One of Saskatchewan’s trademarks is their ability to produce quality football players. Whether the players begin at the grassroots level or they travel outside of the province to finish their development before turning professional, the University of Regina Rams and University of Saskatchewan Huskies have become of the two of the top programs in the country for future Canadian Football League (CFL) players.
On Tuesday night, along with defensive back Jaxon Ford being picked by the Roughriders, the Rams had three other players selected in the CFL Draft. The Huskies also had four players taken.
All of the players from the Rams and Huskies appeared as guests on the 620 CKRM CFL Draft show with Michael Ball during draft night.
Dayton Black name was called in the first round when he was selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats with the sixth selection. The offensive lineman was named a Canada West All-Star last season with the Huskies.
Black was ecstatic when the pick was revealed.
“I got no worries right now. ”
The Winnipeg product was surrounded by his family and his several teammates from the University of Saskatchewan when he heard the news.
After competing as a quarterback during his high school career, Black says Huskies Head Coach Scott Flory was responsible for him switching to the offensive line.
“He sat me down and he said you want to go pro and play in the CFL? It’s not going to be at quarterback, it’s going to be on o-line.”
The first University of Regina Ram to be taken was Anthony Bennett. The defensive end established a new single season record for the program in sacks with eight. He also tied a record for most tackles for loss with 10.5.
Bennett was enjoying the CFL Draft festivities from Florida on Tuesday night.
Leading up the draft, the defensive end said the Bombers were interested in him.
“They told me, they said hey, I don’t think you’re going that far, but if you do, I got a phone call for you.”
Even though he was not a member of the previous Bombers Grey Cup champion teams, Bennett is already thinking about November.
“We going to the Grey Cup again, we going to win again. ”
Winnipeg doubled down on the green and gold when they picked up Rams defensive lineman Tanner Schmekel with the 35th pick in the fourth round.
Last season the Regina product was named U Sports First Team All-Canadian and a Canada West All-Star.
Ram linebacker Josh White is heading to the nation’s capital as he was selected by the Ottawa REDBLACKS with the 25th overall selection in the third round.
Being drafted by a CFL team was the most important thing to White.
“As long as I’m drafted that’s all that matters to me. ”
During the draft process, the linebacker said the REDBLACKS showed plenty of interest.
“We’ve kept in contact and definitely been talking over the past couple of weeks and had a good interview at the Combine. ”
White believes Ottawa is heading on the right path.
“The players they have they are ready and just the whole makeup of the team. ”
He is also happy that he’s now teammates with fellow linebacker James Peters with Ottawa picking the Gee-Gees product in the second round.
Ottawa added a prospect from the University of Saskatchewan when they took wide receiver Daniel Perry at the top of the fifth round.
Last season the receiver had 797 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games with the Huskies.
After being named a Canada West All-Star and the Huskies Football Rookie of the Year, defensive back Charlie Ringland is a now a BC Lion. He was picked with the 43rd selection in the fifth round.
Even though he had a little bit of a wait before he was picked. The Winnipeg product is happy with an opportunity.
“Especially in the CFL, it doesn’t matter if you’re drafted or a free agent, if you get on the field, you’re going to get paid. ”
Ringland gave a lot of credit to his positional coach with the Huskies, Regina’s Paul Woldu, calling him one of the best coaches he has ever worked with.
In the final round, Huskies wide receiver Caleb Morin was picked by the Tiger-Cats with the 67th pick. Despite the delay, Morin was excited by the news, especially since he will be joining Black, Morin’s college teammate and good friend.
Starting out as a walk-on with the Huskies back in 2017, Morin used a chip on his shoulder to work his way on the Huskies roster and he’s planning to do the same in Hamilton.
“That’s how I live my life, I was never given anything, I got to work for every opportunity I get, so that’s just how I go. ”
The work is far from over for the players with rookie camp beginning a week away. Now a new kind of battle has flourished on the gridiron with the former Rams and Huskies looking to make the transition to the pro game.
