EDMONTON - University of Alberta Golden Bears football player, Simeon Rottier, managed to get the attention of NFL scouts during his five day trip to Houston and game time in the annual East-West Shrine Bowl.
The Westlock, AB, native has played three seasons along the Golden Bears offensive line, twice being named a CIS All-Star and three consecutive times a Canada West All-Star. The 6'6" 286 lbs left tackle has only been playing football for six years, after walking onto the Edmonton Huskies and becoming a CJFL All-Star in 2005, despite not playing high school football.
Twice during the 2008-09 CIS season Rottier was named the top Canadian Football League eligible player currently playing in the CIS by the CFL’s Amateur Scouting Bureau. It is expected that he will be drafted in the first round of the CFL draft, likely at a top three position.
Rottier was one of two CIS prospects to be selected to play in the annual game, the other being defensive tackle Étienne Légaré of the CIS champion Laval Rouge Et Or.
While professional football is in the cards for Rottier his performance for Team West under now retired head coach Gene Stallings, who guided Alabama to the NCAA championship in 1992 and was head coach of St. Louis and Arizona in the NFL, and his training camp time before the game, has opened up options for him south of the border.
John Murphy, creator of Next Level Scouting Inc., and Director of Scouting for the Calgary Stampeders, reported to the National Football Post that Rottier had a strong camp and performance in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
"He was quiet the first day, learning to play on the right side after playing left tackle during his time in the CIS. He has long arms and decent footwork for a young kid from Edmonton with only about five years of football under his belt. Once he shifted over to his natural side, his confidence came out and he did a nice job, especially during team drills. He locked onto Texas A&M defensive end Michael Bennett on a few plays and stayed on him downfield."
The East, coached by Bobby Ross, won the game 24-19 before 15,387 fans at Robertson Stadium in Houston.