From The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium to Foote Field at the University of Alberta, excitement can be felt throughout Edmonton leading up to Tuesday’s CFL Draft.
The Edmonton Elks hold the first overall pick, and will be making eight selections in total, one in each round. The Alberta Golden Bears football team has four draft-eligible players, including two in the CFL Scouting Bureau’s final ranking of the top 20 prospects: offensive lineman Rodeem Brown (ranked 13th) and Peter Kozushka (16th).
There is a long history of players changing from one Green and Gold jersey into another. Alberta has produced more EE draft picks than any other school, with an all-time total of 73 Golden Bears selected by Edmonton in the CFL Draft.
EE Football Team first-round-pick Cole Nelson talks getting drafted, training and more with 630 CHED's Morley Scott.
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The current Elks roster features four Alberta alumni, with two acquired via the draft: offensive lineman David Beard (2nd round, 16th overall in 2015) and defensive lineman Cole Nelson (1st round, 5th overall in 2021). Fellow former Golden Bears Mark Korte, a defensive lineman, and linebacker Shaydon Philip joined the Elks as free-agent signees.
“I’m very proud to be wearing Green and Gold,” Beard says. “There’s a very rich legacy at the U of A and here with the Elks. It’s a pretty special group to be a part of and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Elks Wall of Fame member Chris Morris, a three-time Grey Cup champion (1993, 2003 and 2005) with the Green and Gold, serves as head coach of the Golden Bears. Since he took over Alberta’s football program in December 2012, the Golden Bears have seen nine players selected in the CFL Draft, including three by the EE (Smith Wright in 2013, Beard, and Nelson).
“It’s a testament to the work that coach Morris has done at the U of A to develop players, including me,” says Beard. “It’s pretty special to be able to wear Green and Gold all the way through.”
Fans can tune into live broadcast coverage of the 2022 CFL Draft beginning at 6 p.m. MDT on TSN. For the latest draft night updates on the Elks, follow the team on social media.