CALGARY – It was another banner night for the University of Calgary Dinos, with eight players selected in the Canadian Football League draft Thursday – the most by any U SPORTS institution for the second consecutive year.
Offensive linemen Darius Ciraco and Ryan Sceviour led the way, marking the fourth time since 2011 the Dinos have had multiple first-round selections. Ciraco was off the board first, chosen sixth overall by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats – the team he cheered for growing up in nearby Burlington, Ont.
"It's been a roller coaster, but it's going to be amazing to go back home," said Ciraco. "This is the culmination of all the hard work over the past four-plus years. I'm enjoying it a little here now, but I'm looking forward to getting to work and try to help the Ticats win."
"It's got to be exciting for him to get back to his roots and get the chance to play at the pro level close to where he grew up," said Dinos Head Coach
Wayne Harris. "We're excited for him, great expectations for him to have a long career in the CFL. Very versatile and hard-nosed guy. He'll do very well."
Sceviour, another offensive lineman, was next, taken two picks later by his hometown team, the Calgary Stampeders, with their first overall pick.
"I'm on cloud nine right now," said Sceviour. "I liked the coaches when I met them, and I've seen them practice – obviously they're a fantastic team. I'm excited to perform and show what I can do. My family has been season ticket holders for a long time, so this is definitely a dream come true."
"Ryan has been that quiet, unassuming leader," said Harris. "He's a very physical O-lineman who will have a long career playing guard here in Calgary."
It was fast and furious in the second round, with former Dinos receiver Rashaun Simonise taken 12th overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, followed by linebacker Micah Teitz at the 14th selection by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Defensive lineman Brett Wade went to Hamilton with the very next pick, at No. 15.
Offensive lineman Curtis Krahn was next, going 40th overall to Edmonton in the fifth round. Then, it was nail-biting time, with both defensive lineman Joel Van Pelt (62nd overall, Hamilton) and linebacker Boston Rowe (68th, Calgary) needing to wait until the eighth and final round to hear their names called.
"I'm extremely proud – it was well-deserved for all of them," said Harris. "With the hard work they all put in, this doesn't happen by accident. It's a tribute to the players and coaching staff in developing them in-season and off-season. They're getting an opportunity to live their dreams – that's the key."
The Dinos became the first U SPORTS program in the modern history of the CFL Draft to have five players selected in the top 15 selections, beating out the 2005 edition when five Laval players went in the top 17 selections. The total of eight is just one off the school record of nine set in 2017 and brings the total number of Dinos drafted in program history to 149.
Calgary has won eight of the last 10 Hardy Cup championships and leads all U SPORTS institutions with active CFL players. The draftees will now head to rookie camps in just two weeks, with main training camps to follow. The 2018 CFL season kicks off June 14.
2018 CFL DRAFT
UCalgary Dinos selections
OL Darius Ciraco – Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 1st round, 6th overall
OL Ryan Sceviour – Calgary Stampeders, 1st round, 8th overall
R Rashaun Simonise – Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 2nd round, 12th overall
LB Micah Teitz – Saskatchewan Roughriders, 2nd round, 14th overall
DL Brett Wade – Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 2nd round, 15th overall
OL Curtis Krahn – Edmonton Eskimos, 5th round, 40th overall
DL Joel Van Pelt – Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 8th round, 62nd overall
LB Boston Rowe – Calgary Stampeders, 8th round, 68th overall
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