Morley Taken First in CFL Draft
Published on April 30, 2003 under Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release
Toronto, Ontario â After making a last-minute trade with the Edmonton Eskimos, the Calgary Stampeders acquired the 1st overall pick in this year's CFL Canadian College Draft. The Stamps quickly converted that pick into Offensive Lineman Steven Morley from St. Mary's University. The Stamps also had the 2nd Overall pick in the draft and they selected another big lineman in Joe McGrath from U of Miami.
With the trade, Calgary managed to collect 3 of the first 5 picks in the 2003 CFL Canadian College Draft including the first 2 picks overall. The team that went from Grey Cup Champion in 2001 to last in the West in 2002 obtained 5 of the first 18 picks in the draft. This marks just the 3rd time in draft history that one team has laid claim to the 1st and 2nd Overall picks in the same draft year (the others are Toronto - 1982, and Ottawa - 2001). This also marks the first time in history that one team has owned the 1st and 2nd overall picks in consecutive years (Ottawa â 2002, Calgary â 2003).
Steven Morley, the first overall selection in the 2003 CFL Canadian College Draft, is a hulking 6 feet, 7 inches and 322 lbs of offensive power. He is a back-to-back Atlantic University Sport All-Star (2001 & 2002), in 2002 he was also selected as the Atlantic University Sport Lineman of the Year. The Communications major was born on August 18, 1981 and is a Halifax, Nova Scotia native. Morley is also the just the second player in 6 years to have won a Vanier Cup Championship as a senior and then go on to be drafted in the 1st Round of the Canadian College Draft.
Joe McGrath, the second overall pick, is a towering 6'5", 288 lbs. The Offensive Tackle is currently a junior, and played in 7 games for the Miami Hurricanes in 2001. McGrath is the first NCAA player to be drafted 2nd overall since LB Ian Williams (Memphis) was drafted by the BC Lions in 2001. The Business Management & Organization major is from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and attended Vanier Academy. The two-time team captain (as a junior and senior) at Vanier Academy was also regarded as the Number 2 lineman in all of Canada upon graduation. His coaches at Miami describe him as having "good feet and outstanding quickness". Joe was born November 27, 1980.
Young Canadian football players realize their dream on April 30th, as they are drafted in the CFL Canadian College Draft. Celebrate the journey of hometown heroes from their amateur roots to the professional ranks. The Canadian Football League operates in nine leading Canadian cities. Its teams compete annually for the Grey Cup, Canada's oldest professional League championship trophy. The 91st Grey Cup will be played in Regina on November 16, 2003.
Canadian Football League Stories from April 30, 2003
- Seven of Nine Als Selections on Offence - Montreal Alouettes
- First Round Player Profiles - CFL
- Renegades Pick Six Players During 2003 CFL Canadian College Draft - Ottawa Renegades
- Lions Make Four Selections - B.C. Lions
- Roughriders Bolster Offense with Final Picks - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Esks trade #1 pick to Calgary for promising Canadian fullback - Edmonton Elks
- Twyner Breaks Clavicle, Out For The Season - Montreal Alouettes
- Riders Tackle Linebacker with Third Round Pick - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Canadians, Former Lynx Highlight Upcoming Homestand - Ottawa Renegades
- Renegades Make Trade with Edmonton to Acquire 17th Pick - Ottawa Renegades
- Riders Involved in Blockbuster Deal - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Morley Taken First in CFL Draft - CFL
- Draft Day by Numbers - CFL
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