WINNIPEG — Five University of Manitoba student-athletes are headed to the big leagues after being drafted by the CFL on Tuesday night.
The Bisons bid farewell to Anthony Coombs, Evan Gill, Thomas Miles, Andrew Smith and Nick Boyd.
The Toronto Argonauts selected RB/KR Anthony Coombs in the 1st round (3rd overall) and LB Thomas Miles in the 4th round (33rd overall). The Hamilton Tiger-Cats picked up DT Evan Gill in the 1st round (9th overall), while the Montreal Alouettes selected Andrew Smith in the 4th round (35th overall) and Nick Boyd in the 5th round (43rd overall) of the 2014 CFL Draft.
“I’m still trying to let it sink in,” Coombs said of being drafted. “I feel like it won’t really happen until I put on the helmet and I’m out there and someone hits me.”
Bisons head coach Brian Dobie was out of town when the draft came down, but offered up his congratulations to his players.
“Speaking for the whole staff, we are extremely proud of the five Bisons selected by CFL teams. They are all well deserved and each of them has worked hard for this moment. It speaks to the level of our team and program and the work they are putting in to receive this national recognition,” Dobie said in a statement.
The five Bisons selected are tied for the third most total in team history (2008), behind eight players picked in 1971 and seven players in 2002.
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