May 2, 2010
WILLIAMS ENDS DROUGHT AS 10 OUA STUDENT-ATHLETES DRAFTED BY CFL TEAMS
HAMILTON, Ont. - Ontario University Athletics (OUA) would like to congratulate its 10 student-athletes who were selected in the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft on Sunday.
Queen's Gaels defensive lineman Shomari Williams (Brampton, Ont.) ended a 26-year drought as he became the first OUA student-athlete to be selected first overall in a CFL draft since linebacker Frank Balkovec of the Toronto Varsity Blues was chosen by the B.C. Lions with the No. 1 pick back in 1984. The Saskatchewan Roughriders traded up to pick Williams, who they see as a future linebacker.
Williams made 32 total tackles and four sacks for the Gaels during the regular season and led OUA with 8.5 tackles for a loss. He was a dominant figure for Queen's in the post-season as the Gaels captured their first national championship since 1992.
Guelph Gryphons punter/kicker Rob Maver (Brampton, Ont.) didn't have to wait long to hear his named called, going fifth overall to the Calgary Stampeders. Maver has been one of the most consistent players with his foot in OUA the past four seasons, leading the league with a 41.3 yard punting average as well as a 92.9 percent success rate on field goals. His longest field goal in 2009 was from 43 yards out. Maver was perfect in his point after attempts with 34.
Calgary did not stop there adding OUA talent, selecting Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks cornerback Taurean Allen (Etobicoke, Ont.) in the second round, 13th overall. Allen contributed an interception, two pass break-ups and 16.5 total tackles to what was a feared Laurier defence in 2009. Laurier teammate Chima Ihekwoaba (Burlington, Ont.) was selected immediately after Allen by the Montreal Alouettes with the 14th pick. The defensive lineman was limited due to injury in 2009, contributing four total tackles. He has also drawn interest south of the border, earning an invite by the NFL's Detroit Lions to their rookie tryouts.
Three OUA student-athletes were chosen in the fourth round. Waterloo Warriors offensive lineman Joel Reinders (Oakville, Ont.) went to the Toronto Argonauts with the 26th overall selection. He has also drawn interest in the NFL, signing with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent. Chris Smith (Toronto) of Queen's was chosen by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with the 28th overall selection. Smith contributed 27 total tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery for the Gaels during the regular season. Guelph offensive tackle Ryan Bomben (Burlington, Ont.) was selected by Montreal with the 31st pick.
Toronto was not done selecting offensive linemen from the Waterloo Warriors as they chose Michael Warner (Hamilton, Ont.) with the opening pick of the fifth round, No. 32 overall. The Argonauts picked three OUA student-athletes in total, selecting Western Mustangs linebacker Conor Elliott (London, Ont.) with the 44th overall pick in the sixth round. Elliott made 30.5 total tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, five pass brake-ups, three interceptions and two forced fumbles with the Mustangs in 2009. Elliott's teammate, Christopher Greaves (Mississauga, Ont.), was chosen immediately after by Winnipeg with the 45th selection. The defensive lineman contributed 16.5 total tackles, including 4.5 for losses, two pass brake-ups and 1.5 sacks for Western in 2009.
In total, two student-athletes from five different OUA schools were selected by five different CFL teams in the 2010 edition of the CFL draft.
The 2010 OUA football regular season kicks off on Labour Day on five fronts, including the defending Yates Cup champion Queen's Gaels visiting the Waterloo Warriors on Sept. 6.
2010 CFL DRAFT PICKS FROM OUA
Round Pick Team Player Position School
1 1 Saskatchewan Shomari Williams DL Queen's
1 5 Calgary Rob Maver P/K Guelph
2 13 Calgary Taurean Allen CB Laurier
2 14 Montreal Chima Ihekwoaba DL Laurier
4 26 Toronto Joel Reinders OL Waterloo
4 28 Winnipeg Chris Smith LB Queen's
4 31 Montreal Ryan Bomben OT Guelph
5 32 Toronto Michael Warner OL Waterloo
6 44 Toronto Conor Elliott LB Western
6 45 Winnipeg Christopher Greaves DL Western
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
Queen's Gaels defensive lineman Shomari Williams (Brampton, Ont.) ended a 26-year drought as he became the first OUA student-athlete to be selected first overall in a CFL draft since linebacker Frank Balkovec of the Toronto Varsity Blues was chosen by the B.C. Lions with the No. 1 pick back in 1984. The Saskatchewan Roughriders traded up to pick Williams, who they see as a future linebacker.
