Declan Cross (38) of the Toronto Argonauts during the game at against the Edmonton Eskimos at BMO Field in Toronto, ON, Saturday, September 16, 2017. (Photo: Johany Jutras)
The CFL Draft will be held Tuesday, April 30 via conference call.
This will be the 40th draft held since the end of the territorial exemption era in 1984, where teams were each allowed to protect two local players, meaning some of the best talent was never available for selection by other teams.
This year the Toronto Argonauts have selections number 5, 24, 25, 27, 39, 45, 48, 54, and 72.
Argonauts.ca looked back at those drafts and compiled a list of players selected in those corresponding spots since the 1985 draft.
PICK 5
In a statistical anomaly, the Argos have previously selected just once in this position.
2006, Dan Federkeil. On paper it was a great pick. The University of Calgary offensive lineman had pro size at 6’8”, 325 pounds, and had a boatload of talent. He never played for the Argos, instead suiting up for the Indianapolis Colts for four seasons, winning a Super Bowl in the process. He retired after the 2009 season, then changed his mind. He came back in 2013, playing six seasons for Calgary after the Argos sent his rights west in April of that year in exchange for linebacker Akwasi Antwi.
PICK 24
2012, Herve Tonye-Tonye. A linebacker who split his NCAA career between Alcorn State and Northern Colorado. He played 40 games over three seasons in Double Blue before spending his final season in Winnipeg and Ottawa.
2000, Benoit Meloche. A 6’2, 240-pound linebacker from Laval, Meloche never played a game for the Argos, nor anyone else in the CFL.
1997 Dave Mudge. A towering offensive lineman from Whitby who would have been a sure-fire first round pick had he not signed with the Buffalo Bills after graduating from Michigan State. He came to the Argos in 1999 but was traded to Winnipeg a year later for Brad Elberg and a fourth-round pick. Mudge would play nine seasons in Winnipeg in Montreal, being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2001.
1993 George Nimako. A defensive back from Liberty who spent seven seasons in Toronto, playing 94 regular season and a half-dozen post-season games. A tremendous special teams player, he finished with 65 special teams tackles over his career. A member of the 1996 and 1997 Grey Cup championship teams. A versatile player, Nimako was used as a kickoff returner at times and started one game at running back due to an injury to Michael Clemons.
1992, Marc Dube. Drafted out of Maine, the 6’2, 230-pound linebacker never played a game for the Argos. After his release by Toronto he spent three seasons with Calgary and Ottawa where he amassed 21 total tackles, 15 of them coming on special teams.
1985, Don Adamic. An All-Canadian offensive lineman with the UBC Thunderbirds who was a member of a Vanier Cup championship team. He never played a game for the Argos.
PICK 25
Like the fifth overall pick, the Argos have selected just once in this slot in the post-territorial draft era and as with the fifth overall selection, the player involved never played for the Argos; at least not yet in this case.
2021, Luiji Villain. He’s currently a member of the Carolina Panthers after starting his NFL career in Minnesota. He had nine sacks as a senior at Wake Forest after transferring from Michigan. A 6’4, 250-pound defender who plays linebacker in the States but would likely play end in the CFL.
In 1982 there were 18 players who were territorial exemptions. The seventh pick in the first round – therefore making it the 25th player chosen in the draft – was used on a 6’8” Arizona Wildcat who was a defensive lineman at that stage of his career. After a few years playing with the Dallas Cowboys, Chris Schultz became a mainstay on the Argonauts offensive line, playing 124 regular season and 12 post-season games, including the 1991 Grey Cup win.
PICK 27
Adam Guillemette, 2023. Selected out of Holy Cross as a long snapper. He played every game for the Argos as a rookie last season. He’ll be back in Double Blue in 2024.
Robert Woodson, 2017. A defensive back from the University of Calgary. He spent three seasons in Toronto, playing in 34 regular season games and two post-season contests, including the 2017 Grey Cup win over Calgary. He made his mark on special teams, where he racked up 23 tackles.
Declan Cross, 2016. The fullback from McMaster rarely touched the ball as a Marauder. He was drafted for his blocking ability and his skill as a special teamer, though twice in his Argo career he caught 30 or more passes. A fan favourite, he played 105 regular season and five post-season games with the Argos, including the 2017 Grey Cup game, where he caught two passes for two-point conversions.
PICK 39
Dillon Campbell, 2015. A talented running back from Laurier who had games of 293 and 285 rushing yards as a Hawk. The 5’8”, 190-pound Whitby native won the OUA’s Most Valuable Player Award in 2014 but never played for the Argos.
Brian Ramsay, 2006. Played 51 games for the Argos as a tackle. After three seasons in Toronto the 6’8” Ramsay played one season in Hamilton, then five more in Edmonton, where he won a Grey Cup in 2015. For the last several seasons he’s been on the CFLPA executive, currently serving as the executive director.
Mike Mahoney 2004. A conference all-star linebacker out of McGill who never played for the Argos. Mahoney could also long snap and was able to play for four seasons in the league with Calgary, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg.
Derick Fury, 2003. An All-Canadian linebacker/defensive back from Mount Allison who never suited up in Double Blue. He was released during his first training camp.
Marvin Brereton, 2002. A 6’3”, 230-pound fullback/tight end from the University of Buffalo. The Mississauga native and Clarkson grad never played for the Argos.
