T-Bird Products Strut Stuff At CFL National Combine

Winnipeg, MB- They were vital pieces from the 2015 Vanier Cup turnaround story that sent shockwaves across the nation and now both Dakoda Shepley and William Watson are doing their best to turn heads at the 2018 CFL National Combine presented by adidas.

At 6’5 and 290 pounds, Shepley is considered one of the top offensive linemen in what is considered yet another deep draft for the position. Although these evaluations are common practice, the native of Windsor, Ontario admits it is a little bit of a different beast when you’re doing it live in front of the brass from all nine CFL clubs.

“I’m generally a pretty chill guy and don’t let anything get to my head. I just treat it like anything else and don’t stress about it,” Shepley said after running the 40-yard dash and three-cone drill on Saturday.

Committing to UBC proved to be a wise choice for the 2017 Canada West All-Star. In his four years at the Point Grey campus, Shepley started all but one game and was a key member of the unit that protected quarterback Michael O’Connor in the Hardy Cup, Uteck Bowl and Vanier Cup journeys that 2015 provided.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my UBC family,” he said.

“It was coach (Sean) Olson who recruited me and Coach (Blake) Nill who developed me into the player that I am now. I had never visited the west coast prior to my recruiting trip. I went out there with my Dad and as soon as I arrived, I knew I wanted to go there based on the academics at the school. The program wasn’t the best then but they had faith in me, I had faith in them and the rest is history after that.”

Shepley made his mark later Saturday evening by winning the bench press competition with 27 reps at 225 pounds. He will look to take that momentum into Sunday afternoon’s one-on-one drills.

Watson, a wide receiver and product of Semiahmoo Secondary in South Surrey, has a little bit more to prove after missing all but three games in 2017 due to a nagging groin injury. He is one of three prospects that advanced from Thursday’s Western Regional Combine.

“I performed a bit better there than I have here so far,” Watson explained.

“This whole process has just been a great experience, just an awesome time.”

In two previous seasons prior to the injury, Watson racked up over 1,000 yards receiving and had eight touchdowns. He was also a contributor on special teams, returning five kicks for 90 yards. He also acknowledged the combine is best treated as another game situation.

“Just like when we go play, I try to block out all of the noise,” he added.

“Being able to win at UBC has definitely helped me prepare for this and have some extra competitiveness under my belt. I’ve seen a lot of these guys at the East-West game and of them even throughout playoffs in 2015. I want to elevate my game and make the opponents around me elevate theirs as well.”

Team brass including Geroy Simon and Neil McEvoy observe during Saturday’s 40-yard dash event at RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg. Photo: Jason Halstead/CFL.ca

Both prospects have also taken guidance from members of the BC Lions. As a freshman, Shepley established a bond with Jas Dhillon and the two remain close today. Although Dhillon has moved on from football to join the Delta Police Department, Shepley says his mentorship will remain vital as he makes the transition to pro football.

“He’s one of my best buds. It was his last year at UBC when he took me under his wing and treated me like a brother. I still call him after events like this and just to catch up. He’s been a big part of my development as a player.

(2016 Lions draft pick) Boyd Richardson is now with the Vancouver Police Department and he said if football doesn’t work for me we will live together and both be cops,” Shepley chuckled.

Surrey native William Watson running the 40-yard dash on Saturday. Photo: Jason Halstead/CFL.ca

“You can’t predict the future but that’s definitely an option.”

Watson credited Hall of Fame inductee turned Lions super scout Geroy Simon for showing him the ropes and helping him along the professional path.

“I first met Geroy when I was about fifteen and ever since then, having him in my hometown has been such a great experience and to be able to know him on a personal level has made this much better,” Watson said.

“I talked to him at the Regional. He knows what it’s like going through these events.”

And with one more full day of testing to go, there is still time to climb up every team’s draft board.

The Lions will be on the clock at number three overall for the May 3rd CFL Draft.

Combine Day One News and Notes

Shepley and Watson are joined at the National Combine by T-Birds teammate Dagogo Maxwell. The defensive back played in the 2017 East-West Bowl and finished eighth in Canada West with 35 solo tackles.

The day started with the 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and short shuttle.

CFL.ca will live stream the bench press from 5-6:30 PM PT  on Saturday night. Sunday’s activity includes the Broad and Vertical Jump from 7-9:30 AM PT followed by Individual and One-on-One drills from 9 AM-Noon. Results from every event can be seen HERE.

The Lions also hold the 12th, 21st, 38th, 46th and 54th overall picks. Their fourth-round selection (29th overall) now belongs to Ottawa as part of the Odell Willis trade on February 2nd, while their eighth-round selection (63rd overall) went to Saskatchewan with safety Mike Edem on May 12th of last year.

The RBC Convention Centre was abuzz with morning news that Rice offensive lineman and number four ranked prospect Peter Godber was sent home after choosing not to take part in Saturday’s drills.

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com