Riders select U of S DB Nelson Lokombo second overall in CFL draft

Nelson Lokombo is going to stay in green and white as he makes the transition to the CFL.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders picked the University of Saskatchewan Huskies defensive back second overall in Tuesday’s CFL draft.

“I don’t know how to describe (my emotions). I’m still in shock, but it was all positive. I was very excited. (I) didn’t really see that coming,” Lokombo said. “I’m excited to get going.

“It’s definitely a great moment to be able to say I’m playing professionally next year.”

The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder said his pre-draft meetings with the team went well but he was still surprised to be taken by the Roughriders.

“I’m glad that they did and I’m excited to get going,” Lokombo said.

Roughriders general manager Jeremy O’Day said the team feels Lokombo can come in and be an impact player.

“(He could) have a long career here in the CFL. Obviously there’s projections that we’re doing here but we feel like he’s a special talent,” O’Day said.

The 5’11”, 190-pound defensive back played in 30 games for the Huskies, recording 115 tackles, 10 interceptions and three sacks.

Lokombo, who is from Abbotsford, B.C., was named the U Sports defensive player of the year in 2019.

“These past four years have been an eye-opener for the culture change and how different the culture from B.C. to the culture in Saskatchewan. The love of the game is huge (in Saskatchewan),” Lokombo said. “I’m excited to just be able to stay (in Saskatchewan) and not be too far away from my alma mater.”

Lokombo was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl in Florida where NFL scouts could have got a look at him, but the game was cancelled due to COVID-19.

He said the Roughriders’ coaching staff has already told him where they want to see him.

“I’ll be playing defensive back and (they) will use me as a guy who can play everywhere. (It’ll be) something similar to what I was doing at (the U of S) — playing corner, playing SAM (linebacker), playing safety, playing halfback,” Lokombo said.

O’Day said this was a deep draft at the defensive back position. He noted there were risks associated with players who played college ball in the U.S., noting some of them will return to school for another year or sign with an NFL team.

“In our mind, we felt like we had a guy (Lokombo) that’s going to come to the CFL right now. It’s an area that we’re trying to create another position ratio-wise and it’s hard to not get excited when you watch his film,” O’Day said.

“I think the first game I saw him live, he had a pick-six. Then on the next series, I thought he almost knocked the quarterback out of the game on a blitz.”

O’Day said the Roughriders are looking at changing how they use the ratio with the departure of Canadian linebacker Cam Judge, who signed with the Toronto Argonauts this off-season.

The GM feels like their draft picks and free-agent signings give the team the flexibility needed to make a change in multiple ways.

“We have the ability now to go five (Canadians) on offence and two on defence. We also have the ability to go with three on defence and four on offence,” O’Day said.

It’s the second year in a row the Roughriders have selected a player from the U of S in the first round. Last year, Saskatchewan selected offensive lineman Mattland Riley with the seventh overall pick.

Lokombo said it’s going to be a cool feeling to see his brother, Boseko Lokombo, out on the field instead of cheering him on in the stands. Boseko is a five-season CFL veteran, spending four with the B.C. Lions and one with the Montreal Alouettes.

The Roughriders also selected University of Virginia wide receiver Terrell Jana (second round, 17th overall), University of Cincinnati tight end Bruno Labelle (third round, 20th overall), University of Guelph defensive lineman Alain Cimankinda (fourth round, 35th overall), University of Calgary offensive lineman Logan Bandy (fifth round, 38th overall) and Mount Allison University defensive back Matt Watson (sixth round, 53rd overall).

The 6-foot-0, 200-pound Jana had a productive NCAA career at Virginia, making 123 receptions for 1,481 yards and five touchdowns in 33 games. A product of Vancouver, Jana was named a team captain for the Cavaliers in 2020. He is 12th on the all-time career receptions list for the school.

Labelle played in 46 games for the Bearcats, recording 20 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Labelle could possibly play as a fullback in the CFL.

The Montreal-born tight end signed a contract with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals after going undrafted in the 2021 NFL lottery.

Cimankinda recorded a sack in every game but one in the 2019-20 season, finishing the year with 7.5 sacks in eight games. The 6-foot-1, 245-pounder is from Gatineau, Que.

Bandy, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive lineman, played in 23 games for the Dinos. The Calgary product helped lead the Dinos to a Vanier Cup win in 2019.

Watson (5-foot-11, 177 pounds) played in 23 games for the Mounties. The Brampton-born defender recorded 43 tackles and three interceptions during his time there.

O’Day said it’s exciting getting a chance to let these players know they’ll have an opportunity at the pro level.

“It’s a call that you enjoy making. Sitting in this chair, I’ve had to make a lot of tough calls that you don’t enjoy about the job. Certainly one of the perks is getting on the phone with (draft picks) and giving them the good news. It’s something they’ve been working at for a long time,” O’Day said.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats selected tight end Jake Burt first overall. Burt was born in Regina but grew up in Boston.

Hamilton also selected UBC Thunderbirds linebacker Nick Cross with the ninth pick overall. Cross, a product of the LeBoldus Golden Suns, began his university career with the Regina Rams and was named the U Sports rookie of the year in 2017.

Huskies offensive lineman Connor Berglof (third round, 24th overall, Ottawa Redblacks), Rams linebacker Robbie Lowes (fourth round, 34th overall, Winnipeg Blue Bombers), Rams tailback Kyle Borsa (fifth round, 39th overall, Winnipeg) and Huskies DB Josh Hagerty (sixth round, 47th overall, Toronto) also were selected in the draft.

Berglof hails from Saskatoon. Lowes, Borsa and Hagerty all are from Regina.