Opportunity is knocking and Chris Dobko is ready to answer the door.
The Calgary Dinos’ slotback was among the top 51 prospects eligible for the CFL draft on May 6 to receive invites to this weekend’s combine in Toronto.
“It’s something that I’ve wanted to do since I got to the University of Calgary. It’s a chance to play in the CFL and this is the first step,” Dobko said.
The draft hopefuls, including nine receivers, will undergo medical examinations, performance and strength and speed tests, on-field football drills and team interviews during the three-day event.
“I want to get my name out there and have some CFL coaches look at me and say they want me to be part of their team for the next five to 10 years,” said Dobko.
The 2012 Canadian Interuniversity Sport second team All-Canadian was excited about the challenge.
“I’m feeling really good about everything right now. I don’t feel like I’m over my head. I feel like I’m going to go there and I’m going to look good,” Dobko said. “I’m in good shape, I’ve had two good years in a row (with the Dinos) and hopefully I can get into the CFL.”
“But obviously I’m nervous. If you’re not nervous then it’s probably not exciting you enough that you’re going to it.”
The six-foot, 208-pound pass catcher worked on his fitness after receiving the combine invite in the offseason.
“I’ve lost about 13 pounds since Christmas and I’ve been working out pretty hard at KING football in Calgary for the last month and a half. I feel like I’m the same shape right now that I was probably a couple of weeks in the summer last year,” said the high school product of the St. Albert High Skyhawks.
The 2007 Haliburton Trophy winner as the pool B MVP in the metro Edmonton league spent extra attention on his foot speed.
“I’ve never been known as the fastest guy to run past people so that’s one thing I’ve needed to get better going into this combine,” said the Paul Kane High School graduate.
Last year the two-time Canada West all-star led the Dinos with 50 receptions and 659 receiving yards in only six conference games and scored five touchdowns.
Dobko also set the team record twice for receptions in a game with 13 against the Manitoba Bisons in September in Winnipeg and 14 against the Bisons in October in Calgary, before teammate Jake Harty had 15 catches against the Regina Rams in the Hardy Cup for a new Canada West playoff mark.
Two years ago Dobko was the conference leader in receptions with 56 and TD catches with eight and was second in yards with 676.
Dobko described his strengths as route running and catching the ball.
“I feel those are the two things that are going to get me into the CFL,” said the only football player from St. Albert to play in two Vanier Cups in 2009 and 2010. “I put in a lot of work running my route running with the Dinos and I’m pretty happy where it is right now.”
Dobko, 23, has one year of CIS eligibility left with the Dinos and has a shot at setting a new team record for most catches in a season. The current mark is Josh Borger’s conference-record 59 in 1983.
The co-MVP for the 2004 Football Alberta Tier 2 bantam provincial champion St. Albert 49ers is also 51 catches away from the all-time conference receiving record of 173, held by Chad Goldie from 2004 to 2008 with Regina.
