Sports stats



CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Neil McKinlay picked by Blue Bombers

April 28, 2004 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers News Release


WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers picked a rugged and talented linebacker today when they selected Simon Fraser University product Neil McKinlay in the college draft.

The Blue Bombers selected McKinlay (6-0, 220, Simon Fraser '03, DOB: Apr. 25, 1981 in Langley, BC) with their 4th Round (33rd Overall) pick in the 2004 Canadian College Draft, held via teleconference call from the CFL's head office in Toronto.

McKinlay comes to the Blue Bombers with a remarkable football pedigree. He is a high-energy player that likes to bring the pain each and every play.

"Neil is last year's President's Trophy winner and he is very talented," said wide receivers coach and Canadian College Draft coordinator Bob Dyce. "He is an outstanding football player who makes plays between the lines."

McKinlay is looking forward to joining the Big Blue.

"I'm excited," he said. "It's time to get to camp and start playing again."

THE COLLEGE YEARS – SIMON FRASER CLANSMEN

McKinlay played five years of college football for the Simon Fraser University Clansmen in Burnaby, British Columbia. The school played three of those years under American rules in the NAIA conference and the last two seasons under Canadian rules in the CIS league.

In his final season of 2003, McKinlay did it all. He was a CIS First-Team All-Canadian and a Canada West First-Team All-Star. He won the President's Trophy as the nation's Most Outstanding Defensive Player. He was also the Canada West Conference Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

He finished the season as the conference leader in forced fumbles (10), quarterback sacks (8) and fumble returns (7). He was 3rd in defensive tackles with 60. Among his other stats, he had a 78-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 33-yard fumble return for a score.

Four times McKinlay won Canada West Defensive Player of the Week honors: Sept. 15, 2003, Sept. 22, 2003, Oct. 20, 2003 & Oct. 27, 2003. As if that wasn't enough, he was the CIS National Defensive Player of the Week twice: Sept. 15m 2003 & Oct. 20, 2003.

In a game against the No. 2-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies, McKinlay totaled seven defensive tackles, three tackles for a loss, three fumble returns, two quarterback sacks for 14 yards lost, two forced fumbles and a blocked convert.

Blocking kicks is a specialty of McKinlay's, as he blocked a 42-yard attempt in a game against the University of Regina and rejected another convert in a game against the University of British Columbia.

In 2002, McKinlay set the CIS record for defensive tackles in a season with 77. He was SFU's Most Inspirational Athlete that year.

McKinlay attended D.W. Poppy High School in Langley, British Columbia before attending Simon Fraser. He played community football in Langley as a youngster.

DRAFT FACTS

McKinlay is the 42nd player selected by the Blue Bombers in the 4th Round. He hopes to become the 15th player selected in the 4th Round to make the football club. The last to do so was St. Francis Xavier linebacker Sebastien Roy, who is presently a member of the Big Blue.

McKinlay is the 22nd player from Simon Fraser to be selected by the Blue Bombers. He hopes to be the 11th Simon Fraser player to make the football club. The last to do so was Steve Grant, who played with the Bombers in the 1991 and 1992 seasons.

McKinlay is the 46th linebacker chosen by Winnipeg in the draft. He hopes to become the 19th player at that position to make the Blue Bombers roster. The last to do so again was St. Francis Xavier linebacker Sebastien Roy, who is presently a member of the Big Blue.

Check out the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Statistics



Canadian Football League Stories from April 28, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central