Former U18 Champions Headline CFL Draft
Written by: Jamie Shiho
The 2022 CFL draft is now in the books and three former Team Canada U18 National Champions have been selected to continue their football journeys. Twin receivers Jalen and Tyson Philpot and linebacker Josiah Schakel have all be selected to their CFL clubs and are preparing for training camp in the coming summer. The trio all took part as members of Team Canada in the 2018 U18 International Federation of America Football Championship in Mexico City, where they took home gold.
Jalen Philpot is a slot receiver with some history at running-back and sat at number one on the receiver rankings. Mock drafts had the Delta, BC native being the third overall selection, landing with his hometown BC Lions. The Lions chose to pass on the standout receiver in favour of bolstering their defensive line with the University of Saskatchewan’s Nathan Cherry. BC had a mediocre pass rush at best last season and opted to address attacking their opponents’ quarterbacks, rather than adding weapons for their own. The Calgary Stampeders say thank you, as they were more than happy to take the nimble slot receiver only two picks later at the fifth overall selection. A move that will surely put a smile on starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell’s face.
Not far behind him is his brother Tyson who was also slated to fall to the Lions with the twelfth overall selection. The pure wide receiver didn’t slip quite that far however, being selected ninth overall to the Montreal Allouettes. Tyson brings more of a physical approach to the position, loves the deep ball and going up for contested catches. Needless to say, whoever starts under center in Montreal will love having Tyson out wide. Both the Philpot brothers played their college careers at the University of Calgary.
Jalen and Tyson have been very vocal about how positive their time with Football Canada was dating back all the way to 2018. During my sit-down interview with the twins, they both shared their message for future stars of Football Canada as they try to achieve their football dreams. Whether that be NCAA Division 1, the CFL or even higher aspirations.
Jalen’s message was simple. “At the end of the day, professional football, is professional football. Everyone is going to the same league no matter where you’ve started[..] no matter where you get drafted, everyone has to show up on the same day.”
Tyson echoed the same statement as his brother but would add one final message. “If football is your endgame, you have to work hard day in and day out.”
The second round of the draft saw the Philpot’s former IFAF Championship teammate, linebacker Josiah Schakel joining Jalen with the Calgary Stampeders with the fourteenth overall pick. Mock drafts originally projected he would fall to thirteen overall to the Montreal Allouettes. The linebacker’s versatility and ability to play the safety position as well makes him an intriguing fit for Brent Monson’s defense in Calgary.
Schakel has said in pre-draft interviews he prides his game on physicality, versatility, and a high football IQ. When asked what the team who selects him will be getting Schakel simply responded, “a guy who is willing to work, and a guy who wants to win.” The 6’1, 220lbs linebacker played his college football with the University of Alberta Golden Bears. In 2021
Schakel took home a pair of CIS awards, the Outstanding Defensive Player Award (the first Golden Bear to do so since 2005), as well as the Student Athlete Community Service Award.
The Canadian trio helped the 2018 National Team dominate the tournament, beating Team Japan, Team Sweden, and Team Mexico with a plus-55 tournament point differential for their second-straight gold medal victory, Canada’s third overall. Team Canada would win gold beating Team Mexico in a game that saw Tyson Philpot haul in 6 catches for 54 yards. Jalen was ejected early in the first half for an illegal block which opened the field for his brother.
Team Canada’s defense led by Schakel, was solid throughout the entire tournament allowing ten points in only one game of the tournament.
The 2022 CFL draft featured plenty of marquee talent, but perhaps none more than Football Canada’s own homegrown talent. Between the Philpot Twins and standout linebacker Josiah Schakel, the league has just become loaded with game-changing talent.
