A pair of former South Delta Sun Devils football standouts have earned invites to the 2021 College Gridiron Showcase, slated for Jan. 17-21 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Linebackers Charlie Moore and Grant McDonald are among five members of the defending Vanier Cup champion University of Calgary Dinos chosen for the Showcase which is the first major all-star event of the college football post-season featuring top senior players, selected by a panel of football experts. Since the 2015 inaugural event, more than 500 CGS participants have been offered professional opportunities.
At the 2020 College Gridiron Showcase, scouts from 31 of the 32 National Football League teams, all nine Canadian Football League teams, and other professional leagues were on hand to evaluate and meet players.
McDonald and Moore have prominent roles in the Calgary defence as starting linebackers. Both helped South Delta win its first-ever high school provincial title at the “AAA” level back in 2014.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound McDonald joined the Dinos in 2018 after spending his freshman season at the University of Maine. He was a Canada West all-star in 2019 and a second team U Sports All-Canadian. He is listed 18th among the 2021 CFL Draft prospects. In addition to being a force on defence, McDonald was also used in certain situations on offence.
Moore was among Calgary’s top tacklers in 2019, earning Canada West player of the week in the team’s win over rival Alberta.
The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 USport football season.
The pair will be joined in Texas by Dinos offensive linemen Peter Nicastro, Logan Bandy, and Tyler Packer.
“It is exciting to see five of our draft eligible players are having the opportunity to participate and showcase our program with their individual talents in the 2021 College Gridiron Showcase,” said Calgary head coach Wayne Harris in a news release. “Peter Nicastro, Logan Bandy, and Tyler Packer are three of the best O-lineman in U Sports Football. Grant McDonald and Charlie Moore have been the heart of our defence the past two years. I know they will catch the eye of the NFL and CFL coaches and scouts that will be attending the event.
