Redblacks call Pickett’s number
Ottawa pick one of six outstanding players with Waterloo Region ties taken in 2018 CFL draft
KITCHENER — Andrew Pickett’s goal of playing professional football took root as a youngster.
The Kitchener native, who got his start more than a decade ago with the Twin-City Warhawks, saw his childhood dream become a reality Thursday night when he was selected by the Ottawa Redblacks in the third round of the CFL draft.
Pickett, a graduate of Resurrection Catholic Secondary School and standout offensive lineman with the University of Guelph Gryphons, was following the draft at home with family members when the Redblacks called his name with the 22nd overall pick.
“I knew it was coming, I knew my name was going to be called, but when it actually happened, it was like living in a dream,” said Pickett on Friday
“I’ve wanted to play in the CFL for as long as I can remember, so thankfully the Redblacks took me and allowed that dream to come true.”
The six-foot-three, 313-pound Pickett was a three-time OUA all-star at Guelph, a first-team all-Canadian in 2017, and helped the Gryphons win a Yates Cup national championship in 2015. CFL Central Scouting had been high on Pickett since ranking him as the 13th best prospect in September. He dropped to No. 15 in December and rose to No. 12 in late April.
Pickett was one of six players with ties to Waterloo Region selected during the eight-round, 69-player draft.
Wilfrid Laurier defensive back Godfrey Onyeka, of Brampton, was taken by the Edmonton Eskimos with the first pick of the second round, 10th overall, and was one of three Golden Hawks selected.
Defensive back Isaiah GuzylakMessam (fourth round, 34th overall) of Hamilton; and defensive lineman Rashari Henry (sixth round, 47th overall) of Ottawa were both selected by the B.C. Lions.
Waterloo Warriors wide receiver Richmond Nketiah of Brampton was selected in the seventh round, 56th overall, by the Montreal Alouettes; and UW teammate Ben Koczwara of London was taken in the eighth round, 67th overall, by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Pickett started playing football while attending St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Kitchener. He credits his Warhawks coach, Glenn Ferguson, for seeing his potential and encouraging him to push himself. He went on to become a Waterloo County (WCSSAA) all-star while playing at Resurrection, and was a standout player with the Cambridge Lions of the Ontario Varsity Football League.
In a Facebook post, the appreciative Pickett lists a large number of people who have helped him along the way, starting with his parents, John and Terri.
Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins and head coach Rick Campbell spoke with Pickett following his selection.
“They emphasized how excited they were to select me, and they told me to be ready for work when training camp opens,” said Pickett.
CFL rookie camps open May 16, full training camps start four days later. And Ottawa will get its first taste of pre-season action on May 31 against Montreal. The game, a 7:30 p.m. start, will be shown live on TSN.
Pickett is the third member of his family to be selected to play in the CFL. His uncle, Tim Pickett, was selected seventh overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 1976 draft. And Tim’s younger brother, Bernie, was a territorial exemption pick of the Toronto Argonauts in 1981. Tim played university football at Waterloo and Bernie played at Laurier.