TORONTO — As free agency loomed in February of 2015, the Edmonton Eskimos made their first move ahead of what was to be a hectic couple of weeks. With over a dozen FAs set to hit the market, they inked international running back John White to a contract extension. A running back who had shown flashes in years previous, all but forgotten due to a season-ending injury.

Somewhat surprising to some outside the organization to ink an international rtailback whose numbers were decent but by no means jumped off the page. At the same time, he was coming off a campaign which was sat out due to a ruptured Achilles.

Entering a season where some had forgotten his potential, all White did was finish fourth in the league and rushing, third in the league in TDs on the ground and run all over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to the tune of 165 yards in the Eastern Semi-Final.

That brings us to two players with paths that almost mirror that of White. One is a fellow running back, the other is a teammate on the other side of the ball, both of which fell to the same Achilles injury, both without a 2016 stat to their resume.

Not unlike White, both John Ojo and William Powell were given an opportunity to potentially take the leap into elite territory were it not for derailing injuries that would end their season before they basically began.

So, what lends some to believe that they can be the ‘John White of 2017’? Let’s take a look:

William Powell

Before the Injury: Midway through 2015, Powell was just the latest in a revolving door backfield in Ottawa that was in search of a steady, every down running back. During the final third of the season it had seemed as though the REDBLACKS had indeed found that in the Kansas State product. Despite being the feature back in a pass-happy offence, Powell generated 447 rushing yards and another 158 out of the backfield in seven games and was penciled in to be the starting back come 2016 until an off-season injury erased his entire campaign.

The Injury: Readying for what was to be his year, Powell tore his achilles in training camp sidelining him for the entire season as he watched the REDBLACKS cycle through another half-dozen running backs and grind out a run to their first championship in the process.

Opportunity Knocks: Like White, the door is wide open for Powell whose team is still looking for a stable ball carrier despite winning the Grey Cup last season. Powell is still only 28 but despite spending time with four NFL teams prior to joining Ottawa, doesn’t have the miles on him that some backs do at that age. Running backs tend to take a pounding over the course of a few years but assuming his recovery is complete, his lack of playing time may pay off. It is for that reason why Powell may not only get a significant shot to take the starting role in Ottawa but could garner attention in February from other teams when he becomes a free agent.

John Ojo

Before the Injury: Ojo made his presence felt immediately, earning a league All-Star nod in his first CFL season, posting 41 defensive tackles and five interceptions. All was trending up for Ojo heading into his sophomore season after the 26-year-old Florida A&M product proved not only to be a ball-hawk but as good a shut down DB as any in the CFL while helping the Esks capture the Grey Cup in 2015.

The Injury: Two days prior to Powell suffering his injury, Ojo tore his Achilles in practice during training camp and as a result, his 2016 campaign was done.

Opportunity Knocks: The Eskimos defence really started to gel late last season after a rocky start but to think that they wouldn’t find a spot for Ojo if healthy would be unlikely. He too is a free agent and after an all-star season in 2015. Can his standout rookie campaign propel him to a new contract in Edmonton or elsewhere? Many seem to think so.