Quebec stole the show with five selections in the first round of the Canadian Football League draft this Tuesday evening.
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The highest total in recent years was three in 2016, 2014 and 2005.
It was defensive back Benjamin Labrosse who opened the way. The McGill Redbirds product was selected in the 4e rank by the Calgary Stampeders. Inactive in 2023 for academic reasons, Labrosse shone at the CFL evaluation camp in Winnipeg, notably winning the 40-yard dash. His performance earned him an invitation to the New York Giants rookie mini-camp.
“The best football is played in Quebec and I am really proud to be the first player chosen. It’s a bit of a surprise to come out at 4e rank, but I knew the Stampeders loved me a lot. They talked to me a lot at the evaluation camp and I knew they were looking for a defensive back,” said Labrosse, who said he was ready to play the safety position.
“I played a little bit of safety at Syracuse. I can even play as a linebacker,” he said.
Mital in Toronto
Kevin Mital immediately followed Labrosse. The Rouge et Or slotback from Laval University was selected by the Toronto Argonauts.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for 18 years,” said the MVP on the Canadian scene in 2022. “Surrounded by my family, it’s a very emotional moment. This is only step 1 of plan A. I will have everything to prove, but I want to demonstrate that I have my place on the field from my first season. »
Slotback Kevin Mital received the long-awaited call from the Toronto Argonauts.
Photo provided by Mathieu Bélanger / Rouge et Or
In Winnipeg during the evaluation camp, Mital spoke with Argos running backs coach Dominic Picard, who did not believe that the Laval receiver would still be available at 5e rank.
Mital shares something in common with Argos president Michael “Pinball” Clemons. “We are both flamboyant,” he emphasized. My goal is to continue to be flamboyant at the professional level. When you get noticed, it’s because you achieve good things. »
Nathaniel Dumoulin-Duguay was then selected in the 7the ranked by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The Rouge et Or blocker became the first player in the 22-year history of the Cégep de Rimouski Pionniers program selected in the CFL. His head coach Éric Avon was present, as was educational advisor Jocelyn Pelletier and his coaches from Paul-Hubert high school.
“It’s incredible,” he said. I didn’t think Hamilton was so interested in my services. We have to believe that last week’s virtual meeting went well. It’s a Source of pride to be the first player from Rimouski chosen in the CFL. »
“A historic moment”
Éric Avon remembers very well when he recruited Dumoulin-Duguay. “His mother didn’t want him to play football,” he said. This is a historic moment for the Pioneers program. »
Laval University Rouge et Or blocker Nathaniel Dumoulin-Duguay also hugged his parents after being drafted.
Photo provided by Mathieu Bélanger / Rouge et Or
Present at the Rouge et Or gathering, the mother was very proud of her son, just like his father.
Christy Nkanu and Geoffrey Cantin-Arku completed Quebec’s harvest in the first round.
