2075 Las Vegas Rounders Draft Review

1-11
Josue Shirley CB Miami
6'2" 208 lbs


Heading into the 2075 draft, the direction of the Rounders' 2075 draft campaign was still a mystery. Despite many of the top RB prospects sighted in Las Vegas, there was plenty of talk about the holes in the secondary and in the wide receiver room. When the Rounders came on the clock, CB Josue Shirley's name was called almost immediately. Shirley's size and skills will translate immediately to a safety spot in the CFL. He has the potential to be a standout at the next level following his illustrious career at the University of Miami, where he was a 2-time All-ACC First Team defensive back.

Camp Notes:
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2-11
Kent Frazer RB Virginia
5'11" 217 lbs


Even after Vegas' first pick, there were rumors of TurfToe trying to work his way back into the first round to grab a running back. Our sources indicate a trade with Tucson was called off after RB Kristopher Clinton was selected at 1.16 by Atlantic City. As more of the top runners came off the board, Vegas seemed happy to find Virginia's Kent Frazer sitting there at 2.11. Frazer's patience for blocks to develop between the tackles and his ability to get outside and find his second gear make for an intriguing prospect. Some question the size of his tank and whether the increased game schedule will be a limiting factor at the next level. After Noah Finley and the Rounders both neglected to pursue a contract extension during 2074, it looks as though Finley is not retiring and has come back for one final year in the Rounders backfield. He will be mentoring a young RB room and could potentially increase his team-leading attempts and yardage numbers before calling it quits in the CFL.

Camp Notes:
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4-11
Ronald Agranoff RB Tulane
6'0" 224 lbs


Just as the Rounders were expected to address the defense at 4.11 with a reported favorite, LB Nickolas Kempa, the Rounders surprised everyone and took another RB, Tulane's Ronald Agranoff. Agranoff brings more size and more CFL-readiness to the Vegas backfield. Agranoff applies a slightly more slippery approach than Frazer and can also find the next gear once in the open. It will be interesting to see how these pieces fit together in the Rounders' backfield.

Camp Notes:
Training Camp: /
Judgment Day: /

5-05
Lenny Grutz TE Pittsburgh
6'4" 256 lbs


After signing 2 free agent TE's leading up to the draft, many weren't expecting Vegas to draft one as well. Pittsburgh's Lenny Grutz brings some athleticism to the group with his speed, agility, and football skills, all of which were on display at the combine. The athleticism jumps off the tape as well, with a highlight reel as popular as the top skill position players. Grutz was not brought to Vegas to block, and new OC Korey Howe is known to make full use of as many TE's as he can convince the GM to sign. Pundits expect Grutz to make frequent appearances on SportsCenter in his rookie season.

Camp Notes:
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Judgment Day: /

5-11
Freddie Urquoila RB UCLA
5'10" 200 lbs


Many had QB Dwayne Irey pegged to go to Vegas at 5.11, but Vegas missed their chance at 5.05 with Philly snagging their coveted kick holder at 5.06. Freddie is an interesting prospect coming out of UCLA, where he led his conference in receptions and receiving yards among RBs. Projected to be a 3rd down or change-of-pace back, Urquoila had a rough go of it at the combine. Some argue his 4.82 40 time is accurate, while others dodge the question and claim he plays faster than his times show. In either case, the 22 year old still needs to fill out and get faster if he plans to survive in the CFL. UCLA coaches rave about this kid's coachability despite struggling with standardized testing. Some men are just built for the game and it's Freddie's time to find out if he's one of them.

Camp Notes:
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6-10
Frank Beardsley G Georgia Tech
6'4" 315 lbs


OC Korey Howe brings the Air Coryell to Las Vegas for the first time in franchise history, and because of that, there has been a strategic shift in offensive line building in Sin City. Some of the moves before the draft illustrated this, and the Beardsley selection solidifies this approach by bringing a talented pass blocker in to take over swing Guard duties. Beardsley may never start in this league due to his lack of endurance, but he'll surely make a roster and be an invaluable piece to any CFL offensive line.

Camp Notes:
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6-11
Joel Farmer WR New Mexico
6'0" 192 lbs


Sometimes you just have to roll the dice. CB Perry Bjorlin was slated to be the Vegas dice roll in the 5th round, but he never made it, so backup dice roll candidate Joel Farmer was taken here. Farmer's 4.39 speed and maxed out Big Play Receiving bar just need one other bar to fit the mold, and it looks like Courage stepped up to the plate.

Camp Notes:
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Judgment Day: /

6-19
Norm Beaver CB Arkansas
5'7" 184 lbs


Norm Beaver is used to being counted out due to his size. He claims to have been overlooked at every level he has played, including at Arkansas, where this walk-on earned a scholarship and a gig as a 3-year starter. Despite his 5'7", 184 lb frame, Beaver has elite man coverage skills along with a nose for the run game. He may not be knocking people out, but he makes open-field tackles a habit. He's slated to compete for the nickel spot on Day 1 in Vegas.

