Roughriders choose OL Hergel, seven others within the 2024 CFL Draft

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The Saskatchewan Roughriders chosen offensive lineman Kyle Hergel with the third total choose within the 2024 CFL Draft — however there’s an opportunity he doesn’t put on a inexperienced and white jersey anytime quickly.

After beginning his faculty profession at North Dakota, the 6-foot-2, 300-pound Toronto native went on to play two seasons at Texas State College earlier than ending his faculty profession at Boston School, the place he began at left guard.

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Hergel was the No. 4-ranked prospect on the CFL Scouting Bureau’s spring rankings, but it surely doesn’t seem he can be coming to the CFL instantly as he signed an undrafted free agent contract with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints following the NFL Draft on the weekend.

Nevertheless, the 24-year-old continues to be grateful for the possibility to be drafted by Saskatchewan and would definitely make the transfer to the CFL if the NFL doesn’t work out.

“I’m trying ahead to getting right down to New Orleans,” stated Hergel. “Any alternative is a chance and it’s sort of what you make of it.”

After linebacker Joel Dublanko went No. 1 to the Edmonton Elks and receiver Nick Mardner went No. 2 to the Ottawa Redblacks, Roughriders normal supervisor Jeremy O’Day stated the chance of choosing an NFL-calibre participant like Hergel is well worth the reward of him doubtlessly coming to Saskatchewan.

“He’s bought some flexibility to play all of the spots within the inside offensive line,” O’Day informed reporters on Tuesday night time after making the choose. “Bodily participant; somebody that began a bit bit decrease in Division 1 soccer and simply stored getting greater alternatives and each time he bought the chance, he rose to the event.

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“Clearly there may be some threat concerned that you just’ve bought to be prepared to simply accept and we really feel just like the reward can pay for that if we get a possibility to get him.”

Whereas the NFL is high precedence proper now for Hergel, the CFL was definitely on his radar rising up in Ontario. Together with attending CFL video games in Toronto and Hamilton, Hergel was additionally coached by four-time Gray Cup profitable coach and govt Adam Rita in highschool.

“We have been in a position to be in that CFL system as younger gamers and having the ability to try this, it’s been actually cool,” stated Hergel.

There was additionally a CFL connection — and a connection to the Roughriders — throughout Hergel’s first faculty cease in North Dakota.

“There was a power coach we had in North Dakota by the identify of Will Ratelle,” stated Hergel. “And he performed fullback truly for Saskatchewan (in 2017).

“He at all times informed me that’s a spot, Mosaic Stadium, the place it will get actually loud they usually’ve bought the perfect followers within the league.”

With the twelfth total choose within the second spherical, the Riders chosen linebacker Nick Wiebe out of the College of Saskatchewan.

Like Hergel, Wiebe gained’t be attending coaching camp this season as he’s coming off a torn ACL suffered final season with the Huskies within the Hardy Cup playoffs.

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“Once more, somebody we’ll have to attend a short while on, however we noticed the advantage of him getting back from damage and we’re excited to get him,” stated O’Day. “Some discussions clearly on the damage and whether or not he’d be good to go, and we really feel like we’ve performed sufficient work on his medical background and the way he’s going along with his damage.”

Final season, the Calgary product was named the Canada West defensive participant of the 12 months whereas additionally receiving all-star honours after main the convention with 60.5 tackles whereas additionally including one sack and one pressured fumble. In 31 profession video games, the 6-foot-1, 240-pound linebacker has recorded 162 tackles.

After beginning his faculty profession with the College of Oregon the place he performed three seasons for the Geese, Wiebe transferred to the U of S and was named a captain in his first season.

The Riders chosen an offensive participant within the third spherical as they drafted receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby with the twenty third total choose.

The 6-foot-1, 207-pound Bemidji State product was ranked No. 18 on the CFL Scouting Bureau spring rankings. In 47 profession video games with the Beavers, the Toronto product had 171 catches for two,839 yards and 27 touchdowns.

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Within the fourth spherical, thirty second total, the Riders chosen linebacker Melique Straker.

The 5-foot-10, 183-pound Brampton, Ont. native was the seventeenth ranked prospect in accordance with the CFL Scouting Bureau’s spring rankings after taking part in at Arkansas State College for the previous three seasons.

In 33 profession video games with the Purple Wolves, Straker racked up 216 tackles, two pressured fumbles and two interceptions.

Within the fifth spherical, forty first total, Saskatchewan chosen offensive lineman Daniel Johnson.

The 6-foot-5, 307-pound London, Ont. product performed faculty soccer at Purdue College and Kent State College however has been restricted with accidents.

Within the sixth spherical, fiftieth total, the Riders shopped domestically as they drafted Regina Rams receiver D’Sean Mimbs.

In 21 profession video games with the Rams, the son of former CFLer Robert Mimbs has racked up 1,205 receiving yards on 85 catches. Final 12 months, he led Regina in receptions (30) and yards (460).

The Riders chosen one other receiver, their third of the night time, within the seventh spherical as Saskatchewan drafted Ajou Ajou with the 59th total choose. 

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The 6-foot-2, 211-pound Brooks, Alta. product performed for Backyard Metropolis Group School final season after beforehand suiting up for South Florida and Clemson. 

And with their last choose of the draft, within the eighth spherical, the Riders drafted defensive again Richard Aduboffour with the 68th total choose. 

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Toronto product has performed 31 video games over the past three seasons with the Western Mustangs. 

In complete, Saskatchewan drafted two offensive linemen, two linebackers, three receivers and a defensive again.

Sombach to the Stamps 

With the 60th total choose within the seventh spherical, the Calgary Stampeders chosen Regina Rams defensive again Jackson Sombach. 

The Regina product has performed 25 video games over the past 5 seasons with the Rams, racking up 74 tackles, 15 go deflections and two interceptions. 

CFL International Draft

The CFL International Draft was held on Tuesday morning with the Riders additionally holding the third total choose.

And with their first alternative, the Riders drafted Samoan defensive lineman Tyron Taleni. At No. 12 total, the Inexperienced and White drafted Australian punter Jordy Sandy.

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The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Taleni is coming off two seasons on the College of Southern California, the place he racked up 36 tackles, six sacks and a pressured fumble in 22 video games as a Trojan. Previous to his time at USC, Taleni performed two seasons at Kansas State.

After drafting punter Adam Korsak final 12 months, the Riders added Sandy on this 12 months’s draft.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is coming off a five-year profession at TCU, the place he punted 261 occasions over 61 profession video games for a median of 40.7 yards.

Riders add American defensive lineman

The Riders additionally added an American defensive lineman on Tuesday previous to the draft because the staff signed Sidney Houston Jr.

The 6-foot-2, 246-pound Illinois native performed the final two seasons at Ball State College, the place he recorded 126 tackles and 12 sacks in 24 video games. In his senior season, he led the Mid-American Convention in tackles for loss with 17 whereas being named a first-team All-MAC.

tshire@postmedia.com

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