Laval O-linemen on track to dominate 2016 CFL Draft

TORONTO — Laval University is in a position to leave a major mark on the 2016 CFL Draft.

Three Laval offensive linemen are projected to go in the first round this season, which if it happens would raise the total to five over the last two years and six over the last three.

Charles Vaillancourt, Philippe Gagnon and Jamie Lauzon-Seguin are all among the CFL Scouting Bureau’s top-20 draft eligible prospects and are in the running to be top-five draft picks according to CFL.ca’s Justin Dunk in his third 2016 CFL Mock Draft.

So what’s the key to success for the big men from Laval? It starts with strength and conditioning and above all discipline. Consider, for starters, that all five first round draft picks who tested the last three years pressed 21 reps or more on the bench.

RELATED: Laval goes 2-3-4 in Dunk’s Mock 3.0

This year Gagnon blew the competition away with 40 reps on the bench press, but Lauzon-Seguin and Vaillancourt were no slouches themselves with 27 and 24 respectively. That sheer overall strength isn’t the whole puzzle — these guys are football players first, not weight lifters — but it’s an important part of it.

All three linemen have been on the Scouting Bureau radar all the way through, but since the combine their stock has only risen. Oklahoma’s Josiah St. John is the favourite at this point to go first overall but not one would be shocked if one of the Laval kids rise to the top, whether it’s with the Riders or someone else via trade.

Vaillancourt, known for his strong all-around game and consistency on the field, may be the safest pick in the draft and could have the best shot of the three to overtake St. John at number one. It’s a thought that’s crossed his mind but not something he’s dwelling on.

“For myself, if ever I could end up at number one for sure it would be great,” said Vaillancourt. “But you never know what can happen on this day. For now there’s nothing I can control and just wait.”

LAVAL OL MAKING THEIR MARK

Vaillancourt would be just as proud to watch his two close Laval teammates go three picks in a row, which Dunk has in his latest mock from second overall to fourth overall, starting with Lauzon-Seguin to Montreal.

“Laval would take great pride,” said Vaillancourt. “Our work ethic and how we play, our winning mentality – that’s what makes Laval so important for us.

“For sure it would be great to see three O-linemen from Laval, it’s a band of brothers here on the O-line and I’d be so proud of these guys and these guys would be so proud.”

With Lavertu going first overall in 2014 and two O-linemen rounding out the first round in 2015, there’s something Laval is doing right with its offensive linemen. Teams and their talent evaluators appear confident in taking a Laval lineman high in the draft, and based on the results it’s justified.