TORONTO, Ont. – There are already 15 former University of Guelph football players currently listed on CFL rosters. Three more will now have a chance to add their names to that list.
On Thursday night (May 2) a trio of Gryphon football players had their names called as part of the 2019 CFL Draft. Offensive lineman
Jaylan Guthrie was the first Gryphon selected, going to the Calgary Stampeders in 4th round (37th overall). In the 7th round, two more Gryphons were taken with offensive lineman
Eric Starczala going to the Toronto Argonauts followed by linebacker
Job Reinhart heading to Calgary.
"We're so happy for each of these student-athletes," says Gryphon head coach
Ryan Sheahan. "Having their names called last night is the culmination of four years of intense, hard work, both in the weight room and on the field. It's also a reflection of the hard work put in from their positional coaches. As a staff, we couldn't be happier for those guys."
In total, there were 73 players selected in Thursday night's CFL Draft, 52 of which were products of the Canadian University football system (U SPORTS).
CFL Draft Tracker
U SPORTS article on 2019 CFL Draft
Gryphons selected in 2019 CFL Draft:
Jaylan Guthrie (Calgary Stampeders – 4th round – 37th overall)
Eric Starczala (Toronto Argonauts – 7th round – 62nd overall)
Job Reinhart (Calgary Stampeders – 7th round – 64th overall)
Jaylan Guthrie – Calgary Stampeders (4th round – 37th overall)
As one of the most athletic and physically gifted offensive lineman in the 2019 class, Jaylan Guthrie was on the radar of several CFL teams entering the 2019 Draft.
Measuring at 6-5 and weighting just shy of 300lbs, Guthrie possesses all of the physical tools required to succeed in the professional ranks. The economics major played three seasons with the Gryphons (2015-2017), dressing in 10 games during his rookie season before earing the starting spot at left tackle in 2016 and 2017. Although injuries have forced Guthrie to miss significant playing time throughout his U of G career, the Pickering native has shown that, when healthy, he has the skill set to be an impact player on the offensive line.
"Jaylan is a tremendous athlete with great physical potential," says Gryphon offensive line coach,
Mike MacDonald. "He is a very strong guy who also has the speed required to succeed at pro level."
Eric Starczala – Toronto Argonauts (7th round – 62nd overall)
6-5, 315lbs offensive lineman Eric Starczala has continued to climb on CFL radars as his university career has progressed.
The Cambridge native has served as a key piece of the Gryphon offensive line each of the past three seasons, earning OUA Second Team All-Star honours in each of the past two seasons. The Sociology major also improved his draft stock last spring as an attendee of the 2018 East-West Bowl where he stole the spotlight during testing, recording 27 reps of 225lbs during the bench press, the highest total of any player at the 2018 East-West Bowl (followed closely by Gryphon teammate Job Reinhart at 25 reps). Starczala will now head to camp with the Toronto Argonauts, where there is already plenty of Gryphon representation, with five former U of G players currently listed on the Argos roster (the most of any CFL team). "Eric is a very versatile guy who can play any position on the line of scrimmage," says Gryphon offensive line coach
Mike MacDonald. "Not only is he a big and athletic guy, he's also a really smart player. I think he has a great a shot to make it as a centre at the next level and he's heading to a team with a great o-line coach, so we're excited to see what Eric's future holds."
Job Reinhart – Calgary Stampeders (7th round – 64th overall)
Guelph native Job Reinhart has enjoyed an impressive four-year run since arriving at the University of Guelph in 2015.
As a rookie, Job contributed right away as an integral component of the Gryphons special teams during their Yates Cup championship season. As a sophomore, the landscape architecture major earned OUA All-Star status on special teams, and by his third and fourth seasons, Reinhart also established himself as one of the top linebackers in the province. The younger brother of long-time CFL'er and former Gryphon, Jake Reinhart, Job also has developed into one of the top long-snappers in U SPORTS football, giving him added value at the CFL level. Reinhart has not only starred in football the past four years at the University of Guelph, but also on the wrestling mat as a key member of the Gryphons varsity wrestling team. This past February, Job reached the podium at both the OUA (silver) and U SPORTS (bronze) Wrestling Championships. "Job is a real student of the game who brings a lot to the table, including a strong passion for football to go along with his physical strength and toughness," says Gryphon linebackers coach
Joe Sardo. "Job is the kind of athlete who would be a great addition to the any professional organization, not just for what he produces on the field, but also for the type of leadership he portrays both in the locker room and the community."
Former Gryphons currently listed on 2019 CFL rosters (15):
Rob Maver (Calgary Stampeders)
Royce Metchie (Calgary Stampeders)
Gabe Ferraro (Calgary Stampeders)
Jake Reinhart (Toronto Argonauts)
Ryan Bomben (Toronto Argonauts)
Jeff Finley (Toronto Argonauts)
Cam Walker (Toronto Argonauts)
Alex Charette (Toronto Argonauts)
Nick Parisotto (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Curtis Newton (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Luke Korol (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
John Rush (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Johnny Augustine (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Andrew Pickett (Ottawa REDBLACKS)
Jacob Scarfone (Ottawa REDBLACKS)
