Potential 2018 NFL Draft prospects include National and provincial alumni
By Ameeta Vohra
With the 2018 National Football League (NFL) Draft set to take place from April 26th-28th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Canadians will be on the lookout to see if any athletes from north of the border will see selected during the seven rounds.
Many media outlets have reported that a handful of Canadian prospects could be drafted, including two national team and provincial team alumni.
In a story last month on Football Canada’s website, David Knevel is on the radar of multiple NFL teams after his Pro Day. Knevel was also invited to participate in an individual workout with the Houston Texans.
Projected as a potential fourth or fifth round selection, the 6’9, 319-pound offensive lineman and native of Brantford, Ontario could also get signed after completion of the draft as a free agent.
Representing his country, Knevel helped the Team Canada win the gold medal at the 2012 IFAF World Junior Championships by defeating Team United States 23-17. In 2011, the lineman represented his home province as a member of Team Ontario West at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta.
The second prospect that might hear his name called is Spruce Grove, Alberta’s Mark Korte. Late last month, the 6’3, 295-pound offensive lineman hosted a Pro Day in Edmonton where NFL and CFL scouts attended. One of the teams that attended was the Washington Redskins.
At the Pro Day, Korte racked up 19 reps at 225 pounds on the bench press, registered 5.22 in the 40-yard dash, 8’8 in the broad jump, 4.63 in the short shuttle and 7.67 in the three-cone.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind; it was from one test to the next with no breaks in between,” reflected Korte after his Pro Day during a media scrum after the event. “It was fun and I am glad it went well and we put out some better results today”
“I hope it goes a long way. I think I posted some good times and good numbers. Hopefully, it will turn out into something nice.”
Recently, the lineman participated in the CFL Combine and was ranked sixth in the league’s Scouting Bureau’s Final Rankings which came out earlier this month. However, he garnered attention from at least 18 NFL teams after he played in the East-West Shrine Bowl this past January in Florida.
In 2013, Korte helped Team Alberta win a silver medal at the Football Canada Cup in Moncton. For his performance in the championship game, the lineman was named Offensive Player of the Game for Alberta. Additionally, he was selected as a Football Canadas Cup All-Star.
This past fall, Korte was recognized for a stellar season with USports’ University of Alberta Golden Bears as he was named Canada West Most Outstanding Lineman.
A fourth year Golden Bears lineman, Korte previously played at the high school level for the Spruce Grove Composite High School (CHS) Panthers/St. Peter the Apostle Rams of the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA).
