The Ottawa REDBLACKS selected Samoan defensive lineman Blessman Ta’ala with the first overall selection in the 2023 CFL Global Draft on Tuesday.
With their second selection, 10th overall, the REDBLACKS chose Swedish offensive lineman Lucas Lavin.
“We’re excited to add two quality players we had identified as being good fits for our club,” said REDBLACKS General Manager Shawn Burke. “We’re looking forward to seeing them in camp, and welcoming them to Ottawa.”
Ta’ala, 24, is a 6-2, 305-pound defensive tackle from Pago Pago, American Samoa. He appeared in 64 games over five seasons with the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, racking up a total of 142 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Lavin, 27, most recently played for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, after transferring from Northern Colorado in the summer of 2022. A native of Nykoping, Sweden, Lavin helped the Mocs to a 7-4 finish, last season.
With the Global Draft now complete, the REDBLACKS quickly switch gears later Tuesday with the 2023 CFL Draft beginning tonight at 8 PM with Ottawa holding the first-overall selection.
