Pat Sheahan has been coaching in the Canadian university football ranks since 1984, so he knows a thing or two about how U Sports prospects stack up against top competition.
What does he think about the future of rising Montreal Alouettes star receiver Tyson Philpot?
“The kid is the real deal,” Sheahan said about a pass-catcher he coached for two years as offensive co-ordinator at the University of Calgary.
“I couldn’t even begin to imagine what his potential is. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he plays in the NFL. And if he doesn’t, he can play 12 to 14 years in the CFL.”
The 23-year-old Philpot was promoted to Montreal’s No. 1 receiving role this year after Austin Mack earned an NFL shot with Atlanta. So far, so great.
After hauling in the Grey Cup-winning touchdown pass last year and earning the game’s top Canadian award, Philpot is second in the CFL with 564 receiving yards and has four touchdowns this season for the unbeaten Als (5-0).
It has been 14 years since a Canadian finished a season leading the CFL in receiving — Andy Fantuz of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2010. Philpot appears poised to take a run at snapping that drought.
Per the CFL stats department, Philpot is on pace for 144 catches and 2,030 receiving yards – both of which would be Canadian records.
“He doesn’t look like a Canadian kid (just) trying to make it. He’s a star,” Sheahan said.
Sheahan took the offensive co-ordinator job at Calgary in 2019, after the Queen’s Gaels cut ties with their longtime head coach, who led the Kingston, Ont., school to the 2009 Vanier Cup with a comeback win over the Dinos.
In 2019 at Calgary, Sheahan replaced his son, Ryan, who had accepted the head coaching job at Guelph. One year earlier, Ryan just so happened to successfully recruit Philpot and his twin brother, Jalen — also a receiver — to Calgary. Their father is former B.C. Lions star running back Cory Philpot.
Tyson suffered a foot injury in the first game of the ’19 season, but returned for the playoffs. He helped a strong Dinos offence become that much better on a run to the Vanier Cup title — Sheahan’s third with as many schools (he won his first as offensive co-ordinator at McGill in 1987).
“Kudos to him. Enough people are getting in kids’ ears these days (saying) ‘you know what, not sure where the team is going, maybe save it for next year and not risk further injuries,’” Sheahan said. “But he came back and played a great role in the playoffs. It was a tremendous 1-2 punch going into the national championship.”
After COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 season, Jalen and Tyson finished 1-2 in the country in receiving in 2021.
“I got accused of not getting the ball to them enough. And I have to agree with them, I probably should have got them the ball a little bit more,” Sheahan said.
After their standout 2021 seasons, both were picked in the first round of the 2022 CFL Draft. Jalen went fifth to the Calgary Stampeders; Tyson ninth to Montreal.
“(Before the draft, Alouettes GM) Danny Maciocia asked me who’s better. I said pick both of them,” Sheahan chuckled. “He said ‘I can’t get both of them,’ I said find a way. They’re both winners.”
Jalen’s career hit a detour last year when he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, but he’s shown some promising signs early in the ’24 season.
Sheahan thinks Jalen also can reach a high level and has just been unlucky with injuries. Tyson, though, won the brotherly battle last week, hauling in 12 catches for 134 yards in a 30-26 Montreal win over Calgary. He did have one fumble, so it wasn’t a perfect game.
“It’s difficult to talk about one and not talk about the other,” Sheahan said. “The two of them are not just great receivers, they are great football players and tough guys. They’ll go block guys and put their face in there. They’re explosive kids. They understand the whole idea of being a complete football player. They’re competitive as hell and want to win everything in practice.”
Sheahan, after a couple years as offensive line coach at Guelph with his son following a retirement from full-time duties, is returning to Calgary this year to serve in the same role under Ryan, who is now the Dinos’ head coach.
On Sept. 14, a day after the Dinos are in Saskatchewan, the Stampeders host the Alouettes. It will be a great opportunity for Sheahan to see two of the most talented players he has coached in his long career.
Maciocia, whose Als have won 13 games in a row dating back to last season, should expect a text from Sheahan that week.
“Every other message I have with Maciocia,” Sheahan said, “is ‘throw the ball to (No.) 6.’”
Seems Maciocia, Als head coach Jason Maas and quarterback Cody Fajardo are in agreement.
QB or not QB
Cameron Dukes remains the Toronto Argonauts’ starting quarterback for Thursday’s game in Montreal, but the first-year starter is under the microscope after struggling in the last two games following two strong contests to open the campaign.
Chad Kelly could be eligible to return from suspension after nine games, while journeyman Nick Arbuckle is the current backup.
Meanwhile, there was good news for the Ottawa Redblacks as quarterback Dru Brown was listed as a limited participant at the first practice of the week on Wednesday after he was removed from last week’s game in Winnipeg with a head injury. The Redblacks are hopeful Brown can start Sunday in Edmonton against the Elks.
The Bombers also had a positive development this week with star QB Zach Collaros returning to practice after missing last week’s game with a thorax injury. He’s expected to start Friday against the Calgary Stampeders.
Game of the Week
First place is on the line in the West as the B.C. Lions host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday.
B.C. has won four in a row after opening the season with a loss in Toronto.
The Roughriders, under first-year coach Corey Mace, scored an impressive win against the Argos last week with QB Shea Patterson making his first career start in place of the injured Trevor Harris. The University of Michigan product faces a tougher test this week.
Here’s the full Week 6 schedule.
Thursday, July 11: Toronto Argonauts (2-2) at Montreal Alouettes (5-0), 7:30 p.m. ET
Friday, July 12: Calgary Stampeders (2-2) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-4), 8:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. local
Saturday, July 13: Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-0) at B.C. Lions (4-1), 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. local
Sunday, July 14: Ottawa Redblacks (2-2) at Edmonton Elks (0-4), 7 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. local