More power to Western — literally — if Da'Shawn Thomas pans out for them. David Naylor at The Globe & Mail reported that the former Toronto Argonauts practice squadder will play for the Mustangs, "pending a final review":" ... with fall fast approaching, Thomas wanted to get on the field and figured the CIS was his best route.In purely football terms, Thomas has a little in common with one of his contemporaries with the Argos, former York Lions star André Durie. Durie ended up with York as a 22-year-old in 2003 and tore up the OUA for two seasons. Thomas, who turns 22 on the final day of this month, got great notices last fall from The Canadian Press football writer, Dan Ralph:
"Unlike in the U.S. where players who turn pro are not eligible to compete in college sports, there are no such rules in Canada.
"Thomas was a high school star in Georgia. But a short stint at a Kansas junior college in the fall of 2006 ended when he got homesick." — Naylor's Sideline Blog
"(Thomas) came to Toronto after rushing for more than 1,300 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns in 12 games last year with the Georgia Generals of the North American Football League, a semi-pro circuit.Western already stacked up as the Yates Cup favourite. Adding a 6-foot, 200-lb. runner with some serious breakaway speed changes the equation in their backfield.
"What makes Thomas an interesting prospect is that in high school, he posted times of 10.3 seconds in the 100-metre dash and 22 seconds flat over 200 metres. Football coaches always preach that the two elements they can't teach are size and speed. Thomas would seem to have both."
Related:
Thomas jumps from CFL — to CIS?; Former Argo running back enrolls at the University of Western Ontario, will play for the Mustangs (Globe & Mail)
and this guy is academically eligible?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of eligibility, we're still baffle by Daniel Schober, this 2 years Americo-German, NFL Europe professional, who, according to Constantin, can play for 3 more years with the Rouge & Or!
ReplyDeletewhere do you think Marshall learned of this rather large and immoral loophole?
ReplyDeletePlease keep in mind the initial Naylor post said it was "pending an academic review" and that Thomas would enrol at King's University College. Here is King's criteria for a mature student:
ReplyDelete"has not completed OAC or 12U course (senior matriculation); will be at least 21 years of age in the calendar year in which admission is sought; has not normally been in full-time attendance at an educational institution within the previous four years; has achieved at least a "C" (60%) standing in any academic work attempted within the previous four years; is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident at the time of application; will be required to provide a letter of reference; will write a personal statement outlining their objective and goals and may be asked to attend an interview at the College."
A permanent resident card is relatively easy to get for an American CFL player.
It does seem sort of specious.