Football 6/19/2017 12:00:00 AM

Gryphons in the CFL

Guelph, ON – With the Canadian Football League set to kickoff their 2017 regular season on Thursday (June 22), we thought we would take a moment to highlight the former Gryphon football players who currently make a living in the CFL. Whether on the roster, the sidelines, or in the front office, listed below are 14 individuals who have successfully carried their Gryphon Pride into the CFL ranks.

Former Gryphons Currently Playing in the CFL (10):

Rob Maver (Calgary Stampeders)
Cam Thorn (Calgary Stampeders)
Jake Reinhart (Toronto Argonauts)
Cam Walker (Toronto Argonauts)
Curtis Newton (Toronto Argonauts)
Jeff Finley (Toronto Argonauts)
Ryan Bomben (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Jacob Scarfone (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Alex Charette (Montreal Alouettes)
John Rush (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)

Former Gryphons Currently Working in the CFL (4):

Kyle Walters (General Manager - Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Mike O'Shea (Head Coach - Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Jarryd Baines (Offensive Assistant - Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Marcello Simmons (Special Teams Coordinator – B.C. Lions)

#6 ROB MAVER (K/P) – CALGARY STAMPEDERS

AS A GRYPHON (2006 to 2009)

To this day, Rob Maver remains the Gryphons all-time leading scorer after having accounted for 290 total points during his outstanding 4-year career at U of G. Maver was named an OUA All-Star in each of his four seasons with the Gryphons, and was named a CIS All-Canadian in 2008 as both a punter and place kicker. In 2009 he was nearly perfect, connecting on 13 of his 14 field goal attempts (92.9%) while also leading the OUA with a 41.3 yard punting average. Following his university career, he was the only kicker in the country invited to the CFL's 2010 evaluation camp.

IN THE CFL (2010 to present)

Rob Maver was drafted 5th overall by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2010 CFL Draft. In his first season, he claimed the CFL scoring title with 185 points which remains a Stampeders record for points by a rookie. Maver was named a CFL West Division All-Star Punter three straight seasons (2012, 2013 & 2014) and was a Grey Cup champion in 2014. On August 28, 2016, Maver played in his 100th CFL game. During the 2016 season, Maver posted a career-best punting average of 46.9 yards and kicked seven punts that had opposing offences starting from inside their own 10-yard line.

#64 RYAN BOMBEN (OL) – HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

AS A GRYPHON (2006 to 2009)

At the University of Guelph, not only was Ryan Bomben one of the most talented players on the roster, he was also one of the hardest working. By his senior season with the Gryphons, Bomben had developed into a First Team OUA All-Star and was a big reason why CIS All-Canadian running back Nick FitzGibbon and OUA All-Star quarterback Justin Dunk were able to flourish.

IN THE CFL (2010 to present)

Ryan Bomben was drafted in the 4th round of the 2010 CFL Draft by the Montreal Alouettes. Bomben is a player who is extremely athletic for his size (6-foot-4, 305 pounds). This athleticism was on display in 2012 when the big man hauled in a touchdown pass from Anthony Calvillo in a game against the Edmonton Eskimos.

Bomben was acquired by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in May of 2015 in exchange for two draft picks (8th overall and 21st overall) and has developed into one of the most reliable Canadian-born o-lineman in the league. In 2016, Bomben started in all 18 regular season games at right guard for the Tiger-Cats and was named Hamilton's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and a CFL East Division All-Star. He played in his 100th CFL game on October 21, 2016 at Ottawa.

#58 CAM THORN (OL) – CALGARY STAMPEDERS

AS A GRYPHON (2009 to 2013)

Cam Thorn burst onto the scene at Alumni Stadium in 2009 and was named the Gryphons Rookie of the Year. After attending the East West Bowl in 2012 as a defensive lineman, Cam would switch over to the o-line in advance of the 2013 CFL combine. After being drafted in the 7th round of the 2013 CFL draft by the B.C. Lions, Cam returned to the Gryphons for his fifth and final season where he established himself as one of the top offensive lineman in the country as a Second Team CIS All-Canadian.

IN THE CFL (2014 to present)

In his rookie season in the CFL, Cam Thorn dressed for all 18 regular season games for the B.C. Lions as the club's sixth offensive lineman. He saw action in short yardage situations as well as on special teams. After two seasons in B.C., Thorn joined the Stampeders and appeared in 13 games and made three starts at centre and one at left guard during his first season in Calgary. In 2016, Thorn was part of a Stamps offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the CFL and helped Jerome Messam win the CFL rushing title. Thorn was also in uniform for the Western Final before missing the Grey Cup due to a knee injury.

