With the 2015 CFL Combine (Mar. 27-29) and CFL Draft (TBA) approaching on the offseason calendar, TSN.ca profiles some of the prospects who could be taken this spring. When looking at photos of Jacob Ruby, the first thing you notice is his massive size. At 6-7 and 315 pounds, he definitely cuts an imposing figure. But what really stands out is his ever-growing beard. It kind of just happened - I started it two seasons ago, Ruby explained to TSN this week. I told myself I wasnt going to touch anything until we went to the playoffs and win a national championship so, that didnt happen that year and then I told myself I would keep it through the next season and Ive done that so people are saying I cant touch it because its part of me so I guess its staying for a while. While he hasnt sported the beard too long, his imposing size has almost always been present. Growing up in London, Ontario, he tried to play every sport he could. But Ruby soon realized that football was where he was best suited. I kind of outgrew hockey, he said. Once I realized when I played football that it was a sport more suitable to my size and my build, I realized I could use that to my advantage in the sport and I kind of fell in love with it. After playing in high school and club teams in London, Ruby was recruited by American prep schools - noted for helping high school athletes attain athletic scholarships to Division I programs. He chose Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, a school thats seen 70 players drafted into the pros. The culture shock was immediate. It was very different, Ruby recalled. The first training camp practice we had at Fork Union, it was like 90-plus degrees out and just so hot - and the way they do everything with two-a-days. You come in two weeks before school for training camp - just the way they go about training camp - every detail for football is completely different. From Fork Union he went to the University of Richmond, a Division 1-AA school where he started early and reamined as a starter through his collegiate career. It was challenging, said Ruby. And then in my redshirt freshman year I started from then on out. I did play pretty early, so it was challenging to evolve to that level of play. Once I got used to it, my body got right and I got bigger. I kind of took the mold of an offensive lineman and it went from there. Being a four-year starter is very rare in NCAA football and Ruby credits his coaches for his learning and development in Virginia. It was awesome, he said. (Virginia) is the start of the deep South so its a little different culture especially towards football. You start in Virginia and as soon as you go further South, football is that much more bigger so it was good. Going to different stadiums, playing different teams and seeing how big of an event it is that youre playing in - it was really cool. While being a four-year starter was impressive in its own right, playing at left tackle is even more so. Ruby - a converted tight end from high school - has decent athleticism for a man his size playing his position. And that athleticism helps at his position. Tackle is harder than guard or centre because youre in space vs. congestion, explained TSN CFL Analyst and former left tackle Chris Schultz. Good space blockers are tough to find and good congestion blockers are much easier. You can always move a tackle to guard. A move from guard to tackle happens, but not often. Ruby wants to play at left tackle when he turns pro which - in the CFL - is normally a position reserved for import players. Ruby making it in the CFL as a tackle would definitely have a bearing on any teams roster numbers. Left tackle is a ratio breaker because (of) how the league has changed the distribution of Canadian talent, added Schultz. In my day, left and right tackle was 90 per cent Canadian. Now it is 90 per cent American. The reason is because its a dominant one-on-one position. If youre not competent at left tackle, the quarterback pays a price. A good Canadian left tackle is gold. Currently the tenth-ranked prospect for this springs CFL draft, Ruby will be back in Canada at the CFL Combine in March where teams can evaluate him - and his beard - in person. DaQuan Jones Jersey . