- Jordan Williams goes as the No.1 pick at this year’s CFL draft.
- He was picked by the BC Lions, who had to trade up to reach the 27-year old.
- Dejon Brissett and Issac Adeyemi-Berglund go second and third.
Jordan Williams No.1
Jordan Williams is the No.1 pick of the 2020 CFL Draft. The B.C Lions selected him, but in order to be in this position, the team from Vancouver had to trade up.
The Lions gave their third and 12th pick to Calgary Stampeders, receiving the first and the 15th. They would use that to select Williams, a 27-year old LB who was in the center of attention since the combine in Ontario. He was one of the best, posting magnificent results, appearing on the radar of many teams. After B.C. took him, the former East Carolina was thrilled with the news.
“I’m absolutely surprised,” Williams said. “I thought the CFL is one through nine and that’s what you get. I didn’t think they’d pick me, I thought they’d get a defensive end or something. For them to take me, man, it’s surreal. I can’t even quantify how it feels.”
Williams didn’t play a regular football game since 2017 but wasn’t completely away from the game. In 2019, he spent some time with the Ottawa Redblacks at the free-agent camp. After pleasing the management, the Redblacks offered him a practice-roster spot.
As for the B.C. Lions, they finished last in the West Division during the 2019 season, posting just 5 wins and 13 losses. The six-time Grey Cup winners are aiming to make radical changes as they want to move from the bottom of the league and find their way up to the top again. The last time they won the Grey Cup was in 2011.
Brissett and Adeyemi-Berglund go 2nd and 3rd
It seems that the Raptors’ Oshae Brisset will have a company in Toronto. His brother Dejon was drafted second overall by the Argonauts. The wide receiver was at Virginia before coming back home, and he too didn’t want to hide his delight because of the developments.
“It’s surreal being home for the first time in a long time,” he said. “I can’t explain how excited I am,” he said.
Although he didn’t have to much chance to play at Virginia, he was solid at Richmond, where he appeared previously, appearing in 33 games and recording 1,282 yards for three TDs.
Issac Adeyemi-Berglund was third overall and will play for Calgary. He played for Southeastern Louisiana and had 28 tackles and 15 sacks during his stint over there.
Nathan Rourke Highest-Placed Canadian QB since 2001
Rourke played for the Ohio University last year, and posted 2,820 yards for 20 touchdowns and five picks. He also added 867 rushing yards for 13 scores. He, too, would play for the BC Lions, who drafted him 15th.
Since 2001 and Jesse Palmer, he is the highest-placed Canadian quarterback who was drafted by one CFL club. Rourke has family in Vancouver, and similar to Brissett, he would be in a similar situation.
