Adam Adeboboye didn’t have to look far when seeking motivation and inspiration, intangibles any prospective candidate requires when the spotlight intensifies, the scrutiny more pronounced.

At York, Adeboboye played with Jamal Campbell and Chris Kolankowski, offensive linemen taken by the Argos in last year’s CFL draft, two young hopefuls who would eventually make the team.

If Adeboboye continues to climb the charts, he’ll be the latest York product to graduate to the pro ranks.

He took a big step Friday when Adeboboye was among the five players chosen to attend next week’s combine in Regina, where virtually every CFL official, coach, general and personnel employee will gather for the league’s annual occasion.

Campbell and Argos teammate Llevi Noel, who once played at U of T, were on hand as players strutted their stuff inside the bubble at Varsity Centre, where all nine CFL clubs were represented.

“Jamal is definitely an inspiration,’’ said Adeboboye, who played his high school ball at Northern. “We’re close. At York, we were part of a Christian group. I’ve talked to him a lot during this process. He’s a mentor. I asked a lot of questions as I did with Chris. I talked to both of them, two guys I definitely look up to.”

Adeboboye believes his exclusion from last year’s East-West game, a showcase that highlights some of Canada’s top university players, forced him to work hard.

He lives in Scarboro and often wakes up at 4:15 in the morning to begin the trek to York and ensure he arrives on time for his 6:30 a.m. workouts.

For Friday’s combine, Adeboboye got a chance to sleep in, awakening at 7 a.m.

“I’m not happy with some of my numbers, but the fact is I was able to be seen by teams,’’ said the defensive back. “I’m happy.”

Adeboboye now understands what awaits in Regina.

“Part of my game is to relax and have fun, enjoy everything,’’ added Adeboboye, whose family is from Nigeria. “I’ll take the same approach to Regina. You can tell when I’m having fun it helps relieve the tension from the guys around me.”

SAFETY FIRST FOR DEFENSIVE BACK

Jordan Hoover hails from the Soo and admittedly feels like he’s a long way from home.

If his learning curve continues to ascend, he’ll feel right at home playing for some CFL team lucky enough to draft him.

Hoover has can’t-miss written all over him, a Waterloo product who impressed the bird dogs gathered Friday inside Varsity Centre’s bubble.

Hoover, Adam Adeboboye, Richard Gillepsie, Jonah Pataki and Louis-Gabriel Beaudet were the five players selected to take part in next week’s CFL combine in Regina.

In the Soo, sports is highly competitive and Hoover earned his name, briefly playing basketball, competing at OFSAA as a hurdler and football.

Ever since he strapped on the shoulder pads, Hoover has dreamed of making football his career.

His approach for Regina is simple.

“With confidence, head held high,’’ he said. “It might be next-level competition for the guys already there, but the biggest competition is me. I’ve just got to stay focused and keep my mind right, body right. I’ve got a week to prepare and I’m going to take full advantage of that, get on the plane and go out and perform.”

Hoover played in last year’s East-West Bowl, saying he was disappointed in his time.

On Friday, he wanted to wipe away any doubt.

“I did that and I’m very proud,’’ added Hoover, a defensive back. “Everything else, I was comfortable in my ability, I felt good. The one-on-ones I was disappointed in myself, but I’ll rebound and come out strong next week.”

Hoover is a defensive back, but figures he can easily transition to safety.

He really enjoys watching Blue Bombers safety Taylor Loffler, a hard-hitting safety who became a revelation in Winnipeg last season.

“I want to play like him,’’ said Hoover. “He’s a little big bigger and taller, but he’s an inspiration, balling and showing the league what he’s worth. I want to be just like him.”

GILLEPSIE HAS MENTAL TOUGHNESS

There’s a bit of rugby in Richard Gillepsie’s sporting blood, not surprising given his Whitby roots and the proximity to Uxbridge.

Some of Canada’s premier rugby players are from Uxbridge and Gillepsie realized how football would be his calling, perhaps the sport that takes him to the pro level.

It remains to be seen what impact Friday’s CFL regional combine will have for him, but it’s never bad when your name gets called and only five players were asked to advance to the final stage of evaluation, which arrives next week in Regina.

“Relief, excitement, it just feels good to take another step in trying to make your dream come,’’ he said. “I truly feel blessed.”

As you might expect, there are always nerves in such settings where every movement, time, misstep is kept or clocked.

“I was nervous, but you have to fall back and trust your preparation, body and mental state,’’ said Gillepsie.

Mental toughness is one of Gillepsie’s biggest strengths.

“One of the biggest things I have is that I’m very self-sufficient,’’ added Gillepsie, a defensive back from U of T. “I train myself and take care of the different aspects. I definitely want to see teams that I’m an independent guy who can do what he needs to do on his own. Of course, guidance is always appreciated.”

Gillepsie likes to describe his athletic path as a winding road, each turn he’s able to rely on his self-motivation and self-reliance.

“If I want it, I’ll figure out a way to get it,’’ he added.

Gillepsie has played football for years, but it was only until three years ago when he envisioned playing at the pro level.

Being at Varsity, Gillepsie home turf helped. His U of T teammates, family and girlfriend were on hand, making it even sweeter when Gillepsie heard his name called.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com