CFL Draft Profile #3: Queen's Johnny Aprile

Source: CFL.ca Staff http://cfl.ca/article/draft-profile-johnny-aprile / Photo credit John Sheahan

TORONTO (CFL) - As a receiver in the Queen’s University football program, Johnny Aprile didn’t have to look very far back into the school record books to find someone to model his style of play after.

“Rob Bagg he’s really been an idol for me,” said Aprile at CFL Evaluation Camp presented by Reebok in March.

“He’s come back to Queen’s a bunch of times and I’ve been working with him. His style of play is amazing – he’s a workhorse. If I can get to that level, I’d be thrilled,” he added.

Like Bagg – now a star receiver with the Saskatchewan Roughriders – Aprile has made a name for himself throughout his collegiate career with the Gaels.

Last season, Aprile registered a solid 594 yards and four touchdowns on 31 receptions. He also averaged 84.9 receiving yards per game, good enough for seventh in the country.

But his star power doesn’t stop with simply catching the ball. Aprile has fashioned himself into one of the CIS’ most prolific kick returners. In 2011, Aprile averaged a nation-best 36.5 yards per return with two touchdowns, also a CIS best.

Aprile believes that it’s his aggressive and hard-nosed style of play that allows him to succeed on the field.

“If I get the ball, I just want more yards. I’ll kind of do whatever it takes to go forward,” said the six-foot-two, 208-pound Toronto native.

At E-Camp, Aprile put his size and skills on display for scouts and coaches from all eight CFL teams. He showed strength during the bench press, pumping out 14 reps, and put his speed on display during the 40-yard dash, running a respectable time of 4.61.

Whether it’s as a receiver or a kick returner, the future seems bright Johnny Aprile.

And it all starts on May 3.

Click here to hear more from Johnny Aprile in his draft profile.