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12 CJFL Players Drafted

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 05/10/16, 10:45PM PDT

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The CFL Draft was rich with former CJFL players

A total of 12 former CJFL players were selected on Tuesday in the CFL Draft.

Former Ottawa Sooners defensive lineman Trent Corney was the first CJFL alumni to be drafted, chosen in second round by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  He played for the Sooners in 2011.

In the third round former Westshore Rebels kicker Quinn Van Glyswyk was selected 26th overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  Van Glyswyk was a standout for the Rebels last playing with them in 2012.  That season he connected on 61% of his kicks and recorded the BCFC’s longest field goal of 47 yards.  He was outstanding for the UBC Thunderbirds last year on route to the Vanier Cup.

With the 30th overall selection the BC Lions bulked up their offensive line with a former Ottawa Sooner in Dillon Guy.

Receiver Llevi Noel was drafted by the Toronto Argos, 31st overall in the fourth round.  He played a season with the Windsor AKO Fratman of the OFC.

The next selection was made by the BC Lions and they took former London Beefeaters receiver Shaquille Johnson at #32 overall.  Just one season ago he played with the Beefs and was dominating in the OFC.

Just five picks later, another former CJFLer heard his name called.  Calgary Colt alum and linebacker Alex Ogbongbemiga is off to Regina to suit up for the Roughriders.

With the final pick of the fifth round the defending Grey Cup champs selected former London Beefeater defensive back Josh Woodman.  He was in London during the 2012 season.

In the sixth round Okanagan Sun defensive back Brennan Van Nistelrooy was selected 48th overall by the BC Lions.  After being named the BCFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 with six interceptions, the Lethbridge native stays in BC and will attend camp on a familiar field; Hillside Stadium in Kamloops.

Also in the sixth round former Winnipeg Rifles offensive lineman Alex McKay will move one province over after the Roughriders selected him 52nd overall.  

Just two picks later another former OFC player was taken.   St. Leonard Cougars alumnus, linebacker Arto Khatchikian was selected 54th overall by the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

With the next pick the Blue Bombers stayed in their own backyard selecting former Rifles receiver Alex Vitt.  “Anyone from around here who has watched him play saw a guy who plays 100 miles per hour...he had a fantastic career and the coaches speak so highly of him from a work ethic and toughness standpoint,” stated Bombers’ Kyle Walters.

The final CJFL alumnus to be selected was former Regina Thunder defensive lineman Boyd Richardson, going in the eighth round, 65th overall to the BC Lions.

The CFL Draft is just one of the steps these nine players have taken as they try to achieve their goal of playing professional football.    For most of them, CFL training camp opens in just two weeks.

Congratulations to these nine players and their families, good luck at training camp!