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club. Luke Stocker Jersey . The team of Lars Nelson, Daniel Richardsson, Johan Olsson, and anchor Marcus Hellner cruised to victory in the 4x10 km event, winning in a time of one hour, 28 minutes, and 42. http://www.officialtennesseetitansfootba...n-jersey-womens. The hard-serving 22-year-old from Thornhill, Ont., became the first Canadian to be ranked in the Top 10 on the ATP World Tour thanks to his runner-up performance at Rogers Cup in Montreal. Derrick Henry Jersey . A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press the Steelers will part ways with the former Pro Bowler, a move that hardly serves as a surprise after fifth-year linebacker Jason Worilds agreed to accept a "transition player" tag last week. Austin Johnson Jersey . The mood in Seattle was electrified as the parade featuring the NFL champions began near the Space Needle and made its way to CenturyLink Field, the home of the team. At a ceremony inside the stadium, the team thanked its loyal followers -- the 12th Man -- capping a day of boisterous celebration that drew an estimated 700,000 revelers to Seattle.SURPRISE, Ariz. -- If Yu Darvish is feeling any pressure after leading the majors in strikeouts last season, it isnt showing. The Texas Rangers ace was even in a joking mood Tuesday at spring training. Darvish wisecracked that the New York Yankees might have paid too much for fellow Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka by giving him a seven-year, $155 million contract on top of a $20 million posting fee to the Rakuten Golden Eagles. The deal made Darvish No. 2 when it comes to Japanese players in the majors: He has a six-year, $56 million deal signed before the 2012 season after the Rangers paid $51.7 million to Hokkaido for the right to negotiate with him. "I dont know the details of the posting system, but I think the Yankees gave him a little bit too much," Darvish said with a chuckle through his interpreter during his first spring training session with reporters. Even before the session was done, the remark was all over social media and the Rangers released a statement to make sure everyone knew Darvish was kidding. "I am sorry if anyone took my comment seriously about Masahiro Tanaka at the press conference," Darvish said in the statement. "I assumed by the reaction in the room that everyone knew I was joking." The 27-year-old Darvish could opt out of his contact after five years if he wins a Cy Young Award and potentially get a contract exceeding that of Tanaka. He came close last year, finishing second to Max Scherzer in the balloting after leading the majors with 277 strikeouts -- the most since Randy Johnson struck out 290 in 2004 with Arizona. Darvish, who manager Ron Washington has already named the opening day starter, was 13-9 with a 2.83 ERA in 32 starts last season. "If we score him runs, he might win 35 games and hess only going to get 32 starts," Washington said.dddddddddddd Darvish lost four 1-0 decisions, the first pitcher to do that in a season since Orel Hershiser with the 1989 Dodgers. "Never once did he ever make any whimpers of, Boy it sure would be nice to get some runs, never once," pitching coach Mike Maddux said. "Thats the kind of teammate he is. Hes going to go out and do the best he can and wants everyone else to the best they can." The Rangers averaged 3.08 runs per game in Darvishs final 23 starts. "The game is something you cant control, so you cant be pessimistic or optimistic," Darvish said. "The main thing is to keep yourself healthy. If youre healthy enough, I think numbers are going to follow. The outcome is something that is a result of having a healthy season. I cant really control what goes on in a game situation." Darvish went on the 15-day disabled list last July with a right shoulder strain and was bothered by back nerve irritation in September. Darvish said he shied away from heavy lifting during the off-season to help the back. His lack of fastball command, which gets his pitch count up early, has been a concern. "Youll probably see during the course of the season how much I have improved," Darvish said. "Im more relaxed and I can do many things at my own pace and Im aware of whats going on and people know me better than in the past." An improved Darvish could equate to a blockbuster contract. No joke. Notes: RHP Tanner Scheppers (back spasms) and LHP Matt Harrison (stiff neck) were held out of throwing Tuesday. .2B Jurickson Profars right shoulder is still stiff, preventing him from throwing. He likely will be limited to DH duties until mid-March for exhibition games. Blackhawks Jerseys StoreCheap Wild JerseysCheap Red Wings JerseysCheap Maple Leafs JerseysPenguins Jerseys StoreCapitals Jerseys For SaleBlues Jerseys StoreCheap Kings JerseysAdidas Lightning JerseysStars Jerseys For SaleCheap Predators JerseysDucks StoreSharks Jerseys For SaleCheap Sabres JerseysRangers Jerseys For Sale ' ' '