McGill's Ben Thompson invited to CFL's evaluation camp

TORONTO - Ben Thompson, a 6-foot-1, 275-pound defensive tackle with the McGill Redmen, is one of 55 players participating in the Canadian Football League's Evaluation camp, on the University of Toronto campus, this weekend.

The 21-year-old marketing senior from Fredericton, N.B., is among 11 defensive linemen in camp - six of whom hail from the Quebec conference.

Thompson, who earned CIS all-Canadian second-team status, had a dominant campaign in 2010, finishing third in the league with 45.5 total tackles, 36 of them solos. He was also credited with 10.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback sack and two fumble recoveries.

This year's "E-camp", began Friday and runs through Sunday afternoon. The three-day event is an opportunity for general managers, coaches and scouts to test, interview and evaluate prospects who they may select in the 2011 CFL Canadian Draft on Sunday, May 8.

"This is an enormously important weekend for these talented prospects and we wish them luck in making the most of this rare opportunity," said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon. "It's an equally significant event for all of us in the CFL. Our teams are only as strong as their Canadian talent, and a CFL franchise is only as strong as the connection between its fans and their fellow Canadians on the field."

Twenty-three of the 26 CIS football programs will be represented at the event and a total of a 16 players from the Ontario conference (OUA) are attending. The Quebec league has the next highest total with 15 invitees, followed by the Canada West (12) and the Atlantic conference (AUS) with five. In addition, players from seven different NCAA institutions are in the mix.

Concordia tops all QUFL teams with four players in camp, followed by Laval, Montreal and Bishop's, with three apiece, in addition to one each from McGill and Sherbrooke.

Results from the weekend's evaluation camp available here.

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

McGill Athletics & Recreation

514-398-7012

E-Camp Invited Players