafted by Toronto Argonauts in 2019’s third round. Gittens Jr.’s impact was felt immediately as he caught passes for over 2,200 yards and ten touchdowns while donning Double Blue colors. His consistency led him to Edmonton Elks post-trade where he continued to shine brightly with impressive stats.
Among these hidden gems is running back Jeshrun Antwi from Montreal Alouettes’ sixth-round pick class of 2019. Antwi proved his worth by showcasing versatility both as a rusher and pass-catcher during his tenure with Als before adding depth to BC Lions’ roster post-trade.
The stories of these players serve as testaments to resilience, skill development post-draft day snubs or lower picks yet making it big through hard work perseverance might just pay off long-term success giving hope aspiring athletes push through challenges reach their goals despite initial setbacks uncertainties journey professional sports leagues like CFL anyone willing put effort dedication can achieve dreams come true football field gridiron awaits next wave rising stars ready make their mark wherever they land within league.
