CFL Scouting Bureau unveils fall top 20 prospect rankings

Brian Swane

University of Illinois running back Chase Brown sits atop the Fall Edition of the CFL Scouting Bureau, announced by the league on Thursday. The list of the Top-20 eligible prospects for the 2023 CFL Draft also includes Edmonton native Lwal Uguak, a defensive lineman who is in his first season at Texas Christian after transferring from UConn, at No. 6; as well as University of Alberta linebacker Jake Taylor at No. 18.

The CFL Scouting Bureau, comprised of CFL scouts, as well as player personnel directors and general managers from the league’s nine clubs, releases its rankings three times each year: in the fall, winter and spring.

The Edmonton Elks currently have 10 picks in the 2023 CFL Draft, which will consist of eight rounds with nine selections in each round. Edmonton has four picks in the first three rounds.

CFL Scouting Bureau’s Top 20 Prospects Eligible for 2023 Draft – Fall Edition
	PLAYER NAME	POS	COLLEGE	HOMETOWN
1	Chase Brown	RB	Illinois	London, ON
2	Dontae Bull	OL	Fresno State	Victoria, BC
3	Sydney Brown	DB	Illinois	London, ON
4	Jared Wayne	WR	Pittsburgh	Peterborough, ON
5	Nick Mardner	WR	Cincinnati	Mississauga, ON
6	Lwal Uguak	DL	Texas Christian	Edmonton, AB
7	Sidy Sow	OL	Eastern Michigan	Bromont, QC
8	Theo Benedet	OL	UBC	North Vancouver, BC
9	Tavius Robinson	DL	Ole Miss	Guelph, ON
10	Jonathan Sunderland	DB	Penn State	Ottawa, ON
11	Francis Bemiy	DL	Southern Utah	Montreal, QC
12	Gabe Wallace	OL	Buffalo	Salmon Arm, BC
13	Clark Barnes	WR	Guelph	Brampton, ON
14	Daniel Johnson	OL	Purdue	London, ON
15	Giovanni Manu	OL	UBC	Pitt Meadows, BC
16	Harrison Bagayogo	DB	Guelph	Bois-des-Filion, QC
17	Justin Sambu	DL	Maine	Calgary, AB
18	Jake Taylor	LB	Alberta	Beaumont, AB
19	Reece Martin	DL	Mount Allison	Moncton, NB
20	Lake Korte-Moore	DL	UBC	Ottawa, ON

TOP-5 PROSPECTS

CHASE BROWN | RB | ILLINOIS

350 rushing yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry and two touchdowns in two games
Surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark in both games; three total touchdowns on the season
Week 0’s Big-Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week after 151 rushing yards and three touchdowns
1,913 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns in 24 career games with Illinois
Named to the Senior Bowl, Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award watch lists
Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten second team
Twin brother Sydney is ranked No. 3 on the 2022 Scouting Bureau: Fall Edition

DONTAE BULL | OL | FRESNO STATE

In Fresno State’s season-opening 35-7 victory over Cal Poly, the offence notched 377 passing yards and 188 rushing yards
Entering fifth season, has appeared in 35 games, including 27 starts
In 2021, Fresno State finished with the top offense in the Mountain West and was ranked No. 14 in the FBS
Named to the Senior Bowl watch list

SYDNEY BROWN | DB | ILLINOIS

Ten tackles (five solo and five assisted), a tackle for a loss and a pass breakup in two games
41 career collegiate games, including 37 starts, with 270 tackles (151 solo, 119 assisted), 14 passes defended, four interceptions and three forced fumbles
Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten second team
Named to Senior Bowl watch list
Twin brother Chase is ranked No. 1 on the 2022 Scouting Bureau: Fall Edition

JARED WAYNE | WR | PITTSBURGH

Team-high three receptions for 89 yards in season-opener versus West Virginia
In 2021, notched personal bests in receptions (47), receiving yards (658) and touchdowns (6)
30 career collegiate games with 89 catches for 1,334 yards and eight touchdowns.
Former quarterback at Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ont.; 2-for-3 passing for Pittsburgh, including one touchdown pass.

NICK MARDNER | WR | CINCINNATI

35-yard touchdown reception in first game this season – his first with Cincinnati
Attended University of Hawaii in first three collegiate seasons
46 receptions for 913 yards and five touchdowns in third season at Hawaii
34 career collegiate games with 63 receptions for 1,305 yards and nine touchdowns

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