NEWS: Five Gee-Gees selected in CFL Draft, three go to hometown REDBLACKS
For the second consecutive year, the Gee-Gees football program were among the universities with the most players selected in the CFL Draft.
The five Gee-Gees were picked Tuesday evening were tied for the most of any school, following up the six selected in the 2022 CFL Draft, which were the most any of school.
Three players won't have to travel far to attend their first CFL training camp, as the hometown Ottawa REDBLACKS called the name of three Gee-Gees players. All-Canadian linebacker James Peter (12th overall), receiver Daniel Oladejo (17th overall) and running back Amlicar Polk (58th overall) will vying for spots in red and black this spring.
In addition to the three REDBLACKS picks, Campbell Fair went 51st overall to Calgary and linebacker Max Charbonneau went 71st overall to Winnipeg.
With 11 players hearing their names called over the past two drafts, 2022 and 2023 serves as the most successful two-year stretch for the program since 1977 and 1978 when 16 Gee-Gees were chosen across the two drafts.
Peter and Oladejo didn't have to wait long to find out where their pro careers will begin, as they were selected just five picks apart. The second rounders, plus Polk, join a healthy Garnet and Grey contingent on the REDBLACKS, including alums Jackson Bennett, Ty Cranston, Zack Pelehos, Lewis Ward and newly minted running backs coach Nate Taylor.
Fair's selection by Calgary puts the Carrying Place, Ont. kicker in rarified air. Fair was the first kicker chosen since 2021 and the first Gee-Gees kicker ever to be taken in the CFL Draft (Lewis Ward was undrafted before signing with the REDBLACKS). The booter will have the opportunity to learn from experienced veteran and U SPORTS alumnus Rene Paredes with the Stampeders.
Charbonneau was the penultimate pick, going to the three-time defending western champions from Winnipeg. Four members of the 2022 uOttawa front seven have now been drafted: Charbonneau, Peter, Adam Wallace (2022 to B.C.) and Michael Pezzuto (2022 to Toronto).
Fifty-seven of the 72 players chosen Tuesday evening were U SPORTS players. Rookie camps are slated to open in mid-May, with full camps starting a few days later.
The Gee-Gees open the 2023 season at home against Waterloo. The complete 2023 schedule can be found HERE.
Read the Gee-Gees football program's complete CFL Draft history HERE. Full 2023 CFL Draft results can be found HERE.