Mackellar taken sixth overall by Argos
For Timberlea’s Gregor Mackellar, the cat was out of the bag on Tuesday afternoon, hours before he was selected sixth overall by the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League draft.
Actually, it was the hat in the box that gave it away.
“I got a box – a priorityshipped box – in the mail yesterday that had an Argos hat and a letter in it,” the St. Francis Xavier X-men offensive lineman recalled in an interview Wednesday morning. “I kind of thought something was up but I didn’t know what to expect.
“It was a pretty incredible experience. This was always a goal of mine. But I didn’t necessarily think it would pan out like this.”
Mackellar was ranked 19th on the CFL Scouting Bureau’s final spring prospect list, which was released two weeks ago.
“Obviously, anything can happen in these draft situations,” said Mackellar, a sixfoot-four, 312-pound left tackle. “But that was earlier than what I had expected. I’m pretty honoured to be selected sixth overall and excited to be an Argonaut. I’m very happy and ready to get to work.”
Mackellar spent Tuesday evening at a draft gathering with family and friends, including his girlfriend Madison Ross, a scrum half with the St. F.X. women’s rugby team. Ross’s brother – and Mackellar’s X-men teammate – Connor Ross heard his name called in the seventh round by the Ottawa Redblacks. Ottawa selected the tight end from Coldbrook 58th overall.
“It was a pretty interesting experience for everybody,”
Mackellar said. “I’m pretty close with Connor.
“Maddie’s mom was at my draft event and Maddie’s dad was at Connor’s. It was later in the night when we got the news that Connor got drafted to Ottawa. We were all very excited. I’m definitely very happy for Connor.”
Saint Mary’s Huskies defensive back Adrian Greene of Scarborough, Ont., was taken by the B.C. Lions in the fourth round, 32nd overall.
Alberta Golden Bears offensive lineman Rodeem Brown, who’s originally from Halifax, was drafted in the second round, 18th overall by the Montreal Alouettes.
Brown didn’t think he would be picked that high. The six-foot-two, 285-pound centre was a projected firstrounder. But he had informed teams he was returning to Alberta for his fourth year next season.
“Realistically I thought I was going to be a later-round pick just because of my decision to go back to school,” Brown said on Wednesday afternoon. “I had let all the teams know beforehand, so I was not expecting to go first or second round. So, it’s a really big surprise.”
Brown was born in Halifax and moved to Saskatoon with his family when he was 12. He did not play football until he was in Grade 8.
Now he’s a burgeoning pro who, later this month, will head back east for his first training camp in Montreal.
“I wasn’t really expected to go so far east but I’m really excited,” Brown said. “It’s quite a journey.”
The Alouettes selected Syracuse University linebacker Tyrell Richards first overall, after trading up to get the No. 1 pick.
“He was the best player in the draft,” Alouettes general manager Danny Maciocia told the Montreal Gazette. “He’s a player who checks off many boxes. He’s active, physical and can play on all the special teams.”
Zack Pelehos, an offensive lineman from the Ottawa Gee-gees, was the first U Sports off the board when he was taken by Ottawa second overall.
He was followed by Saskatchewan Huskies defensive lineman Nathan Cherry at No. 3 by the BC Lions, Coastal Carolina defensive back Enock Makonzo fourth overall by the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Dinos receiver Jalen Philpot fifth overall by the Calgary Stampeders before the Mackellar selection.
Mackellar won’t have much time to bask in the draft glow. The first day of on-field activity with the Argos takes place May 15.
He has July 16 circled on his calendar. On that date, the Argos face the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Touchdown Atlantic game at Acadia’s Raymond Field.
“I’ll be looking forward to coming back to Wolfville this summer for the Touchdown Atlantic,” Mackellar said.
“A lot of friends and family had already bought tickets without knowing I would be going to Toronto. My parents were going just because they’re football fans. It’s a bonus that I’ll be there for a game against the Roughriders. It’ll be a pretty incredible experience.”