#49 JEFF FINLEY (DL) – TORONTO ARGONAUTS

AS A GRYPHON (2010 to 2013)

Jeff Finley's rookie season with the Gryphons was cut short after suffering a dislocated elbow versus Concordia in a preseason game. After recovering from that injury, Finley would go on to become one of the most dominant players in the CIS at his position. Despite the fact that he was originally recruited to Guelph as a defensive end, Jeff was soon converted to defensive tackle. At approximately 250 pounds, he was considered to be somewhat undersized for the nose guard position, but proved week-in-week-out to be the most disruptive player on the field. Finley was also a highly respected player off the field and was named a team captain in his senior season of 2013.

IN THE CFL (2014 to present)

In February of 2017, Finley signed with the Toronto Argonauts. The 6-3, 260-pound native of St. Catharines, Ontario, played three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, who selected him in the third round (22^nd overall) of the 2014 CFL Draft. In 20 regular season games in three seasons with the Als, he recorded seven defensive tackles and three special teams tackles.

#58 JAKE REINHART (LS) – TORONTO ARGONAUTS

AS A GRYPHON (2008 to 2012)

Jake Reinhart played linebacker and long snapper for the Gryphons for five years. In 2010, he was named the recipient of the Gryphon Special Teams Award and in 2011 was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year. Aside from succeeding on the field, Reinhart also excelled in the classroom as he was named a CIS Academic All-Canadian in 2012.

IN THE CFL (2014 to present)

Jake Reinhart was signed by the Toronto Argonauts as a free agent on April 15, 2014. During the 2014 CFL season, Reinhart played in all 18 games as the team's long snapper. He has also become known for his trick-shot long-snapping abilities. From atop Alumni Stadium, to accepting the 'Crossbar Challenge' from the Canadian Women's Soccer team, there's not much this long snapping professional can't do!

In December of 2016, the Argos announced they had signed Reinhart to an extension through the 2018 season.

Reinhart, a 6-0, 200-pound native of Guelph, Ontario has played in all 54 regular season games in his three seasons with the Double Blue. The University of Guelph product has registered 15 special teams tackles and 10 defensive tackles while handling long-snapping duties over the past three seasons.

#75 CAM WALKER (DE) – TORONTO ARGONAUTS

AS A GRYPHON (2011 to 2014)

Cam Walker was the Gryphons Defensive Player of the Year in each of his final two seasons at Guelph. During his four year career at U of G, the London native was named an OUA All-Star on three occasions and showcased tremendous versatility by excelling on special teams, at linebacker and most recently at defensive end. In 2014, Walker recorded 37.5 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles.

IN THE CFL (2015 to present)

Cam Walker was drafted in the 3rd round (21st overall) by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2015 CFL Draft. As former Argos G.M. Jim Barker noted, "Cam Walker has a great body-type and he reminds me of my former college roommate Clay Matthews Sr. He is in great shape, has a high motor, and we believe he will be an excellent special teams player." In 2016, Walker played in nine regular season games in his second season with the Double Blue, registering six special teams tackles before suffering a season-ending foot injury

#45 CURTIS NEWTON (LB) – TORONTO ARGONAUTS

AS A GRYPHON (2012 to 2015)

Curtis Newton helped anchor the Gryphon defence during his outstanding four-year playing career at U of G (2012-15). Alongside John Rush, Newton helped form one of the most potent linebacking corps in the country and during his four years, registered 139 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, seven quarterback sacks, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and six pass breakups with the Gryphons. In 2014, Newton was named a CIS Second Team All-Canadian and in his senior year in 2015 was named an OUA Second Team All-Star while helping guide the Gryphons to a Yates Cup championship.

IN THE CFL (2016 to present)

Newton was selected by the Argos in the fifth round (40th overall) of the 2016 CFL Draft. Curtis made his CFL debut on June 30, 2016 versus Saskatchewan and appeared in 16 games with the Argos during his rookie year, recording 5 special teams tackles.

#84 ALEX CHARETTE (REC) – MONTREAL ALOUETTES

AS A GRYPHON (2011 to 2014)

In his four years as a Gryphon, Alex Charette developed into one of the most dynamic, play-making receivers in the entire CIS. By his third season at U of G, Charette was named the team's co-MVP and was able to carry that success into his senior season. In 2014, Charette led the Gryphons in receptions (62), receiving yards (742) and receiving touchdowns (7) en route to being named an OUA All-Star. Highlighting an impressive senior season with the Gryphons was Charette's performance against the then-No. 4 Western Mustangs in which he hauled in 13 receptions for 188 yards and a touchdown in a thrilling 49-46 victory.

