Stanford receiver Ayomanor tops final CFL scouting bureau top-20 prospect list
Ayomanor was third on the winter list released in January but vaulted into first as the top-ranked prospect for the CFL draft, which will be held Tuesday. However, the native of Medicine Hat, Alt., won't be the first player selected after being taken in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.
The Calgary Stampeders have the first pick of the draft, one of four the club is scheduled to make in the first 20 selections.
Indian quarterback Kurtis Rourke, of Oakville, Ont., fell from top spot into second on the final list. But Rourke was also selected in the NFL draft, going in the seventh round Saturday to the San Francisco 49ers.
The CFL scouting bureau consists of league scouts, player-personnel directors and GMs with all nine of its clubs. It releases its rankings three times annually (fall, winter and spring).
Toronto native Paris Shand, a defensive lineman at Louisiana State, moved from second to third. But after being bypassed in the NFL draft, Shand joined the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent.
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Wyoming linebacker Connor Shay was ranked fourth after not cracking the winter list while Montana receiver Keelan White remained unchanged at No. 5. Shay will reportedly attend the Green Bay Packers rookie camp.
Rounding out the top 10, in order, are: offensive lineman Tiger Shanks (UNLV); receiver Damien Alford (Utah); defensive lineman Darien Newell (Queens); defensive lineman Hayden Harris (Montana); and offensive lineman Christopher Fortin (UConn).
Laurier quarterback Taylor Elgersma, the '24 Hec Crighton Trophy winner, continued to rise. He moved up to 14th after being ranked 20th on the winter list.
Thirteen of the top-20 prospects played at NCAA schools, with the remaining seven being at U Sports universities.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2025.
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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors As a prominent football analyst getting better with each set of downs, it seems, the Canadian isn't shy about the cheap shots coming his way for his work on TSN's CFL coverage. Even when they come with ridiculous consequences from those attempting to silence him. In fact, Willson is going on the offensive for those pushing back at his criticisms of the CFL, the type of commentary never before heard so pointedly and vocally on the network. 'I believe that the board of governors have rats within (the CFL), both on air and behind the scenes,' Willson said in a post on X on Saturday that quickly sizzled on the social media site among the league's observers. 'They want me gone. I am like a roach. Tough to kill.' 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What initially prompted Willson's latest social media tirade was news on Friday that both the Toronto Argos will be playing a significant portion of their 'home' schedule on the road in 2026 to make room for the World Cup that will see games played at BMO Field. 'The MLSE stuff with the schedule yesterday really put things into perspective for me,' Willson wrote. 'That bothers me to no end. Why would you not play the games in Ontario? (I would vote London.) Instead, it's screw the fans, screw the brand, make the quick buck, let's go to Regina, Winnipeg and your arch-rivals stadium. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'As I reflected on that, I need to realize that the CFL doesn't give one single damn about growing the game. It's evident in almost everything they do.' Willson echoed those comments in a Friday appearance on TSN Radio's Overdrive program. 'Under no circumstance am I surprised the World Cup is bumping anything,' Willson said. 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