Clayster Hints At Vanguard Return With Challengers Roster
What must a three-time world champion need to do to find a roster that wants him for more than a season-and-a-half? Unfortunately, this is the tale for James "Clayster" Eubanks, who has been left scratching his head season upon season despite finding success at the upper echelons of the Call of Duty ladder year upon year.
Having lost his place on the New York Subliners in the Vanguard era, Clayster has yet to find an organisation where he can lead the line, with many teams having already settled down with a prominent Assault Rifle main and built their teams around that role.
Struggling to replace any solid bricks for current teams, Clayster has now hinted at a return to competition in the second-tier of the Call of Duty pro scene, and could even feature against his former team in a matter of days.
Clayster Expresses Desire To Compete In Challengers
Despite having been forced to take mental health breaks during the Cold War Season, after two years of back to back World Championships (Dallas Empire 2020 and eUnited 2019), the fire within Clayster persists, and now he looks ready to give it all again.
"Man... I miss competing," he recently said on Twitter, after substituting in for a scrim game alongside fellow ex-Empire player Tyler "FeLo" Johnson.
"Might actually have to run some s**t up in challengers the rest of this year if I don't get back on a pro team," he continued.
Could Clayster Be Joining Toronto Ultra Academy?
A return to competitive Call of Duty may be nearer than he originally thought though. A report from Dot Esports suggested that London Royal Ravens are making a change to their roster, seeing Harry "Harry" Payne be called to action instead of Joey "Gismo" Owen who has faced personal difficulties in his rookie season, despite being an outstanding breakout performer.
Harry, who is on loan at Toronto Ultra Academy, would be leaving the side without a fourth player for the upcoming Pro-Am - the CDL's first competition to include the best-ranked Challengers teams against the 12 professional franchises.
With the reports surfacing, and the team looking for an established Assault Rifle player, Clayster cryptically tweeted, "Left without a fourth you say...", indicating that he would be open to playing with the roster.
The Pro-Am will kick off on May 5, where Toronto Ultra Academy's EU side is pitted in the same group at OpTic Texas (also playing with a substitute with Jordan "General" General subbing in for an injured Indervir "iLLeY" Dhaliwal), Minnesota ROKKR (who announced a new signing in Colt "Havoc" McLendon after extensive trials), and Florida Mutineers.