April 20, 2006
OUA TRIO DOMINATES TOP FOUR CFL PICKS
HAMILTON - The talent pool at Ontario universities is deep - just ask the Canadian Football League brass. Ontario University Athletics football stars made up three of the top four picks in the CFL Canadian Draft Thursday. McMaster Marauders linebacker Jason Pottinger was selected second overall by the B.C. Lions, followed at number three by Hec Crighton Trophy-winning wide receiver Andy Fantuz of the Western Mustangs, who went to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and imposing defensive lineman Ricky Foley of the York Lions, taken in the fourth spot, also by B.C.
Pottinger enjoyed a fine fourth season at McMaster, cementing his reputation as one of the premier linebackers in Canadian Interuniversity Sport. The 6-2, 243-pound Whitby, ON native earned his second consecutive President's Trophy nomination (the OUA's representative for Standup Defensive Player of the Year) after recording a team-high 31 solo tackles with 14 assisted tackles on a unit depleted by injuries throughout the 2005 season. Pottinger is known as a big-game player and he displayed that ability by recording nine tackles in McMaster's final game of the season, an OUA semi-final loss to the eventual Vanier Cup champion Laurier Golden Hawks.
Fantuz was a mind-boggling talent throughout his memorable four-year tenure with the Mustangs. He exploded onto the OUA scene in 2002, establishing a league record for receiving yardage with 1,300 yards. The four-time All-Canadian capped his career off with the Hec Crighton Trophy this season, awarded to the most outstanding player in the nation, after leading the country in receptions (tied for first with 44) and touchdown catches (12). Four of those touchdowns came in the span of less than nine minutes as he helped rally the Mustangs from a 28-3 deficit at McMaster to shock the Marauders 55-31 in a nationally-televised game back on September 17. At 6-4 and 220 pounds, the Chatham, ON native is a huge target with exceptional hands, utilizing those strengths to come away with the ball even while being double and triple teamed. He finished his career with every major receiving record in CIS history: most receptions 189), most touchdowns (41) and most yardage (4,123). Fantuz is also the only CIS athlete to have his own Bobblehead.
"I am excited to get drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders," Fantuz said after his selection. "I feel very lucky today. It presents a great opportunity. I am looking forward to showing people what I can do at the next level."
Foley has proven to be one of the most versatile players in the OUA, excelling on both the defensive line and as a linebacker. But the 6-2 255-pound Courtice, ON native also saw time at running back, tight end and as a place kicker for the Lions throughout 2005. Foley, who recently attended the CFL Evaluation Camp last month, finished seventh in the OUA with 49 tackles last season. A former decathlete, he only started playing football when he arrived at York but has quickly emerged as one of the most feared pass rushers in the nation. Foley was a first-team OUA all-star in 2005 after earning second-team All-Canadian honours in 2004, when he led the CIS with nine sacks.
Fantuz's teammate Leron Mitchell was the fourth OUA player selected, going 10th overall to the Toronto Argonauts. Mitchell, a 6-1, 205-pound defensive back from London, ON, recorded 28 solo tackles and had three interceptions in his senior year. Other OUA players picked include: All-Canadian receiver Arjei Franklin of the Windsor Lancers (19th overall to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers), McMaster linebacker Tristan Clovis (22nd overall to Saskatchewan), McMaster offensive lineman Peter Hogarth (29th overall to Saskatchewan), Wilfrid Laurier linebacker Jesse Alexander (37th overall to Saskatchewan) and Laurier defensive back Joel Wright (41st overall to Montreal).
- OUA -
(Photo: Jason Pottinger had a memorable day Thursday as he became the second overall selection in the 2006 CFL draft. Pottinger and York's Ricky Foley, fourth overall, were chosen by the B.C. Lions, while Hec Crighton winner Andy Fantuz of the Western Mustangs went third overall to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. File photo by Cameron Dunlop.)
Pottinger enjoyed a fine fourth season at McMaster, cementing his reputation as one of the premier linebackers in Canadian Interuniversity Sport. The 6-2, 243-pound Whitby, ON native earned his second consecutive President's Trophy nomination (the OUA's representative for Standup Defensive Player of the Year) after recording a team-high 31 solo tackles with 14 assisted tackles on a unit depleted by injuries throughout the 2005 season. Pottinger is known as a big-game player and he displayed that ability by recording nine tackles in McMaster's final game of the season, an OUA semi-final loss to the eventual Vanier Cup champion Laurier Golden Hawks.
Fantuz was a mind-boggling talent throughout his memorable four-year tenure with the Mustangs. He exploded onto the OUA scene in 2002, establishing a league record for receiving yardage with 1,300 yards. The four-time All-Canadian capped his career off with the Hec Crighton Trophy this season, awarded to the most outstanding player in the nation, after leading the country in receptions (tied for first with 44) and touchdown catches (12). Four of those touchdowns came in the span of less than nine minutes as he helped rally the Mustangs from a 28-3 deficit at McMaster to shock the Marauders 55-31 in a nationally-televised game back on September 17. At 6-4 and 220 pounds, the Chatham, ON native is a huge target with exceptional hands, utilizing those strengths to come away with the ball even while being double and triple teamed. He finished his career with every major receiving record in CIS history: most receptions 189), most touchdowns (41) and most yardage (4,123). Fantuz is also the only CIS athlete to have his own Bobblehead.
"I am excited to get drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders," Fantuz said after his selection. "I feel very lucky today. It presents a great opportunity. I am looking forward to showing people what I can do at the next level."
Foley has proven to be one of the most versatile players in the OUA, excelling on both the defensive line and as a linebacker. But the 6-2 255-pound Courtice, ON native also saw time at running back, tight end and as a place kicker for the Lions throughout 2005. Foley, who recently attended the CFL Evaluation Camp last month, finished seventh in the OUA with 49 tackles last season. A former decathlete, he only started playing football when he arrived at York but has quickly emerged as one of the most feared pass rushers in the nation. Foley was a first-team OUA all-star in 2005 after earning second-team All-Canadian honours in 2004, when he led the CIS with nine sacks.
Fantuz's teammate Leron Mitchell was the fourth OUA player selected, going 10th overall to the Toronto Argonauts. Mitchell, a 6-1, 205-pound defensive back from London, ON, recorded 28 solo tackles and had three interceptions in his senior year. Other OUA players picked include: All-Canadian receiver Arjei Franklin of the Windsor Lancers (19th overall to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers), McMaster linebacker Tristan Clovis (22nd overall to Saskatchewan), McMaster offensive lineman Peter Hogarth (29th overall to Saskatchewan), Wilfrid Laurier linebacker Jesse Alexander (37th overall to Saskatchewan) and Laurier defensive back Joel Wright (41st overall to Montreal).
- OUA -
(Photo: Jason Pottinger had a memorable day Thursday as he became the second overall selection in the 2006 CFL draft. Pottinger and York's Ricky Foley, fourth overall, were chosen by the B.C. Lions, while Hec Crighton winner Andy Fantuz of the Western Mustangs went third overall to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. File photo by Cameron Dunlop.)
