Alouettes draft explosive defensive-tackle Foote
‘I do not let any offensive lineman … bully me,’ McMaster Marauder says
Fabion Foote had his sights set on the NFL this winter while working out and getting stronger. So the Canadian Football League in general, and the Alouettes in particular, arguably were his second choice.
But if the six-foot-two, 285-pound defensive tackle had any disappointment after being selected by the Als in the secondround — 12th overall — during Sunday night’s Canadian college draft, he masked it well.
“I’m very excited. I view myself as an excellent player. I’m really happy they agreed with me and gave me the opportunity,” Foote told the Montreal Gazette by telephone from his home in Toronto’s Rexdale neighbourhood. “I’m not disappointed and gave (going to the NFL) everything I had.
“I did my best. But when reality hits, reality hits. Whatever happened happened. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be playing in Montreal now.”
For the first time since 2012 — and only the third since the franchise returned to the league in 1996 — Montreal was without a first-round selection. There was speculation earlier in the day the Als might make a trade for the B.C. Lions’ second opening-round pick, the seventh-overall selection.
Former Als general manager Jim Popp, who now holds the same position with Toronto, traded Montreal’s first-round pick (third overall) to B.C. last May for the rights to quarterback Vernon Adams.
It was believed the Als would move up to select Carleton receiver Nate Behar, but he ended up going fifth overall to Edmonton. Kavis Reed, who replaced Popp, shot down the rumours.
“We were not going to take a receiver that high,” Reed said. “We have a lot of depth there. Defensive tackle was our focus to protect the ratio.”
Heading into the draft, Reed said linebacker and the secondary were on his radar. But he has changed the ratio this season, adding nonimports Jabar Westerman, Keith Shologan and Don Oramasionwu along the defensive line so he can play two imports at offensive tackle.
UCLA linebacker Cameron Judge went second overall to Saskatchewan in the draft. Calgary made a trade with Winnipeg to select defensive lineman Randy Colling sixth overall. It’s believed the Als were interested in both.
Foote comes out of an excellent collegiate program at McMaster University in Hamilton. After recording 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks in his first three seasons combined, he exploded for the Marauders in 2016 with 36 total tackles, eight tackles for losses and three sacks.
Foote’s considered an explosive and athletic player with a low centre of gravity. He also said he’s fast and aggressive. He moved to Toronto from Jamaica with his family at age 11, coming to McMaster after only one year of high school football.
“I play in a dominant way. I do not let any offensive lineman or anyone run me over or bully me,” he said. “I just make sure I leave my mark on the field every single play and beat the guy in front of me.
“I don’t want to disappoint. I want to do my best, be the best player I can be and be dominant.”
Heading into the draft, Foote was rated 18th overall by the CFL’s scouting bureau, so the Als will argue they were fortunate he was still available.
“He’s a tenacious player that plays with very good technique and fits our style of play,” Reed said.
Foote, a sociology major who graduated this spring, works out in downtown Toronto at Laylor Performance Systems. His strength coach, Clance Laylor, handles conditioning for NHL players including former Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban. Foote said he goes to improve his power and speed.
“I wanted to make sure I was strong as my competition,” Foote said. “My goal always has been to be the strongest guy wherever I am. I’m already fast, physical and athletic. If I’m stronger than everyone else, it makes it that much easier to dominate at my position.
“Watching other names get called, I was getting more nervous and antsy for the opportunity. I’m just grateful and thankful Montreal selected me. I’m excited to come in there and show them what I can do and have a great and successful career there.”
As expected, Iowa defensivetackle Faith Ekakitie went first overall in the draft to Winnipeg. The Blue Bombers then announced they had signed him to a three-year contract.
The Als selected Henderson State defensive back Dondre Wright with their third-round pick (20th overall). He has the ability to play in the secondary or down in the box as a linebacker. Montreal’s other picks included UBC receiver Alexander Morrison, 29th overall; Carleton OL Zach Annen, 39th; Carleton receiver Malcolm Carter, 45th; Calgary receiver Denzel Radford, 48th; Ottawa DB Ty Cranston, 56th; and Sherbrooke tight-end Oumar Toure, 65th.
Université de Montréal defensive tackle Junior Luke was the first local product taken. He went seventh overall to B.C. McGill offensive lineman Qadr Spooner went in the second round (15th overall) by Winnipeg, one behind Laval offensive lineman JeanSimon Roy, taken by Edmonton. Sherbrooke fullback Anthony Gosselin completed the second round (18th overall), selected by Ottawa.
Montreal offensive tackle Justin Senior, who played collegiately at Mississippi State and was ranked first overall by the CFL, went 40th to Edmonton. Senior was drafted in the sixth round by the Seattle Seahawks.