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After months of speculation about what the Roughriders would do with its first overall pick – the Roughriders have selected offensive tackle Josiah St. John.
“He’s one of the largest, most athletic guys,” Chris Jones told TSN after making the pick. Jones said he thinks St. John could have an impact right away.
But, the first overall pick himself said he didn’t expect to go where he did.
“I was really just as surprised as you guys were to be here today,” he told media from across the nation Tuesday evening.
“There’s obviously pressure being number one, but I’m not really worried about it too much.”
St. John said he has not signed a contract with the Roughriders yet, but he’s ready to get to work, earn a spot and meet his teammates.
“I’m really excited to get down there and get started, working towards contributing to the team early and winning a championship with Saskatchewan,” he said.
The Toronto native played college at the University of Oklahoma. He started four of seven games for the Sooners last season. According to the CFL, St. John is the first Oklahoma player to be picked first overall in CFL Draft history.
St. John is slated at six-foot five-inches tall and 305 lbs.
The Roughriders have a history of selecting offensive lineman in the CFL Draft. The Riders picked now retired Ben Heenan the last time they had the number one overall pick in 2011. In 2013, they took another lineman, Corey Watman, who recently signed a free agent contract with the Toronto Argonauts.
In last year’s first round the Roughriders took wide receiver Nik Demski. It’s the first time the team took a player that wasn’t an offensive lineman in the first round in the last five years.
RIDERS PICK BY PICK
1st overall – OL Josiah St. John (Oklahoma)
24th overall – DB Elie Bouka (Calgary)
26th overall – K/P Quinn van Glyswyk (UBC)
35th overall – DL David Onyemata (Manitoba)
36th overall – LB Alex Ogbongbemiga (Calgary Colts)
52nd overall – OL Alex McKay (Manitoba)
Check back for updates on this developing story.
