OTTAWA – The Ottawa REDBLACKS added nine new players on Tuesday night during the 2022 CFL Draft, led by second-overall pick, offensive lineman Zack Pelehos.
“It was a great night for the organization,” said GM Shawn Burke. “We think we serviced all three sides — offence, defence and special teams — so we’re excited.”
REDBLACKS TAKE PELEHOS WITH SECOND PICK OF FIRST ROUND
The Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected University of Ottawa Gee-Gees offensive lineman Zack Pelehos with their first-round pick, second overall, in the 2022 CFL Draft.
Pelehos, 22, won’t have to stray far from his roots, on his path to the CFL. The Gananoque, Ontario native starred for the Gee-Gees, earning First Team OUA All-Star honours, and being awarded Gee-Gees Team MVP in 2021.
Were his play not enough, Pelehos starred at the 2022 Regional Combine. The 6’6 300lbs tackle finished first among offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash (5.34), three-cone drill (7.92), short shuttle (4.69), vertical jump (29.50in), and broad jump (8’ 9 ¾“), as well as tying for first place in the bench press (16 reps).
Zack Pelehos
Position: Offensive Line
School: University of Ottawa
Born: July 12, 1999
Height: 6’6
Weight: 300lbs
REDBLACKS TAKE HOGAN-SAINDON WITH FIRST PICK OF SECOND ROUND
With their first pick of the second round, 11th overall, in the 2022 CFL Draft, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected offensive lineman Cyrille Hogan-Saindon, of the Laval Rouge et Or.
“Cyrille is big, athletic, and can move,” said Head Coach Paul LaPolice. “He’s one of most physical guys in the draft, and I think a lot of teams had their eye on him.”
Hogan-Saindon, 24, suited up for his first full season with Laval in 2021, earning a First Team RSEQ All-Star nod. At the CFL Draft Combine, Hogan-Saindon hit 26 reps of the 225lbs bench press: the most among offensive linemen.
Cyrille Hogan-Saindon
Position: Offensive line
School: Laval
Born: August 6, 1997
Height: 6’5
Weight: 300lbs
REDBLACKS PICK JESSE LUKETA WITH TERRITORIAL SELECTION
With their second pick of the second round, 20th overall, in the 2022 CFL Draft, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected linebacker Jesse Luketa, of Penn State.
Luketa, 23, appeared in four seasons with the Nittany Lions, totalling 151 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, an interception, a touchdown, and half a sack. He was selected in the seventh round, 256th overall, by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Jesse Luketa
Position: Linebacker
School: Penn State
Born: January 15, 1999
Height: 6’3
Weight: 247lbs
REDBLACKS PICK BRUGGELING WITH 22ND PICK OF THIRD ROUND
With the 22nd overall pick in the 2022 CFL Draft, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected receiver Keaton Bruggeling, of the Carleton Ravens.
Bruggeling, 23, starred for the Ravens through six games in 2021, racking up 17 receptions for 225 yards, and three touchdowns. At the draft combine, he ran a 4.55 40-yard dash, with a 37.5in vertical jump, 7.12 three-cone drill, and 4.33 shuttle.
Keaton Bruggeling
Position: Receiver
School: Carleton
Born: October 23, 1998
Height: 6’3
Weight: 212lbs
REDBLACKS PICK VALENTE WITH 31ST PICK OF FOURTH ROUND
With the 31st overall pick in the 2022 CFL Draft, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected defensive back Daniel Valente, of the Western Mustangs. Valente, 22, recorded 17 tackles in five games with the Mustangs, en route to a Vanier Cup victory in 2021.
Daniel Valente
Position: Defensive back
School: Western
Born: October 23, 1999
Height: 5’11
Weight: 176lbs
REDBLACKS PICK APPOLON WITH 40TH PICK OF FIFTH ROUND
With the 40th overall pick in the 2022 CFL Draft, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected linebacker Woodly Appolon, of Tuskegee University.
Appolon, 25, recorded 79 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and two pass deflections in 2021.
Woodly Appolon
Position: Linebacker
School: Tuskegee University
Born: July 26, 1996
Height: 6’4
Weight: 220lbs
REDBLACKS PICK OYESORO WITH 49TH PICK OF SIXTH ROUND
With the 49th overall pick in the 2022 CFL Draft, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected linebacker Subomi Oyesoro, of the Calgary Dinos.
Oyesoro, 20, is a Calgary native, and recorded 33 tackles in 2021.
Subomi Oyesoro
Position: Linebacker
School: Calgary
Born: May 21, 2002
Height: 6’1
Weight: 215lbs
REDBLACKS PICK ROSS WITH 58TH PICK OF SEVENTH ROUND
With the 58th overall pick in the 2022 CFL Draft, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected tight end Connor Ross, of St. Francis Xavier.
Ross, 23, of Coldbrook, Nova Scotia played a total of 30 games with the X-Men, hauling in 24 receptions for 207 yards.
Connor Ross
Position: Tight end
School: St. Francis Xavier
Born: March 24, 1999
Height: 6’1
Weight: 250lbs
REDBLACKS PICK PERRIER WITH 67TH PICK OF EIGHTH ROUND
With the 67th overall pick, and their final in the 2022 CFL Draft, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected running back Luca Perrier, of the Laval Rouge et Or.
Perrier, 26, was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. He rushed for 284 yards on 29 attempts, scoring three touchdowns, in 2021.
Luca Perrier
Position: Running back
School: Laval
Born: January 25, 1996
Height: 6’0
Weight: 200lbs