IN THE CFL (2015 to present)

Charette was selected by the Montreal Alouettes in the fourth round (36th overall) of the 2015 CFL Draft. After earning a spot on special teams with the Alouettes during his rookie year, the former Guelph Gryphons star receiver increasingly saw more action on the offensive side of the ball. In the last game of the 2015 season, against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at McGill's Stadium in Montreal, Charette caught a career-high five passes. His 2016 season was de-railed due to injury, but the play-making receiver will now battle for playing time in a receiving corps that is as deep as any time in the CFL when it comes to non-import options at receiver.

#32 JOHN RUSH (FB) – WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

AS A GRYPHON (2011 to 2015)

John Rush put together an incredible five year playing career at the University of Guelph. During his senior season in 2015, Rush led the Gryphons to a Yates Cup title where he was named the recipient of the Dalt White Award as Yates Cup MVP. During John's outstanding 2015 season, he was named a First Team All-Star at both the OUA and CIS level. At the Vanier Cup banquet in Quebec City, Rush was named the recipient of the CIS President's Trophy as the top stand-up defensive player in the country. He became the first Gryphon football player to ever receive the national honour. He was also named the University of Guelph's Male Athlete of the Year.

IN THE CFL (rookie)

After starring at linebacker for five years with the Gryphons, John Rush was signed by the Bombers and attended the team's 2016 training camp before being released prior to the 2016 season. Rush, who spent the 2016 football season playing junior football with the Hamilton Hurricanes, has once again been picked up by the Bombers, and is now set to make his CFL debut in 2017. In Rush's second stint with the Bombers, he has been asked to take on a new position, moving from linebacker to fullback. All reports suggest Rush has excelled during this tranisition, and those linebacker instincts will still be on display as the Niagara Falls native is also expected to contribute on special teams.

#86 JACOB SCARFONE (REC) – HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

AS A GRYPHON (2013 to 2016)

Despite missing the entire 2016 season due to a knee injury (suffered during a team practice in the Spring of 2016), the Hamilton Tiger-Cats had still seen enough from Jacob Scarfone's sensational 2015 campaign to use their fifth pick of the draft on the play-making receiver. Scarfone, a fourth year Management Economics and Finance major, put together one of the greatest single-season receiving performances in school history in 2015. The London, Ontario native set a U of G single-season record with 940 receiving yards in 2015, surpassing Jeff Keegan's mark of 936 receiving yards which was set back in 2005. The 6'1, 188lbs wide receiver also hauled in 10 touchdown receptions during 2015, ranking him second in school history behind only Parri Ceci's 11 TD catches in 1984. Scarfone's 57 receptions during 2015 also rank him second on U of G's all-time list behind only Frank Marouf who holds the single-season record with 60 catches back in 1991. Scarfone, who was part of the Gryphons Yates Cup championship team in 2015, was also named a 2nd Team All-Canadian that same year.

IN THE CFL (rookie)

Scarfone was drafted by Hamilton in the 6th round (47th overall) of the 2017 CFL Draft. After working hard during the off-season to rehab his knee, Scarfone impressed during Ticats training camp and has earned a spot on Hamilton's practice roster to start the 2017 CFL season. Until Scarfone dresses in a regular season CFL game, there is still the possibility that the play-making receiver could return to Guelph for his fifth and final season with the Gryphons. For now, Scarfone will be competing for playing time alongside a strong list of Canadian-born receivers on Hamilton's roster, including the likes of Giovanni Aprile (Queen's), Felix Faubert-Lussier (Laval) and Mike Jones (Southern University).

KYLE WALTERS – GENERAL MANAGER, WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

AS A GRYPHON (1992 to 1996)

During his playing career as a Gryphon, Kyle Walters won two Yates Cup titles (in '92 & '96), was a two-time OUAA All-Star as well as a CIAU All-Canadian. After his playing days, Walters would return to U of G as a coach, serving as Defensive Coordinator in 2004-2005 and Head Coach from 2006-2009.

IN THE CFL

Kyle Walters was drafted 10th overall by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 1996 CFL Draft. Playing safety and halfback, he helped the Ticats capture the Grey Cup in 1999. His 78 special teams tackles rank fourth all-time in Ticats history and he was named a team captain in each of his final three seasons in Hamilton. Following his CFL playing days, Walters held numerous titles before landing his current job as G.M. of the Blue Bombers in November of 2013.

2003 – Assistant Special Teams Coach (Hamilton)
2010-2012 – Special Teams Coordinator & Running Backs Coach (Winnipeg)
2013 – Assistant G.M. & Director of Canadian Scouting (Winnipeg)
Nov. 26, 2013 – General Manager (Winnipeg)

In 2016, Walters took the Bombers to the playoffs for the first time in five years. The 2017 season will mark Kyle's seventh year with the Bombers organization.

