TORONTO — Jalen Philpot earned family bragging rights Thursday.
The University of Calgary receiver was ranked No. 2 on the CFL Scouting Bureau’s winter list of the top-20 prospects for the ‘22 draft. His twin brother, Tyson, also a Dinos receiver, was at No. 5.
Both made significant jumps as Jalen Philpot was seventh in the first rankings last fall while Tyson Philpot was 15th.
“I think I maybe have an upper edge just based on the ‘19 season and Tyson only playing two regular-season games due to injury, then coming in later in the playoffs,” Jalen Philpot told reporters during a videoconference. “I think we’re interchangeable, for sure, and Tyson is (chomping) at the bit to show everyone at the (CFL) combine (March 24-27) there’s no real big difference between us”
Tyson Philpot was willing to give his brother props, at least this time.
“I appreciate the words from Jalen but he’s got the No. 2 position so I’ll give him his respect,” he said. “But I definitely think we’re pretty close in the position and in skills.
“I’d say there’s a few things that separate us, him being in the slot and me being at the wideout position. The year I did miss is definitely getting at me but I’ll show everyone, for sure.”
Ottawa’s Jesse Luketa, a linebacker at Penn State, was No. 1, up from No. 4 last fall. The six-foot-three, 247-pound Luketa recorded 53 tackles (30 solo), four tackles for a loss and an interception he returned for a TD this season.
Luketa has been selected to participate in both the ‘22 Senior Bowl and NFL combine.
Enock Makonzo of Lachine, Que., a defensive back at Coastal Carolina improved three positions to third overall while Syracuse linebacker Tyrell Richard, from Brampton, Ont., dropped two spots to fourth after not playing this year.
The remainder of the top-10 prospects, starting from No. 6, includes: Waterloo quarterback Tre Ford; Western defensive lineman Deionte Knight, Mustangs offensive lineman Zack Fry; Waterloo defensive back Tyrell Ford (Tre Ford’s twin brother); and Saskatchewan offensive lineman Noah Zerr.
The scouting bureau consists of CFL player-personnel directors, GMs and scouts. It annually releases its prospect rankings in fall, winter and spring editions.
Jalen Philpot had 35 catches for 715 yards (20.4-yard average) with three TDs in 2021, earning first-team All-Canadian honours for a second straight year. Over three seasons at Calgary, he has 113 catches for 1,889 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Tyson Philpot registered 41 catches for 746 yards and a U Sports-leading nine TDs en route to being named Canada West’s top player. He was also a first-team All-Canadian and has 77 receptions for 1,574 yards and 14 touchdowns in 16 career games at Calgary.