Ottawa Renegades GM Happy With Draft Picks
Published on April 25, 2002 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
OTTAWA â Thursday, April 25, 2002 â The Ottawa Renegades have announced today that they have drafted eight players in the 2002 Canadian College Draft.
The âGaders selected offensive lineman Alexandre Gauthier with the first overall selection. A member of the 1999 Vanier-Cup-champion Laval Rouge et Or, the 6'7", 322-pounder comes to Ottawa as the first French-Canadian player ever selected first overall in the history of the draft, since its inception in 1953. He is also the fifth player ever chosen from a Quebec school.
The club, also with the second pick, chose running back Mike Vilimek out of Simon Fraser University. The 23-year-old, who also received an honourable mention as an All-American that same season, has rushed for a total of 2,763 yards on 522 career attempts, scoring 29 touchdowns, averaging 89.1 yards per game and 5.3 yards per rush in his college career. Vilimek, who was a starter in his last 18 games at Simon Fraser, averaged 131.9 yards per game on the ground in 2001.
The Renegades also chose defensive tackle D.J. Owchar from the Bowling Green University Falcons (2nd round, 10th overall), Ottawa native and punter Pat Fleming (Bowling Green, 2nd round, 11th), wide receiver Brock Ralph of the Wyoming Cowboys (2nd, 13th), running back Kevin Lawrence from the Northwestern Wildcats (3rd, 19th), as well as defensive back Youdlain Marcellus from the University of Buffalo (5th, 37th).
The club capped off the draft by selecting Tyler Paopao, son of head coach Joe Paopao, in the sixth and final round, 46th overall.
Furthermore, the club traded away its fourth round selection, 28th overall, to the Toronto Argonauts for wide receiver Andre Kirwan. The Boatmen also receive a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2003.
"As an organization, we are very excited about today's developments," explains general manager Eric Tillman. "In Alexandre and Mike, we believe that we have acquired two young men with bright futures."
"With the other six selections, we chose to draft all futures, meaning we expect them to return to their universities in 2002, based on remaining eligibility. This group of six, however, should make tremendous contributions to our organization in years to come."
"In addition, we are delighted with the acquisition of Andre Kirwan. He is a veteran, experienced receiver who possesses excellent character."
Professional football returns to the nation's capital this spring as the Ottawa Renegades open up their inaugural training camp on June 1st. The regular season kicks off on June 28 against the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders at Frank Clair Stadium.
Canadian Football League Stories from April 25, 2002
- Bombers Pick Joey Mikawoz - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Winnipeg Draft a Family Affair - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Lloyd Orris to Join Blue and Gold - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Ottawa Renegades GM Happy With Draft Picks - Ottawa Renegades
- Winnipeg Picks Faisthuber - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Michael Shaver Now a Blue Bomber - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Roughriders Bolster Defense With Final Picks - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Alouettes Draft Local Talent - Montreal Alouettes
- Renegades Make History by Drafting Gauthier First Overall - Ottawa Renegades
- Riders Tackle Boulianne With First Pick - Saskatchewan Roughriders
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