Tuesday evening college players from around North America were looking for new homes in the CFL draft. Despite a rough, 3-15 season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, they were at least able to salvage something with the first overall pick.
With the selection, they chose offensive lineman Josiah St. John from the University of Oklahoma. At around 5 p.m., the pick came in from the Roughriders war room, and the 6”6’, 300-pound Toronto native was going to be a Roughrider.
In 2015, he played in seven games with four starts at right tackle for the Sooners. He saw playing time against Iowa State and started against Texas, West Virginia and Tulsa.
“He was the highest ranked guy on our board,” head coach and general manager Chris Jones said in an interview with CBC. “You build your football team with linemen and firmly you always have to make sure you go after those in drafts. I don’t care what draft it is, or what league you’re in, you have to have great offensive linemen.”
Without a second round selection, the Roughriders drafted Elie Bouka, defensive back from the University of Calgary, 24th overall. The 6”1’, 205-pound DB returned the opening kickoff in his first CIS game 74 yards for a touchdown and has quick, sideline-to-sideline movement. Before going to Calgary, he was a wide receiver and has a good pair of hands on him. He was a talented enough player that he signed with the Arizona Cardinals following the April NFL draft.
Saskatchewan followed that up by taking kicker/punter Quinn van Gylswyk with the 26th overall pick. Gylswyk has said the style of the CFL game will only improve his abilities, as he eyes a chance in the NFL somewhere down the road.
RECAP
Round 1, 1st overall: Josiah St. John, offensive line
Round 3, 24th overall: Elie Bouka, defensive back
Round 3, 26th overall: Quinn van Gylswyk, kicker/punter
Round 4, 35th overall: David Onyemata, defensive lineman
Round 5, 36th overall: Alex Ogbongbemiga, defensive lineman
Round 6, 52nd overall: Alex McKay, offensive lineman
Round 8, 62nd overall: Joshua Stanford, receiver
