Another solid CFL Draft class for Dinos

CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos had another banner night during the 2016 Canadian Football League draft, with three current players along with one former member of the program earning selections.

Running back Mercer Timmis went 14^th overall in the second round to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Eleven picks later, receiver Brett Blaszko was selected by the B.C. Lions with the 23^rdpick in the third round, while defensive back Elie Bouka went one pick later to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Saskatchewan also selected former Dinos linebacker Alex Ogbongbemiga with the 36^th pick to open the fifth round.

Timmis joins the Tiger-Cats – his childhood team growing up in nearby Burlington, Ont. – after an outstanding four-year career with the Dinos. He is the program’s all-time touchdowns leader with 44, recording 2,984 rushing yards on 388 carries – a career average of 7.7 yards per carry. He is the highest-scoring non-kicker in Dinos history with 264 career points.

There’s plenty of family history with the Tiger-Cats for Timmis, whose great grandfather Brian starred for and coached Hamilton in the 1930s and won four Grey Cup titles.

“It means a lot to be coming home and be part of that great organization,” Timmis told NewsTalk 770’s Sportstalk Tuesday night. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity – the Timmis name definitely has some meaning in Hamilton, and I’m excited to be part of the Ticats.

“It was the best time to be a Dino – my four years in Calgary were the best years of my life,” he went on. “I’m extremely excited for the new opportunity, but I wouldn’t be where I am without the University of Calgary.”

Timmis’ close friend Brett Blaszko, also a Burlington native, heads to Vancouver where he’ll join former teammate Kirby Fabien with the B.C. Lions. Blaszko scored a touchdown on his first CIS reception back in 2012 and kept on scoring, hauling in 20 majors, 93 receptions, and 1,903 receiving yards during his four-year career.

“The fact the Lions placed trust in me and decided to draft me means the world, and wherever they want me to play I’ll play,” Blaszko told Sportstalk from his Ontario home Mondaynight. “The University of Calgary changed my life, and I’ll always be a UC fan no matter what. I’m so proud to be part of that alumni, and just being at that school means the world to me.”

Bouka, who joined the Dinos as a receiver, converted to defensive back and was a highly-touted prospect heading into the draft. He signed as a free agent with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals last week, dropping to the third round as a result, but would be a significant pickup for the Roughriders if he returns to play in Canada.

The 2016 draft brings the Dinos’ all-time total to 126 selections, including 28 in the past six drafts. Timmis becomes just the fifth Dino to be drafted by Hamilton, while Blaszko was the eighth Calgary player to be selected by B.C. in history. All-time, the Calgary Stampeders lead the way with 49 Dinos drafted since 1970.

While the draft picks get set for the CFL season and training camps opening later this month, the returning Dinos will return to the field in mid-August for their training camp. Calgary opens the 2016 Canada West season Sept. 1 in Winnipeg against Manitoba, with the home opener slated for Sept. 9 against UBC at McMahon Stadium.