Williams made 32 total tackles and four sacks for the Gaels during the regular season and led OUA with 8.5 tackles for a loss. He was a dominant figure for Queen's in the post-season as the Gaels captured their first national championship since 1992.
Guelph Gryphons punter/kicker Rob Maver (Brampton, Ont.) didn't have to wait long to hear his named called, going fifth overall to the Calgary Stampeders. Maver has been one of the most consistent players with his foot in OUA the past four seasons, leading the league with a 41.3 yard punting average as well as a 92.9 percent success rate on field goals. His longest field goal in 2009 was from 43 yards out. Maver was perfect in his point after attempts with 34.
Calgary did not stop there adding OUA talent, selecting Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks cornerback Taurean Allen (Etobicoke, Ont.) in the second round, 13th overall. Allen contributed an interception, two pass break-ups and 16.5 total tackles to what was a feared Laurier defence in 2009. Laurier teammate Chima Ihekwoaba (Burlington, Ont.) was selected immediately after Allen by the Montreal Alouettes with the 14th pick. The defensive lineman was limited due to injury in 2009, contributing four total tackles. He has also drawn interest south of the border, earning an invite by the NFL's Detroit Lions to their rookie tryouts.
Three OUA student-athletes were chosen in the fourth round. Waterloo Warriors offensive lineman Joel Reinders (Oakville, Ont.) went to the Toronto Argonauts with the 26th overall selection. He has also drawn interest in the NFL, signing with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent. Chris Smith (Toronto) of Queen's was chosen by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with the 28th overall selection. Smith contributed 27 total tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery for the Gaels during the regular season. Guelph offensive tackle Ryan Bomben (Burlington, Ont.) was selected by Montreal with the 31st pick.
Toronto was not done selecting offensive linemen from the Waterloo Warriors as they chose Michael Warner (Hamilton, Ont.) with the opening pick of the fifth round, No. 32 overall. The Argonauts picked three OUA student-athletes in total, selecting Western Mustangs linebacker Conor Elliott (London, Ont.) with the 44th overall pick in the sixth round. Elliott made 30.5 total tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, five pass brake-ups, three interceptions and two forced fumbles with the Mustangs in 2009. Elliott's teammate, Christopher Greaves (Mississauga, Ont.), was chosen immediately after by Winnipeg with the 45th selection. The defensive lineman contributed 16.5 total tackles, including 4.5 for losses, two pass brake-ups and 1.5 sacks for Western in 2009.
In total, two student-athletes from five different OUA schools were selected by five different CFL teams in the 2010 edition of the CFL draft.
The 2010 OUA football regular season kicks off on Labour Day on five fronts, including the defending Yates Cup champion Queen's Gaels visiting the Waterloo Warriors on Sept. 6.
2010 CFL DRAFT PICKS FROM OUA
Round Pick Team Player Position School
1 1 Saskatchewan Shomari Williams DL Queen's
1 5 Calgary Rob Maver P/K Guelph
2 13 Calgary Taurean Allen CB Laurier
2 14 Montreal Chima Ihekwoaba DL Laurier
4 26 Toronto Joel Reinders OL Waterloo
4 28 Winnipeg Chris Smith LB Queen's
4 31 Montreal Ryan Bomben OT Guelph
5 32 Toronto Michael Warner OL Waterloo
6 44 Toronto Conor Elliott LB Western
6 45 Winnipeg Christopher Greaves DL Western
– OUA –
ABOUT ONTARIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and its 19 member institutions are developing Champions For Life. Giving 9,000 student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically and on the playing field, while preparing for life after university. For more information, visit OUA.ca.
