BC Lions select OL Charles Vaillancourt, 7 others at CFL Draft
Tuesday’s CFL Draft was a big day for Wally Buono and the B.C. Lions.
🚨🚨🚨🚨 TRADE ALERT 🚨🚨🚨🚨@Ticats have acquired #3 Overall!!! pic.twitter.com/F2C41BEWLZ
— CFL (@CFL) May 10, 2016
It all started with an early trade, as the Lions elected to move from 3rd to 5th overall and in return, bumping their 30th selection up to 23rd. But they weren’t done there…
🚨🚨 TRADE! 🚨🚨
.@Ticats trade with @BCLions again!
Move up to select @ubctbirds LB Terrell Davis. #CFLDraft pic.twitter.com/h6BLNoODfi
— CFL (@CFL) May 11, 2016
The Lions then traded again with Hamilton, moving their 21st overall pick to pick up their original 30th overall, as well as the 32nd pick.
Essentially, the Lions traded the 3rd and 21st overall picks and received the 5th, 23rd, and 32nd in return.
Here’s a quick look at every player the Lions drafted on Tuesday.
Charles Vaillancourt
Drafted: 1st round, 5th overall
Size: 6’3″, 329 pounds
Position: Offensive Lineman
Wow! @BCLions need to be investigated for thievery – trade down and still get Vaillancourt in 5th spot. https://t.co/1WeAs6KDzK
— Len Catling (@LenCatling) May 10, 2016
The Lions were able to trade down and still get their man, Charles Vaillancourt from Laval University at 5th overall. “He’s big, physical and played in a tremendous system at Laval,” said Lions head coach and GM Wally Buono. “He’ll come here ready to compete for a spot in training camp.”
Anthony Thompson
Drafted: 2nd round, 12th overall
Size: 6’0″, 205 pounds
Position: Defensive Back
The Montreal native had 55 tackles last season with South Illinois. “Anthony has the potential to be a ratio changer” said Lions legend and Director of CIS Scouting, Geroy Simon. “He can play all three spots in the secondary, he’s got incredible speed and great defensive instincts.”
Brett Blaszko
Drafted: 3rd round, 23rd overall
Size: 6’4″, 204 pounds
Position: Wide Receiver
Blaszko played the last three seasons with the University of Calgary, including eight games this season. In those games, Blaszko had 47 receptions for 745 yards and ten touchdowns.
Dillon Guy
Drafted: 4th round, 30th overall
Size: 6’4″, 310 pounds
Position: Offensive Lineman
Guy played for the University of Buffalo. Neil McEvoy, Director of Football Ops & Player Personnel, said the Lions had Guy ranked in the 3rd round and were happy to get him at 30th.
Shaq Johnson
Drafted: 4th round, 32nd overall
Size: 5’10”, 178 pounds
Position: Wide Receiver
Johnson spent the past season playing with the London Beefeaters in the Canadian Junior Football League. In nine games, he had 34 receptions for 637 yards and eight touchdowns.
Brennan van Nistelrooy
Drafted: 6th round, 48th overall
Size: 6’0″, 200 pounds
Position: Defensive Back
Van Nistelrooy also spent last season in the CJHL, playing for the Oklahoma Sun. He had 14 solo tackles, four interceptions, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick in eight games.
Nathan O’Halloran
Drafted: 7th round, 57th overall
Size: 5’11”, 238 pounds
Position: Fullback
O’Halloran played four seasons with the University of Windsor. This past season he recorded fourteen receptions for 187 yards and three touchdowns.
Boyd Richardson
Drafted: 8th round, 65th overall
Size: 6’3″, 235 pounds
Position: Defensive Lineman
A local product, Richardson had 39 tackles along with two fumble recoveries for the UBC Thunderbirds.
