CFL Syndicate 2025

Hulu

#3DownNation
Yes I'm back for another year. I've taken on a new job with lots more responsibility and travel which has pretty much ended my sports betting pastime but I am going to try and give the CFL another go since its been so fun and profitable over the years. I'll probably have fewer plays and posts this year but I am inviting all syndicate members and clingers to pick up the slack and keep this tradition going. I've only had one losing season since I started this in 2017 and the collaboration makes us all better bettors.

My lifetime record since 2011 is 1004-772 56.5% +190.45* I should note that the past 3 seasons have been in the 54-55% range whereas prior to that it was always in the 56-58% range so the lines aren't as loose as they once were but there is still plenty of room to make some $$

The 2025 draft goes tonight and it it the most interesting draft I can remember in years. For starters, instead of being loaded with OL which it typically is, there is only one decent OL prospect in Christian Fortin out of UConn. What we do have is a cornucopia of defensive line talent including at least 5 prospects who could step in as day 1 starters. A couple of them have accepted NFL rookie camp invites but those rarely pan out so there is a lot of defensive talent available. Conner Shay out of Wyoming is also a legit MLB prospect who could be a day 1 impact player for the right team (cough...Hamilton...cough). He has accepted a mini-camp invite with the Jets so maybe he falls to round 2.

Also this year we have something I've never seen in my lifetime, 4 legit QB prospects in the CFL draft. This is a huge sea change from the past where nat QBs were rare. Leading the pack is Taylor Elgersma out of Waterloo who garnered serious NFL interest before being passed over in the draft and garnering only mini-camp invites. He could be a CFL star one day. There is also Kurtis Rourke although he is more of a late-round gamble since he was drafted by the 49ers and will likely bounce around the NFL for a few years at least. There are also UMontreal and Laval QBs who have a decent chance to be drafted as projects.

As usual, I'll be watching every moment through every round. On a personal note, I am really hoping Hamilton selects DL Darien Newell out of Queens. He is about the most polished DL prospect ever to come out of USports and he could be an impact player on a team that desperately needs defensive help. Conner Shay would also be a good choice as the team lacks a true MLB and really only have Ryan Baker, who's played only half a eason, penciled in at that position.

As time goes on I'll try to get some team by team writeups and training camp updates going before preseason starts in late May. Winning sports betting doesn't just happen, you have to work for it. As dad always said..."The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary"

Bets of luck to everyone this year and lets do some damage!
 
3 QBs went last night with Elgersma going to Winnipeg, Rourke going to Sask and Jonathan Senecal going to Montreal. First time 3 QBs have been selected since 2001 apparently.

Elgersma is an interesting case. He blew away the USports world but the caveat is always that its USports so the level of competition isn't there. Usports used to be compared to NCAA D2 but I think its improved over the past decade to the point that the top 2 or 3 treams wouldn't look out of place in the MAC. He was the first USports QB ever invited to the senior bowl and didn't look out of place there. Then at the U Buffalo pro day he performed well enough that several NFL scouts requested to see him throw more. He had a top30 visit with Green Bay and was subsequently invited to mini camps with the Packers and Bills. His arm talent is undeniable and he comes pre-programmed knowing the 3down game unlike so many other QBs who have to learn the nuances. It will be interesting to see how he develops.

Montreal and Toronto had very good drafts as they always seemed to. Hamilton, as usual went a bit off the board after their first pick but basically loaded up on defense with a bunch of project players. They passed twice on Newell which had me screaming at the TV and he was picked 11th by Edmonton. I'm not sure the cats really got much immediate help on the DL.

One early take is that Hamilton with be a massive OVER team this year. With Bo Levi Mitchell having his best season in about 6 or 7 years in 2024, playing behind a solid OL with plenty of depth and with the receiving talent they loaded up on in free agency, they should have no trouble scoring in the 30s virtually every game. Their defence will struggle to stop anyone though and may end up being a league worst. The secondary looks solid but the front 7 are a real question mark. You have to be able to pressure the QB in a passing league and I question their ability to do so. I see a lot of 38-35 games at the ol donut box this year. It'll be a fun watch if nothing else.

The free agency winner this year was definitely the Elks. They absolutely loaded up with proven guys, especially on defence which was their achilles heel last season. It will take some time but once they put it all together, they will be a dangerous team. That is assuming that Tre Ford can carry the offense on his shoulders. I have my doubts about Ford but if nothing else he is damn fun to watch running all over the place.
 
Toronto may also be a good over bet. With Kelly back leading the offense for a full season behind their still solid OL, they will score. Meanwhile they lost their top 5 DL, mostly to the Elks but one to the Browns, they have a lot to replace on that side of the ball.

Hamilton-Toronto games will be like the good old days of 45-41. They won't be able to set the totals high enough.
 
You know I do this every year. By January I need a football vacation and I don't even think about it until April or so. I start wondering if I've lost the hunger to put in the work and consider throwing in the betting towel. Maybe I've been doing this too long, maybe I'm too old etc etc.

Then I watch the draft. The juices start flowing, things start clicking in my head and the obsession begins anew.

Make no mistake...IT'S ON for 2025!
 

Newell was selected for random drug testing on Wednesday, March 19 while at the 2025 CFL Combine in Regina, SK. His sample tested positive for the following banned substances:

  • GW501516
  • Ibutamoren
  • SARM Ostarine (S-22)
  • SARM LGD-4033
  • Testosterone
  • Nandrolone
  • Drostanolone
  • Norclostebol
  • Oxandrolone

Gonna be kind of hard to blame that list on some cough medicine. No wonder he's been a one man wrecking crew in the middle. Dude was juiced to the gills.

Now its making sense. Newell should've gone number 1 overall IMO and I couldn't believe he fell to the second round.
 
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