Gee-Gees drafted back-to-back in fourth round

Two Ottawa Gee-Gees were drafted in today’s CFL Draft, marking the first time since 2007 that the school saw two players selected. Offensive lineman Taylor Servais was the first name called, followed quickly by Simon Le Marquand as the two players were drafted back-to-back, 34th and 35th overall.

Servais was selected by the Edmonton Eskimos, who traded up to draft the Cornwall product with their fifth pick of the draft, while Le Marquand went to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as their fourth selection.

The 6-foot Servais has been an integral part of the Gee-Gees offensive line since 2009 and started all eight games at guard in 2012. He impressed scouts at the CFL E-Camp by posting 28 reps on the bench press. Servais cracked the top four, and was the top-performing CIS offensive lineman.

Le Marquand rose into CFL scouts’ view thanks to a stellar 2011 season with the Gee-Gees. That season the 6-1 target ranked second in the CIS with 108 yards per game, hauling in 57 passes and tallying six touchdowns.

After 2012, Le Marquand worried that his stats would be an issue. He had fallen to fourteenth in the CIS in yards per game, although his per catch average actually rose from 2011. So, like so many others hoping to hear their name called in Monday’s draft, Le Marquand threw himself into his off-season training. He attended camps in Florida and formed a training group with fellow uOttawa CFLers.

And he showed up to last month’s CFL evaluation camp ready to perform. He posted several top five scores in testing, including the best time in the 3-cone drill. He also scored second overall in the shuttle and vertical jump categories, while landing in the middle of the pack the receivers in the 40 yard dash with a time of 4.679.

“My physical shape has never been better,” said Le Marquand following the emotional draft. “I have learned a lot from my time at Ottawa as a receiver; I was well coached. I had great coaches who taught me well. That’s really the important thing, that they had prepared me well for the camp in Toronto.”

Following the E-Camp, Le Marquand’s name started showing up in mock drafts. As the Gee-Gees’ 2013 spring camp started up last week Le Marquand stood at the sidelines, confident but anxious as Draft Day approached. Today he was surrounded by family, coaches, and team mates at The Draft, the aptly named on-campus pub, when his name was finally read.

“When it’s happening, it’s very hard because you’re just waiting and you see all the names appearing in front of you. Because of all the predictions, I was expecting to probably be drafted in the third round, but the fourth is perfect too; the important thing is that a team drafted me.”

Both Servais and Le Marquand were named to the OUA Second Team All-Star list in 2011, and the pair took part in the 2012 East-West Bowl.

Le Marquand is the first receiver to come out of Ottawa since the 2007 draft which saw Adam Nicholson go to B.C. in the first round, while o-lineman Ryan Mousseau went to the Alouettes as a surprise pick late in the 2009 Draft.

With today’s selections, there have now been 93 uOttawa Gee-Gees selected in the CFL Draft, including ten first round picks (since 1970).