CFL Draft Eligibility?

Question

I've been told different things..but when does a non-import player in the CIS become draft eligible? is it after 4 years of university or four years of playing for a CIS team? i have seen numerous players enter the draft with eligibility remaining

Answer 1

Actually, a player is eligible for the CFL draft after one year of university football, whether it be in the CIS or the NCAA.  While it's rare to see a player drafted after his freshman year, quite often teams will draft players with a year or two of college eligibility left.  Two of the Calgary Stampeders' three first-round draft picks, Mike Gyetvai and Jabari Arthur, will be returning to Michigan State and Akron, respectively, to finish their college careers, rather than join the team this season.

I had read somewhere that over 900 players were eligible for the 2007 draft, so obviously, the vast majority of draft-eligible players go unpicked...

Answer 2

The rule states that a player is eligible for the CFL draft after only 1 year of college play. However, it is very unlikely to see a player enter the draft after only their freshman year, but it has happened a few times.

Last year I believe there were 800 players (roughly) eligible for the CFL draft, but there are about 50 drafted every year, so it is a risk to go early.