2013 CFL Draft: Round 1 sees Gaydosh selected first, top five picks dominated by Dinos and Eagles players (VIDEO)

The top five picks in today’s CFL Draft were dominated by the Calgary Dinos and Eastern Michigan Eagles.

Defensive lineman Linden Gaydosh was selected first overall by the Hamilton Tiger Cats.  Meanwhile the Montreal Alouettes scooped up two Dinos players:  linebacker Mike Edem was selected third overall via trade with Edmonton Eskimos) and running back Steven Lumbala was selected fifth overall.

Eastern Michigan defensive end Andy Mulumba was taken second overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers while teammate offensive lineman Corey Watman was selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

In their first pick, new Ottawa franchise took offensive lineman Nolan MacMillan.

Here are the first round picks in the 2013 CFL Draft:

1) MONREAL ALOUETTES – LINDEN GAYDOSH (DL):

The 6’4, 305 pound defensive lineman from Peace River, Alberta put on an impressive showing at the CFL Combine in Toronto last month.  Currently, he is ranked third on the CFL’s Top 15 Prospects for the 2013 Draft, which will take place early May.

For four years, Gaydosh has played university football for the Calgary Dinos.  This past season, he registered 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and a sack.  He has represented Team East at the 2012 East West Bowl Game.  In the 2009 Vanier Cup Championship game, he caught an interception.

Gaydosh has accumulated many honours for his play on the field.  Those include a CIS Second Team All-Canadian selection (2011), CWUAA All-Star (2011), Hardy Cup MVP (2010) and CIS Rookie of the Year Award (2009).

Previous to the Dinos, the Alberta defensive lineman played high school football for Ross Sheppard Thunderbirds of the Alberta School’s Athletic Association (ASAA).

2) WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS – ANDY MULUMBA (DE):

Recently, Mulumba signed a free agency contract with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.  The 6’3, 260 pound defensive lineman from Montreal, Quebec has inked a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers.  Mulumba suited up for NCAA FBS (Division 1) team, Eastern Michigan Eagles. This past season, he was selected as a Second Team All-Mid-American.  Mulumba amassed 73 tackles, including 27 solos and 46 assisted in 12 games with the Eagles in 2012.  Moreover, he had seven quarterback hurries and recovered a fumble.  Mulumba ranked second on the team with seven tackles for a loss of 25 yards.  Overall, Mulumba played in 31 games during his time with the Eagles. In 2011, the Quebec defensive lineman was selected to the Academic All-Mac Team.

Previous to the Eagles, Mulumba enjoyed a successful CEGEP career with the Vieux Montreal Spartiates.  During his time there, he led the team to a Bol D’Or Championship and was awarded Defensive MVP of the game. He was also named a CEGEP Division 1 All-Star and also picked up team Defensive MVP honours.

3) MONTREAL ALOUETTES (VIA EDMONTON ESKIMOS) – MIKE EDEM (LB):

The 6’1, 200 pound linebacker was born in Lagos, Nigeria but has made Brampton, Ontario his home.  In March 2012, he impressed many at the CFL Combine in Toronto with the following results:  4.566 seconds in 40 Yard Dash (fourth best), 17 reps on Bench Press, 9’11.50 on Broad Jump, 38.50 in Vertical Jump, 7.239 seconds in 3-Cone and 4.470 seconds in Shuttle Run.

He recently completed his second year with CIS team, the Calgary Dinos.  In 2012, Edem led the CWUAA conference in tackles (55) and 9.5 tackles for a loss.  Overall, he has 88 total tackles (53 solo, 35 assisted).  Moreover, he accumulated four sacks and an interception this past season.  For his exceptional play on the field, Edem was named CWUAA Defensive Player of the Year and nabbed a CWUAA All-Star selection.  He was also the CWUAA nominee for the CIS President’s Award.

Previous to the Dinos, the Ontario linebacker played his rookie season in the CIS with the McGill Redmen.  Moreover, Edem has a CEGEP stint with Champlain Cougars and suited up for his high school team, St. Edmund Campion Bears of the Region of Peel Secondary Schools Athletic Association (ROPSSAA).

4) SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS – COREY WATMAN (OL):

The 6’2, 294 offensive lineman from Queensville, Ontario recently played for NCAA Division 1 team, Eastern Michigan Eagles.  In two seasons with the Eagles, Watman played 24 games – eight of which he was a starter.

Previous to the Eagles, Watman suited up for his high school team, the Huron Heights Warriors of the York Region Athletic Association (YRAA).

5) MONTREAL ALOUETTES – STEVEN LUMBALA (RB) :

The 5’11, 220 pound running back from Calgary, Alberta recently completed his fourth season with CIS squad, the Calgary Dinos.  In the 2012 CWUAA season, Lumbala amassed 993 rushing yards on 124 carries as well as 148 receiving yards on 166 catches and one touchdown.

Among the awards/honours he’s received during his time with the Dinos include:  two times CWUAA All-Star (2012, 2011), CIS First Team All-Canadian (2011), Team West selection for CIS East West Bowl (2011) and Mitchell Bowl MVP (2010).

Previous to the Dinos, Lumbala played high school football for St. Francis Browns of the Calgary Secondary High School Athletic Association (CSHSAA).  He played a significant role in the Browns 10-0 record en route to a Provincial High School title in 2007.  For his exceptional play on the field, Lumbala was named the Browns team MVP.  In 2009, he guided Team Canada to a silver medal at the IFAF World Junior Championships in Canton, Ohio. At the tournament, Lumbala was selected as a first team all-star at the running back position.

 

 

6) BC LIONS – HUNTER STEWARD (OL) :

The 6’7, 285 pound offensive lineman lineman originally from Kingston, Ontario recently played for NCAA team, the Liberty Flames.  In 2011 season, Steward played nine reserve games as a defensive lineman and registered 6 tackles (two solo, four assisted), 1.5 tackles for a loss.  He transferred over to the Flames from Virginia Cavaliers.

Steward represented Team Ontario East two consecutive times (2007, 2008).

7) CALGARY STAMPEDERS:  BRANDER CRAIGHEAD (OL):

The 6’6, 280 pound offensive lineman from Belville, Ontario spent three seasons with NCAA team, University of Texas El Paso Miners.  Previous to the Miners, he played one season at Fork Union and played his high school career with the Mother Teresa Titans of the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association (NCSSAA).

8) TORONTO ARGONAUTS – MATT SEWELL (OL) :

Recently, Sewell signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.  The 6’8, 340 pound offensive lineman from Milton, Ontario posted 17 reps at 225 pounds in bench press at the CFL Combine this past March in Toronto.  Currently, Sewell is ranked fourth in the CFL’s Top 15 Prospects for the 2013 Draft, which will take place early next month.

Sewell completed his fourth season with CIS team, McMaster Marauders.  During his time there, the Marauders won their first ever Vanier Cup Championship in 2011.  The Ontario offensive lineman is a two time CIS All-Canadian.  This past January, Sewell participated in the East West Shrine Game.

Previous to the Marauders, Sewell played high school football for the Bishop Reding Royals of the Halton Secondary School Athletic Association (HSSAA).

9) OTTAWA – NOLAN MACMILLAN (OL) :

The 6’6, 290 pound offensive lineman from Toronto, Ontario spent the last four seasons with NCAA Division 1 team, the Iowa Hawkeyes.  However, it has not been a smooth ride for MacMillan as he redshirted the 2009 season and then suffered a setback during the 2010 season.  After six games in 2010, he suffered a shoulder injury which shelved him until the end of October, 2012.

Previous to the Hawkeyes, McMillan played high school football for the New Jersey’s The Hun School, where he was selected to the first team all-MAP in his senior year.  Moreover, he had a successful stint with the St. Michael’s Kerry Blues of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA).  The Ontario offensive lineman captained the Kerry Blues to championships in 2006 and 2007.

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