The Ottawa REDBLACKS of the Canadian Football League on Sunday selected Evan Johnson out of Saskatchewan with their first round pick, 9th overall, in the 2017 CFL Draft. In total, the REDBLACKS added eight new faces to RNation that also included Ottawa native Eli Ankou.
“We’re happy with what we were able to get,” said REDBLACKS General Manager Marcel Desjardins. “You’re not always going to get your top guys and you hope that some guys are going to fall to later, but overall, we’re quite happy and we’re going to have a lot of very good young players coming into camp to compete.
Johnson is a 6-4, 280-lb offensive lineman who has played eight games in each of the last four seasons for the Huskies.
Of their first-round pick in Johnson, Desjardins said he brings several important intangibles.
“Evan is an an outstanding offensive lineman and offensive tackle with great skill set, athleticism, feet and strength. His ceiling is extremely high and that’s why we felt he was the best choice for us.”
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Gosselin, a running back out of the University of Sherbrooke, ran the fastest 40-yard time for any running back or fullback at the CFL combine 4.73 seconds. Ankou, who hails from Orleans, has 87 tackles during his time at UCLA.
Ottawa selected the following players Sunday night:
1st round, 9th overall:
Evan Johnson | OL | University of Saskatchewan | 6-4 | 280 lbs
2nd round, 18th overall:
Anthony Gosselin | RB | University of Sherbrooke | 6-0 | 251 lbs
3rd Round, 27th Overall:
Eli Ankou | DL | UCLA | 6-3 | 284 lbs
4th Round, 36th Overall:
Louis-Philippe Bourassa | RB | University of Montreal | 6-3 | 231 lbs
5th Round, 45th Overall:
Mathieu Dupuis | DL | University of Montreal | 6-2 | 296 lbs
6th Round, 54th Overall:
Austen Hartley | WR | University of Calgary | 5-10 | 190 lbs
7th Round, 63rd Overall:
Ed Ilnicki | RB | University of Alberta | 5-10 | 220 lbs
8th Round, 72nd Overall:
Jordan Filippelli | OL | University of Calgary | 6-6 | 310 lbs
The REDBLACKS begin training camp at TD Place on Wednesday, May 24 when rookies report. The team’s first full training camp practice will take place on Saturday, May 27 at TD Place.
Ottawa plays two pre-season games this season – the first at TD Place against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 8, followed by road date in Montreal against the Alouettes on June 15.
The title defence for the REDBLACKS begins June 23 at TD Place when the Calgary Stampeders visit the nation’s capital for a Grey Cup rematch.
The Home Opener Ticket Pack is available at OttawaREDBLACKS.com, by calling 613.232.6767 X1 or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.