Jermaine Romans, 2001. An All-Canadian defensive back from Acadia who never cracked the Argo lineup. He was signed by the Ticats in 2002 but was released during training camp.
Chris Munford, 1988. A safety from Simon Fraser University who played 32 games for the Boatmen 1990-92, winning a Grey Cup in 1991. He had five interceptions for the Argos in the ’91 championship season. Munford would play in 51 games over six seasons in the CFL, also playing with Hamilton and Saskatchewan.
Brian Cluff, 1986. A defensive end on the 1984 Vanier Cup champion University of Guelph, for whom he started 50 games. While he never played for the Argos, Cluff ended up making a significant contribution to the organization. He’s been a coach with the Gryphons for close to 40 years and it was in that role that he recommended to one of his players, Jake Reinhart, that he should work on becoming a long snapper. Reinhart took him up on his suggestion and became elite in that role for the Argos, suiting up for 120 games.
Pick 45
Edouard Paradis, 2023. Will again report to Argos training camp after winning a Vanier Cup title with the Montreal Carabins last season. He played for three years at Houston Christian University and two seasons at the New Mexico Military Institute before transferring to U-Montreal.
Matt Black, 2008. His interception in the end zone clinched the 2017 Grey Cup for the Boatmen. The defensive back out of Northern Secondary and Saginaw Valley State played 127 regular season and nine post-season games for Toronto, winning Grey Cups in 2012 and 2017. He is now the team’s director of team performance and player relations.
Chuck Walsh 2002: The Burlington native terrorized OUA opponents as a member of the Waterloo Warriors, where he was named a First Team All-Canadian. A defensive end and special teamer, he played 58 regular season and 8 post season games with the Argos, highlighted by the 2004 Grey Cup win.
Steve Roest, 1991. He was a defensive lineman who played with the University of Toronto. He never saw game action for the Argos.
Pick 48
Samuel Baker, 2020. A Canada West all-star receiver who returned to play for the University of Saskatchewan after being drafted. Baker had added value as someone who could long snap. He was released by the Argos the next season.
Brendan Mahoney, 2004. A wide receiver from Simon Fraser who in one playoff game against Regina caught 11 passes for 294 yards and five touchdowns. While he was released during training camp in his rookie year, his CFL journey was not over. He’s been with the Calgary Stampeders in various capacities since 2007 and is currently their assistant general manager and director of player personnel.
Michael Palmer, 2003. A speedy receiver out of Guelph who caught 57 passes for 618 yards in over four seasons with the Argos. He played 69 regular season and 8 playoff games for the Argos, winning a Grey Cup in 2004. He’d end his career with a season and a half in Saskatchewan.
Sean Spender, 2002. A linebacker out of Guelph. He was released in training camp and immediately signed with the Alouettes. He played three seasons in the league, splitting his 44 games played between Montreal and Edmonton.
Kris Kershaw, 1997. A quarterback who played at Salisbury State. A series of injuries forced the Regina native to announce he was leaving the game after his junior season. The Argos drafted him, but he kept his promise and retired from football.
Dave Scandiffio, 1993. An offensive lineman who was a part of the 1993 University of Toronto Vanier Cup championship team. A First Team All-Canadian and winner of the J.P. Metras Award as the country’s top lineman, he failed to make the Argos roster.
Tim Bisci, 1992. He was a 5’10” defensive back from Laurier, where he won a Vanier Cup. A member of the Welland Sports Hall of Fame. He’s been the long-time head coach at Notre Dame College School there, where’s he coached, among others, former Argo Chris Van Zeyl.
Bruce Elliott, 1986. He played 109 regular season, and 9 post-season games with the Argos, winning a Grey Cup in 1991. A linebacker out of Western, he recorded 93 tackles and 8 sacks in Double Blue. Elliott spent his entire CFL career with Toronto.
PICK 54
Ife Onyemenam, 2023. A linebacker who wrapped up his OUA career with Laurier last season. The St. Michael’s College and Clarkson Football North product was named a First-Team All-Canadian and will compete for a roster spot this year.
Justin Herdman-Reed, 2017. A linebacker who was a contributor on special teams. He played in 29 games over two seasons in Toronto and was a member of the 2017 Grey Cup championship team. He’s currently playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Riall Johnson, 2004. The defensive end was chosen in the supplemental portion of the draft. Johnson played four seasons in the NFL before being selected in the supplemental draft. He played 60 regular season and 4 post season games over four seasons with the Argos before being traded to Winnipeg for Zeke Moreno. He played additional CFL season split between the Alouettes and Blue Bombers.
Darryl Ray, 2002. He played 7 games for the Argos in 2002. The 6’3” receiver from the University of Ottawa’s 2000 Vanier Cup championship team caught 5 passes for 39 yards in his one season with the Boatmen. He would later play three seasons with the Ottawa Renegades and another with the Blue Bombers.
Brian Beckles, 1989. An All-Canadian centre from Laurier who didn’t make it out of training camp with the Argos. He was a coach on the Golden Hawks 2005 Vanier Cup winning team.
PICK 72
Anthony Vandal, 2023. He’ll be back at Argos camp again this year after returning to Sherbrooke last season to play for Dominic Picard, the Argos new running backs coach, who was the Vert et Or’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Vandal is a three-time RESQ all-star on the offensive line.