Chapman No. 1 in CFL draft
Mount Doug grad Davis goes to Ticats in the fourth round
TORONTO — Trey Rutherford finally has clarity regarding his football future but will have to wait to celebrate.
The UConn offensive lineman went second overall to the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League draft Thursday night. The six-footfive, 318-pound native of Markham, Ont., was the first of a record seven offensive linemen taken in the opening round but with a major paper due today, the sociology major couldn’t revel in his selection.
“It’s definitely a big relief,” Rutherford said during a conference call. Then it was back to the books.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats took receiver Mark Chapman first overall. The six-foot, 180-pound Chapman had 59 catches for 875 yards and five TDs last year at Central Michigan University and finished his collegiate career with 147 receptions for 2,035 yards and 10 TDs.
“I’d never thought I’d be No. 1, let alone be in a position to play professional ball,” Chapman said. “To go No. 1 in a professional draft was amazing.
The B.C. Lions selected Rice offensive lineman Peter Godber at No. 3, a pick they obtained from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Wednesday. The sixfoot-three, 300-pound Toronto native was sent home early from the CFL combine after not testing but six CFL clubs went to his pro day.
The Ottawa Redblacks took Alberta’s Mark Korte at No. 4. The six-foot-three, 295-pound native of Spruce Grove, Alta., started at left tackle over his four-year tenure and last season was Canada West’s top offensive lineman.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders took UBC offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley at No. 5. The sixfoot-five, 315-pound Windsor, Ont., native was projected as a first-overall selection before joining the NFL’s New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.
With its second first-round pick, B.C. selected Georgia State defensive lineman Julien Laurent. The six-foot-four, 294-pound Toronto native has the ability to contribute to the Lions very quickly.
Sixty-nine players were taken over eight rounds. UBC receiver Marcus Davis, who once starred for Mount Douglas Secondary School, and was taken by the Ticats in the fourth round.