Photo credit: Piper Sports Photography
D’Sean Mimbs hopes to add some combustibility to the CFL Combine.
“The impression I’m wanting to make is that I’m the most explosive receiver in the Combine,” the University of Regina Rams receiver said from Winnipeg on Wednesday.
“I think with how I’ve been testing during my training, I have the ability to do that.”
The proud son of former Saskatchewan Roughriders star Robert Mimbs took part in medical testing and measurements on Wednesday in the Manitoba capital, as did the other prospects for the April 30 CFL Draft.
On-field testing, such as the 40-yard dash and bench press, is on the agenda for Thursday.
The final three days will be devoted to practice sessions that include individual drills and one-on-ones. As well, CFL coaches will lead positional groups and install offensive and defensive packages.
What are the emotions heading into the busiest days of the Combine?
“It’s a little bit of everything — nervousness and excitement,” Mimbs said. “I feel like after just getting on the field and being able to run, all the nerves will go away and it will be able to flow, just like any other day.”
Robert Mimbs made the offence flow during his time in the CFL.
In his introductory season of three-down football, Mimbs rushed for 1,341 yards while helping the Winnipeg Blue Bombers win the Grey Cup in 1990.
He posted career highs in rushing yards (1,769) and touchdowns (15) the following year.
Mimbs played for Winnipeg and the B.C. Lions in 1992 and also had a stint with the Lions in 1993.
After being out of football in 1994, he revived his career with Saskatchewan. In just six games with the 1995 Roughriders, he rushed for 444 yards.
That was a prelude to a banner 1996 season, in which he rushed for 1,403 yards and was named the West Division’s Most Outstanding Player. He added another 493 yards in 10 games with the 1997 Roughriders.
“My dad has been a huge influence,” D’Sean Mimbs said. “He helps me with everything that has to do with football, training-wise and with how to talk to people and with work ethic.”
That said, the parental influence wasn’t the reason D’Sean ended up playing football.
“I feel like I would have gravitated to it regardless,” he said. “I played almost every single sport when I was younger.
“Ever since I played RMF (Regina Minor Football), when I was nine years old, I wanted to be a professional athlete. It has always been a dream of mine.
“My first two years of football, I was a running back. My size didn’t come through when I moved up to pee wee, so I moved up to receiver.”
Good call.
In 2017, Mimbs was the leading receiver in the Regina Intercollegiate Football League’s Schwann Conference, with 36 catches for 733 yards and seven touchdowns on behalf of the Winston Knoll Wolverines.
The following year, he attended the Birmingham Sports Academy in Alabama before returning to Canada and redshirting with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in 2019.
After the 2020 Canada West season was not contested due to COVID-19, Mimbs transferred to the University of Regina Rams.
Over the last three seasons, Mimbs has caught 79 passes for 1,134 yards and eight touchdowns in 20 Canada West games.
Also of note was his performance at the 2023 East-West Bowl Combine, at which his 37-inch vertical leap jumped off the charts.
Those hops have helped Mimbs develop a forte.
“Just the spectacular catches and touchdowns,” he said. “That’s probably my favourite part of the game — making those crazy one-handed catches or a catch over top of two guys.”
Mimbs is joined at the Combine by Rams teammate Jackson Sombach, a defensive back.
The Huskies are represented by offensive lineman John Kourtis and defensive lineman George Idoko.
The list of participants also includes Saskatoon-born defensive lineman Daniel Okpoko, who attends San Diego State.
They are among 72 National hopefuls for the CFL Draft.
Also at the Combine, 13 prospects for the Global Draft — also slated for April 30 — are being evaluated.
