CFL announces changes to Command Centre operations

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Changes are coming to the Command Centre for the second half of the Canadian Football League season.

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On Thursday, the league announced a number of alterations to how the video review centre operates after receiving plenty of scrutiny in recent weeks over questionable calls and reviews.

Going forward for coaches’ challenges and automatic reviews, replay officials will have a “renewed focus on employing the clear and obvious principle in its decision-making.”

The “clear and obvious” principle is defined as “having a clear, unobstructed view of the action in question, and the correct outcome is obvious when compared to an established standard created by the rules committee and the CFL officiating department.”

In a media release, the CFL said the Command Centre will only intervene if there is clear evidence of a mistake made by on-field officials. The new rules also says the correction will be made without causing a significant delay.

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The League also announced they are reducing the roster of replay officials to increase consistency within the reviews. Replay officials will also undergo “enhanced evaluations” to ensure consistency and accountability.

The new measures were implemented after consultation with each team’s president, general manager and head coach.

After the 2024 season, the Command Centre will undergo a comprehensive review.

CFL Scouting Bureau

On Thursday, the CFL also announced the Fall edition of the CFL Scouting Bureau rankings ahead of the 2025 CFL Draft.

Atop the list is quarterback Kurtis Rourke, an Oakville, Ont. Product and the younger brother of B.C. Lions’ pivot Nathan Rourke.

Kurtis, who started his college career with the Ohio Bobcats, was also on the Scouting Bureau rankings last year but decided to return to the university, transferring to Indiana.

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CFL Scouting Bureau Fall Rankings:

Rank | Name | Position | School | Hometown

• 1 | Kurtis Rourke | QB | Indiana | Oakville, Ont.
• 2 | Damien Alford | WR | Utah | Montreal, Que.
• 3 | Paris Shand | DL | LSU | Toronto, Ont.
• 4 | Eric Schon | OL | Duke | Barrie, Ont.
• 5 | Jackson Findlay | DB | Western | North Vancouver, B.C.
• 6 | Nolan Ulm | WR | Eastern Washington | Kelowna, B.C.
• 7 | Akheem Mesidor | DL | Miami | Ottawa, Ont.
• 8 | Isaiah Bagnah | DL | BYU | Lethbridge, Alta.
• 9 | Wesley Bailey | DL | Rutgers | Ottawa, Ont.
• 10 | Keelan White | WR | Montana | North Vancouver, B.C.
• 11 | Jett Elad | DB | UNLV | Mississauga, Ont.
• 12 | Rene Konga | DL | Louisville | Ottawa, Ont.
• 13 | Devynn Cromwell | DB | Texas Tech | Toronto, Ont.
• 14 | Jeremiah Ojo | DL | Montreal | Montreal, Que.
• 15 | Devin Veresuk | LB | Windsor | Windsor, Ont.
• 16 | Nate Martey | DL | Arkansas State | Ottawa, Ont.
• 17 | Erik Andersen | OL | Western | London, Ont.
• 18 | Harold Miessan | LB | Montreal | Montreal, Que.
• 19 | Darien Newell | DL | Queen’s | Brampton, Ont.
• 20 | Jaylen Smith | DB | North Texas | Hamilton, Ont.

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