Concordia Stinger wide receiver Sanchez Deschamps is one of 59 top football prospects invited to the 2012 CFL Evaluation Camp, presented by Reebok, March 2-4 in Toronto.
The three-day event is an opportunity for general managers, coaches and scouts to test, interview and evaluate the top talent eligible for the CFL draft on May 3.
The Concordia football program has a reputation for developing young receivers for the professional ranks, and now it is Deschamps’ turn in the limelight.
“Sanchez has tremendous speed and athleticism,” says Concordia head coach Gerry McGrath. “He runs hard with the ball after he catches it. We feel he has great game-breaking abilities.”
The 25-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont. patiently played behind the likes of former Stingers Cory Watson, a star with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Liam Mahoney, signed in 2011 by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Other Stinger receivers who have developed the skills to move to the next level include Denis Montana, who went to three NFL camps and spent a season on the Miami Dolphins’ practice roster before playing for five different CFL teams (1996-2004). There is also Sylvain Girard, who went to camp with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns before returning to Montreal to play eight seasons with the Montreal Alouettes (1999-2006); and André Bolduc, who had a six-year career in the CFL with the Ottawa Rough Riders, the Edmonton Eskimos and the Alouettes (1996-2001).
“Sanchez has a chance to be as good as any of them,” McGrath says.
In 2011, Deschamps caught 28 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns. His career totals are 78 receptions for 1,121 yards (14.4 ave.) and six TDs in four seasons.
He was also in fine form, showing off his exceptional skills at the East West Bowl last May in London, Ont. Deschamps had an outstanding week of testing and practice and was the top receiver in the game with four catches for 92 yards.
“When Sanchez worked out at the East West Bowl with the best players in the country, he could measure his performance and I think he realized how good he is and can be,” McGrath says.