MIKE O'SHEA – HEAD COACH, WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

AS A GRYPHON (1989 to 1992)

Mike O'Shea was a star linebacker for the Gryphons from 1989-1992. To this day, he remains the Gryphons all-time sacks leader (19) and sits 4th in school history in total career tackles (310). In his senior season, he was named a CIAU All-Canadian and the OUAA's Defensive Player of the Year while leading his team to a Yates Cup title. That same year, Mike was also named the University of Guelph's Male Athlete of the Year and represented U of G in the East-West Shrine Game in California. He was inducted into the Gryphon Hall of Fame on September 21st, 2007.

IN THE CFL

Mike O'Shea was drafted in the 1st round of the 1993 CFL draft by the Edmonton Eskimos and was immediately traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The North Bay, Ontario native played 16 seasons in the CFL, spending 12 seasons with the Toronto Argonauts and four with the Ticats. In 2006, he became the first Canadian-born player ever, and just the third player overall in CFL history, to record 1,000 career tackles. He retired as a three-time Grey Cup champion (1996, 1997, 2004) and in total, appeared in 271 regular season CFL games – the most ever by a defensive player. He is second on the CFL's all-time tackles list (1,151) and was a five-time East Division All-Star. In 1999 he was named the league's Most Outstanding Canadian.

After his playing days in the CFL, O'Shea moved into the coaching ranks. After spending four seasons as the Special Teams Coordinator for the Argos, Mike took over as the Head Coach of the Blue Bombers on December 4th, 2013. In 2016, O'Shea led the Bombers to an 11-7 record, the club's best record in over a decade. The 11-win season included the league's best road record at 7-2, while also rattling off seven straight wins after starting the season 1-4.

MARCELLO SIMMONS – SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR, B.C. LIONS

AS A GRYPHON (2011)

Marcello Simmons spent one season as a Gryphon, serving as the team's defensive backs coach in 2011. That season, a pair of Gryphons were named OUA All-Stars, both of which came from the Gryphons secondary. Both Sebastian Howard and Bryan Dunjko blossomed under Coach Simmons' guidance, each earning the title of OUA Second Team All-Stars. Dunkjo finished 2nd in the OUA with 4 interceptions. As a team, the Gryphons racked up 11 interceptions in 2011 (5th in OUA) while ranking 2nd in the conference by allowing just 213.9 passing yards per game.

IN THE CFL

Marcello returns for his second season with the Lions in 2017 as the club's special teams coordinator. In 2016, Marcello presided over a squad that produced two West Division and CFL All-Stars including punter Richie Leone and dynamic return man Chris Rainey. In his 15 years of coaching, Marcello has worked with the Argos, Eskimos, Ticats and Lions while also gaining some coaching experience both at the Canadian university level as well as a brief stint in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks.

Marcello Simmons Coaching Bio:

2016 - present:	B.C. Lions (Special Teams Coordinator)
2014 - 2015:	Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Defensive & Special Teams Assistant)
2013:	St. Mary's Huskies (Defensive Coordinator)
2012:	Edmonton Eskimos (Secondary Coach)
2011:	Guelph Gryphons (Defensive Backs Coach)
2010:	Acadia Axemen (Defensive Backs Coach)
2009:	Seattle Seahawks (Special Teams Assistant)
2003 - 2008:	Toronto Argonauts (Special Teams Coordinator)

JARRYD BAINES – OFFENSIVE QUALITY CONTROL COACH, HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

AS A GRYPHON (2008 to 2012)

Jarryd Baines started in four of his five years at the University of Guelph and was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year in 2012. During his career, the Ottawa native racked up 129 tackles and 4.5 sacks. During his time at U of G, the Gryphons were known for having a "ball-hawking" defence, and nobody better embodied that than Jarryd Baines. His seven forced fumbles and four interceptions were an example of his knack for getting to the ball carrier and creating turnovers.

IN THE CFL

After his playing career as a Gryphon, Jarryd Baines worked as an intern in the CFL's league office. Over the last few years, Jarryd's list of football-related jobs has grown quite large: he has worked with Football Canada on building a website and instructional videos on safe contact; he co-managed the 2014 CFL's regional combine in Toronto; and has also worked as a replay technician in the CFL's command centre. Prior to joining the Ticats, Jarryd worked for the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a defensive quality control coach and football operations assistant. In his current role with the Ticats, Jarryd works alongside offensive staff in preparation for both practices and games. Jarryd reviews film for data insertion and contributes to the analytical breakdown of future opponents.

Print Friendly Version