Kent Ridley of Ridley Scouting Services checks in with another guest post for BCLionsDen.ca. Kent recently attended the CFL E-Camp for the top prospects college football and had the chance to sit down with Washington State offensive lineman Joe Eppele. The 6′-7″ native of Vancouver is considered to be one of the top offensive line prospects for the upcoming Canadian Football League draft.
RS: When did you start playing football?
A: I started playing community ball in 5th grade for the Squamish Titans.
RS: How did you end up at Washington State?
A: I attended a summer camp at Eastern with the Vancouver College high school team the summer prior to my move down to the city for my senior year and while I was at the camp I was called up to Washington State because they had heard about me and were interested in seeing me in a practice. After two practices the coaches said they had seen enough and told me to pack my stuff up and following a meeting with George Yarno -their o-line coach at the time- I had an offer for a full ride scholarship at a Pac-10 school and I committed shortly thereafter.
RS: What do you prefer to play – OT or OG?
A: I enjoy both positions but feel the most comfortable with OT because it has been where I have worked for the majority of my collegiate career. I played my first games ever at guard this past season and picked up three starts at the position. I enjoyed the physicality and aggressiveness of the position as opposed to the more strategic controlled aggression that is required at OT because of the open space and need to protect the edge.
RS: Favourite NCAA highlight?
A: Being on the field in double overtime for the winning field goal in our victory over the Huskies in the 2008 Apple Cup and seeing the stands empty onto the field.
RS: Biggest achievement in football so far?
A: Continually earning the opportunity to compete at a higher and higher level in the sport while never letting myself be happy with where I am and maintaining a consistent need to improve my game.
RS: What do you expect to bring to a CFL team?
A: I believe as an athlete who had the opportunity to compete at the Pac-10 level I bring a level of experience and dedication to the sport that can only be achieved through living it firsthand. I am a 6’8 athletic lineman who brings a heightened level of aggressiveness and realizes my best years of football are still ahead of me. I am passionate and eager to excel in every aspect of the game and will stop at nothing to achieve greatness.
RS: Any advice for the 2011 Draft Class now that you’ve been through the E-Camp?
A: Come hungry, you only get one shot at the E-camp so don’t cut any corners and make sure you are prepared in every aspect and leave it all on the field. It’s a meat auction out there so make sure you are the Filet Mignon.
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