With equal talent, Danny Maciocia and the Alouettes will always choose Quebec players – and we saw it again on Tuesday night. But in the opinion of those familiar with the prospects available in the 2022 CFL Draft, Tyrell Richards was in a class of his own at the top of the auction.
Updated yesterday at 11:17 p.m.
That’s a view shared by Maciocia, who picked Richards with the first-ever selection in the CFL’s annual draft on Tuesday night. The Alouettes had announced earlier in the day that they had obtained this choice from the Edmonton Elks in return for their own first round choice (4and in total) and rights to offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell, who spent the past two seasons on the Indianapolis Colts’ reserve team. The Alouettes picked O’Donnell in the third round two years ago.
Richards is a player who stands out for his great versatility, being able to evolve in several positions in defense, while being an ace on special teams.
“He can play on the defensive line or as a linebacker, and he’s a player who covers a lot of ground. He will impose himself physically. He dominated on special teams at Syracuse University and he dominated the evaluation camp in Toronto, where he was by far the best player. He will have an impact on our team from 2022,” said Maciocia.
It was as soon as he boarded the plane that brought him back from Toronto after the national evaluation camp that the GM of the Alouettes began to think of ways to obtain the first choice of the draft and, so, Richards.
“I had been working on this for almost two months and we finally found common ground in the last 48 hours. There was a moment when I felt like it wouldn’t happen. But we continued to talk with Edmonton and we got along. »
“I did have the impression that the Alouettes were interested in me at the evaluation camp, but I had no idea that this is how things would turn out. I’m very happy with the outcome and I’m excited to get to work,” commented Richards, who was born in Ottawa and raised in Brampton, Ont.
The team made a deal to get me, which makes it even more special. It will now be up to me to return the favor.
Tyrell Richards
“My dream was to play professional football, so being the very first pick in the draft, I think that’s the best feeling I’ve had in my life. »
A year without playing
In his last season with the Syracuse University Orange, in 2020, Richards was named the team’s MVP on special teams. Like the vast majority of Canadian players, it is also within the special teams that Richards will first have to stand out.
“I want to be part of each of our special teams groups. I will occupy the role that we want to give me in defense. »
The 23-year-old opened up about his decision to leave Syracuse University after his third season in 2020, but wouldn’t go into too much detail.
“There were a number of things going on in my personal life and at Syracuse, so I felt it was in my best interest to leave. I don’t think not having played last season will affect my game. I think I showed during the evaluation camp in Toronto that there was no rust. »
Three Quebecers in a row
Danny Maciocia made another big deal when he acquired the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ first pick, the ninth and last pick in the opening round, in the days leading up to the draft. The Bombers got defensive lineman Cam Lawson and 13and picks overall, while the Birds received all 9and and 18and selections.
With the 9and choice, the Als drafted receiver Tyson Philpot from the University of Calgary. At 18andMaciocia selected offensive lineman Rodeem Brown from the University of Alberta.
The Alouettes then drafted Quebecers with their next three picks. Receiver Vincent Forbes-Mombleau, a product of the Université Laval Rouge et Or, will begin his professional career in Montreal after being the 24and selected hope.
After choosing Forbes-Mombleau in the third round, the Alouettes chose defensive back Tysen-Otis Copeland at 33and rank, then the attacking half Ryth-Jean Giraud at 42and rank. Both players played with the Université de Montréal Carabins and are therefore well known to Maciocia and the Alouettes’ football operations.
Four other Quebec players were drafted in the first three rounds. The Elks used the fourth pick of the first round, which they obtained from the Alouettes, to select defensive back Enock Makonzo (Coastal Carolina University). Receiver Samuel Emilus (Louisiana Tech) was then the seventh draft prospect and is now a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Offensive linemen Cyrille Hogan-Saindon (Laval) and Joshua Archibald (McGill) were selected respectively by the Ottawa Red and Black in the 11and rank and by the BC Lions at 23and rank.
The overall draft
It was also the Alouettes who kicked off the overall draft on Tuesday afternoon, they who held the first choice. They selected Nigerian defensive end Kingsley Jonathan with this selection.
Like Tyrell Richards, Jonathan played his college football with the Syracuse University Orange. However, he recently signed a contract as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills, with whom he will try his luck in the NFL.
Along with their two other overall draft picks, the Alouettes selected Dutch tight end Thomas Odukoya (Eastern Washington University) and Australian kicker Kirk Christodoulou (University of Pittsburgh).