Camp Notes:
Training Camp: /
Judgment Day: /

Notable standouts from Training Camp:

_________________
ROF Division Champions: 2039 - 2043, 2045, 2047, 2054, 2056 - 2060, 2063, 2066-2067, 2070-2072
WFC Conference Champions: 2018, 2041, 2042, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062-2063
CFL Champions: 2018, 2041, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062

Just got the clip from KLAS, Channel 8, in Las Vegas. Sharing for those who missed it...

[Local Vegas Sports Segment Intro Music Fades]

Blake Sterling:
Good evening, Las Vegas. This is Blake Sterling, KLAS Channel 8, reporting live from the 2075 CFL draft. Joining me tonight is Ricky “Meatball" Russo, Las Vegas’ favorite homer beat reporter.

The Rounders’ 2075 draft is officially in the books, and while it didn’t follow a predictable script, it certainly addressed some key needs—especially at running back and in the secondary.

Ricky “Meatball" Russo:
Blake, I’m gonna stop you right there—this wasn’t just a draft. This was a MASTERPIECE. Turf Toe? Certified genius. Put him in the Hall of Fame now. I’ve seen enough!

Blake:
Let’s slow the roll a bit Ricky. We won’t know if it was a masterpiece for another few seasons as these young players develop. While this draft strategy may not have followed conventional expectations, it certainly gave us plenty to talk about—especially with how aggressively they approached the running back position.

Ricky:
Blake, I’m fired up. I haven’t been this excited since I hit three cherries on a penny slot in Henderson. This draft? This is how dynasties start. Turf Toe didn’t just cook—he catered!

Blake:
Let’s… maybe hold off on that for a moment. Starting with Pick 1.11—Josue Shirley out of Miami. Cornerback by trade, but likely transitioning to safety. This fills a major need in the secondary.

Ricky:
Exactly! Big, physical, smart—this guy’s basically already an All-Pro safety. You don’t pass on that kind of talent. Secondary? Fixed. Done. Next problem!

Blake:
It’s a strong start, no doubt. But then we get to Pick 2.11—Kent Frazer, running back from Virginia. A necessary move given the uncertainty around Noah Finley, but there are durability concerns.

Ricky:
Concerns? I see a future 1,500-yard rusher! Patient runner, hits the edge, finds that second gear—this kid’s gonna FEAST in Vegas. And learning from Finley? Forget about it.

Blake:
Frazer does bring versatility. But then, at 4.11, they double down—Ronald Agranoff out of Tulane. Another running back.

Ricky:
Ohhh I LOVE this pick. You know what wins in this league? DEPTH. And now we got thunder AND lightning. Frazer softens ‘em up, Agranoff finishes ‘em off. Defensive coordinators are already losing sleep.

Blake:
Or you could argue they passed on defensive help they still needed. But moving on—Pick 5.05, Lenny Grutz, tight end from Pittsburgh. Somewhat surprising after signing two free agents at the position.

Ricky:
Surprising? No way. This is chess, Blake. Not checkers. Grutz is a mismatch nightmare. He’s not here to block—he’s here to put up highlight reels. SportsCenter every week, book it!

Blake:
He does fit the new offensive system under Korey Howe. Then at 5.11, another running back—Freddie Urquoila from UCLA. More of a receiving back, but questions about his speed.

Ricky:
Blake… stats don’t lie—except when they do. I’m telling you, this kid PLAYS faster. You can’t teach instincts. Third down? He’s your guy. Screens, checkdowns—boom, gone.

Blake:
That’s… optimistic. Now, Pick 6.10—Frank Beardsley, guard from Georgia Tech. A depth piece, strong pass blocker, fits the new offensive philosophy.

Ricky:
Unsung hero right there. Championships are built in the trenches, Blake! You need guys like Beardsley when injuries hit—and they WILL hit.

Blake:
Fair point. Then at 6.11, Joel Farmer, wide receiver from New Mexico. A true boom-or-bust pick with elite speed.

Ricky:
Boom. No bust. 4.39 speed? That’s Vegas jackpot speed! You get this guy the ball in space, it’s six points. Simple math.

Blake:
And finally, Pick 6.19—Norm Beaver, undersized corner out of Arkansas. But very productive and technically sound.

Ricky:
Classic underdog story! I LOVE this kid. Plays bigger than he is, tough as nails—he’s taking that nickel job, Blake. Day one.

Blake:
So, to sum it up—Vegas clearly prioritized the running back room, added athleticism at tight end and receiver, and took steps to improve the secondary. Still, there are questions about balance and whether all needs were fully addressed.

Ricky:
Questions? I got answers: Rounders are BACK, baby! Playoffs? Lock it in. Turf Toe knew exactly what he was doing.

Blake:
We’ll see how it translates on the field this season. That’s all for now—stay tuned for more coverage as training camp approaches.

Ricky:
And someone get me a Frazer jersey— extra-large… no, double extra-large. I’m bulking for the season!

[Outro Music Fades]

_________________
ROF Division Champions: 2039 - 2043, 2045, 2047, 2054, 2056 - 2060, 2063, 2066-2067, 2070-2072
WFC Conference Champions: 2018, 2041, 2042, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062-2063
CFL Champions: 2018, 2041, 2057-2058, 2060, 2062