Lions Take Seven in CFL Draft
Published on May 6, 2013 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release
(Vancouver) The BC Lions Football Club was busy at the CFL Draft table today picking up seven future Leos. The club used the sixth overall selection to secure offensive lineman Hunter Steward from Liberty University, but will have to wait until 2014 to see him in orange as the Kingston native still has a year of eligibility remaining.
"Hunter has a lot of upside," said Lions VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono. "I know Mike will want to see him as an offensive tackle first and we'll go from there but he's got a lot of promise."
With their second selection (12th overall), the Lions obtained wideout Seydou Junior (SJ) Haidara from Laval University. The speedy receiver was ranked highly by the club's staff following a season where he notched 23 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns.
"S.J. can play multiple positions and he's a demon on special teams," said head coach Mike Benevides. "Size, speed and a desire to play are things you cannot coach and he brings all of them to the table."
The Lions then dipped back into the redshirt pool to choose linebacker Boseko Lokombo who hails from Abbotsford, BC and is currently enrolled at the University of Oregon. The athletic Lokombo was too good to pass up according to Benevides despite possible NFL aspirations. "Bo is a gifted athlete that doesn't come along very often, so we're pleased to get him in the third round."
With the club's fourth selection (33rd overall), they again stayed local with University of Windsor defensive back Matt McGarva who grew up in Surrey. McGarva comes off a four-year career at Windsor and will likely compete for a back-up position at safety.
The Leos took another offensive lineman with their fifth pick (42nd overall), acquiring Matthew Albright from St. Mary's. The hulking tackle was a 2012 Atlantic University Sport All-Star and his conference's Student-Athlete Community Service Award recipient. He anchored a Husky offensive line that averaged a league-best 201.4 yards per game and gave up just 10 quarterback sacks over eight games.
Another local product, UBC's Matt Walker, was the Lions' sixth-round selection (50th overall) and comes off an impressive showing at the club's local camp in April. The athletic defensive back will attend his first Lions training camp at the tender age of 21 and will still have three years of eligibility left with the Thunderbirds.
With their final pick in the 2013 CFL Draft, the club added yet another body to the offensive line by scooping up Guelph's Cameron Thorn. The Ontario native will be a project for offensive line coach Dan Dorazio as he switches from his current position along the defensive line. Thorn was also coveted for his ability as a long-snapper. BC Lions Training Camp presented by Sun Peaks Resort gets underway in Kamloops, BC on Sunday, June 2. The Lions kick off the 2013 campaign with a preseason tilt versus Edmonton on Friday, June 21 at 7:00 pm and begin their regular season home schedule on Thursday, July 4 versus the reigning Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts.
The BC Lions celebrate 60 Seasons of Pride in 2013. For season ticket information call 604.589.ROAR. For more information on the BC Lions Football Club visit bclions.com.
Canadian Football League Stories from May 6, 2013
- Alouettes Stock up on Local Talent - Montreal Alouettes
- Esks Select Seven in CFL Canadian Draft - Edmonton Elks
- Lions Take Seven in CFL Draft - B.C. Lions
- Stamps Pick up Seven Players in 2013 Draft - Calgary Stampeders
- Tiger-Cats Take Eight in 2013 CFL Draft - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Riders Pick up Six More in the CFL Canadian Draft - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Argos Pick Five in 2013 CFL Canadian Draft - Toronto Argonauts
- Blue Bombers Pleased with 2013 CFL Draft - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Stamps Acquire Legare from Eskimos - Calgary Stampeders
- Argonauts Select Gabriel in Second Round; Trade up to Select Adjei in Third - Toronto Argonauts
- Alouettes select Mike Edem and Steven Lumbala in first round - Montreal Alouettes
- Toronto Argonauts Select GTA Prospect Matt Sewell Eighth Overall - Toronto Argonauts
- Esks Select Stefan Charles 10th Overall in CFL Canadian Draft - Edmonton Elks
- Stamps Select Craighead with Seventh Overall Pick - Calgary Stampeders
- Riders Select Watman Fourth Overall - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Tiger-Cats Select Calgary DL Linden Gaydosh with 1st Overall Pick - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Blue Bombers Select Andy Mulumba with Second Overall Pick - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Ticats Select Gaydosh with First Overall Pick in 2013 CFL Draft - CFL
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