Weyburn's Brett Jones is now a Calgary Stampeder. Jones went in the second round, 16th overall, in the CFL draft on Monday. The offensive lineman played four years with the University of Regina Rams.
Weyburn's Brett Jones is now a Calgary Stampeder. Jones went in the second round, 16th overall, in the CFL draft on Monday. The offensive lineman played four years with the University of Regina Rams.
"This is definitely a great opportunity; Calgary has great coaches and I am really excited," said Jones. "They compete every year. There were a lot of teams that were interested (in me), so I knew that I was going to be picked, I just didn't know who."
"It will definitely be different," said Jones, when asked about wearing red-and-black for the Stampeders. "But this is my team now."
Jones had a very successful career with the Rams. "They have a great program, and great players, it was a great four years for me."
During his time with the Rams, Jones was named a Canada West all-star in 2011 and 2012, a first-team CIS All-Canadian in each of those seasons, and Canada West's outstanding lineman in 2012.
Jones was Canada West's nominee for the J.P Metras Trophy and the Russ Jackson award as the conference's top student athlete for the second consecutive season.
Before the CFL draft, Jones was in the CFL Scouting Bureau's top-15 rankings all season. He was placed eighth on the final pre-draft list, and was invited to the CFL combine training camp in Toronto in March.
Of course, Jones started his football career with the Weyburn Comp Eagles, where he helped the Eagles win Regina Intercollegiate Football league 3A titles in 2007 and 2008, as well as a provincial 3A championship in 2007.
After his final season with the Comp, Jones was named a Stewart conference All-Star.
"When I left high school, I wasn't that confident about my football skills. But after doing all that work, hopefully it will show on the field," said Jones.
"It is finally time for me to move on to the next path, and see where that takes me."
Jones was also happy that three other Rams teammates were also drafted, Stefan Charles, Jorgen Hus and Christopher Mercer, all three to Edmonton. "It will be different playing against those guys, but I am really happy for them."
During the CFL draft, the Saskatchewan Roughriders selected eastern Michigan University offensive lineman Corey Watman during the fourth overall pick in the first round.
Saskatchewan traded down in order to make a cluster of picks in the fifth. The Riders watched Weyburn product Brett Jones go to the Stampeders while sitting out the second, third and fourth rounds. During the fifth round, the Riders picked up offensive-lineman Matt Vonk from Waterloo University.
Immediately after was wide-receiver Alex Anthony for the 39th pick.
Then the Riders decided to select defensive-lineman Levi Steinhauer out of the University of Saskatchewan.
The Riders also grabbed tight-end Spencer Moore 44th overall, and the sixth round pick was Thomas Spoletini, a linebacker out of Calgary.
To close out the day in the seventh round it was Ontario native, Eric Armitage, another offensive lineman from Western University.
