EDMONTON - University of Alberta Golden Bears football player, Simeon Rottier (OL, 4th, Westlock, AB), has been listed as the top Canadian Football League eligible player currently playing in the CIS by the CFL's Amateur Scouting Bureau.

The 6'6" 286lbs offensive lineman is currently in his fourth season with the Golden Bears and has been an All-Star every step of the way. Following his 2005 CJFL All-Star season with the Edmonton Huskies, the Westlock native was recruited heavily but stayed close to home and was a 2006 Canada West All-Star in his first season. In Rottier's second year he was named a CIS Second Team All-Canadian and last season was asked to play in the annual CIS East-West Bowl, which pits the top third year football players across the CIS against each other.

"It's pretty exciting to see that and to know that's what professional scouts think of my game," said Rottier. "It's nice and while professional football has been the ultimate goal for as long as I've been playing, you know, trying to take football as far as I can, right now I'm pretty focused on the season here with the Golden Bears and I'm not trying to get ahead of myself. I'm working hard to get better every day, improving myself and hopefully the Golden Bears too."

The players were ranked by the CFL's Amateur Scouting Bureau which is comprised of CFL scouts, player personnel directors and general managers from the league's eight teams. All players included in the top ten ranking are eligible to be invited to the league's 2009 Evaluation Camp and Canadian Draft.

"Seeing this list and Simeon's name at the top is such a positive thing for him and the Golden Bears football program," said Alberta Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator Jeff Stead. "Because this is coming from the CFL scouts, this is a pretty big honour. Simeon has changed his game so much, gotten so much better than he was first recruited. He has increased his knowledge and understanding of the game as well as his hand and foot speeds to the point where he is a CFL calibre player, whether it's after this season or down the road."

The list of top ten ranked players will be published again prior to the Vanier Cup and in the off-season prior to the CFL's 2009 Evaluation Camp


Top Ten List of CIS Players

1. Simeon Rottier (OL) - Alberta

2. Matt Morencie (OL) - Windsor

3. Jamall Lee (RB) - Bishop's

4. Scott McHenry (SB) - Saskatchewan

5. Étienne Légaré (DL) - Laval

6. Matt Carter (SB) - Acadia

7. Steve Myddelton (OL) - St. Francis Xavier

8. Dylan Steenbergen (OL) - Calgary

9. Mike Cornell (LB) - Ottawa

10. Osie Ukwuoma (DL)