Recapping the 8 selections made by the BC Lions in the CFL Draft. The Lions opened up their draft by taking offensive lineman George Una out of Windsor with the 6th overall pick. The Lions made 2 picks in the 2nd round drafting offensive lineman Theo Benedet out of UBC as well as receiver Ezechiel Tieide out of Concordia.
“We are excited about this year’s crop of selections and believe we have multiple guys who will come in and compete right now.” Stated co-general manager and head coach Rick Campbell. “The bonus selection in round two put us in a situation where we could acquire an excellent future pick in Theo Benedet.”
Round 1, Pick 6: OL George Una – Windsor
(25 y/o, 6’3, 300 lbs)
Una played in 17 games over the last 2 seasons with Windsor after missing the 2021 season due to a torn ACL. He played at guard over the 2023 season and has prior experience playing at tackle as well. Una was a part of an offense that had the third most rushing yards in the OUA this past regular season as the team rushed for 210.5 yards per game and averaged 6.9 yards per rush with 10 rushing touchdowns.
Una was named First Team OUA at guard following the 2023 season.
At the CFL Combine, Una ran a 5.3-second 40-yard dash, a 4.76-second shuttle, and a 7.7-second 3-cone drill. He achieved a 27-inch vertical jump, an 8’9″ broad jump, and completed 24 reps on the bench press (225 pounds).
A pass protector is a welcome addition to the Lions after they gave up 9 sacks in the Western Final loss to Winnipeg which tied the record for most sacks allowed in a CFL playoff game.
Round 2, Pick 15: OL Theo Benedet – UBC
(22 y/o, 6’7, 305 lbs)
Theo Benedet is one of the most decorated offensive linemen coming out of U Sports. He is the only offensive lineman to win the J.P. Metras in back-to-back seasons having won it in 2023 and 2022. The award is given to the best offensive or defensive lineman in U Sports annually. Additionally, he was the only U Sports player at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
At the UBC pro day, Benedet ran a 5.14-second 40-yard dash, a 4.6-second shuttle, and a 7.69-second 3-cone drill. He also performed a 34.5-inch vertical jump, a 9’6″ broad jump, and completed 23 reps on the bench press. UBC’s offensive tackles Theo Benedet and Giovani Manu drew a lot of attention from pro scouts as 16 NFL teams had representation at the pro day.
Benedet was signed shortly after the NFL Draft concluded by the Chicago Bears with $100,000 in guaranteed money. Benedet would be a terrific player for the BC if he comes to the CFL, but based on his career so far and the investment from an NFL team there is a good chance he could be in the NFL for years to come.
Round 2, Pick 19: WR Ezechiel Tieide – Concordia
(24 y/o, 6’2, 207 lbs)
Tiede started his career with Boston College where he appeared in 12 games over the 2020 and 2021 seasons although he did not receive a target. In 2022 he played for Toledo where he had 2 catches for 6 yards in 7 games.
Tiede finished his career at Concordia in 2023 where he caught 28 passes for 471 yards and 6 touchdowns.
At the CFL Combine, Tieide ran a 4.79-second 40-yard dash, a 4.5-second shuttle, and a 7.02-second 3-cone drill. He performed a 30.5-inch vertical jump and a 10’4.5″ broad jump.
Round 3, Pick 26: DB Christophe Beaulieu – Laval
(24 y/o, 6’2, 195 lbs)
Beaulieu played in 23 regular season games with Laval over the past 3 seasons. Over that span, he recorded 54 solo tackles, 13 assisted tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 3 interceptions, and 13 passes defended. In 2023 he had 3 interceptions and 13 passes defended over 8 games.
Beaulieu was named First Team All-Canadian at defensive halfback in 2022 and Second Team in 2023.
At the CFL Combine, Beaulieu ran a 4.66-second 40-yard dash, a 4.32-second shuttle, and a 6.84-second 3-cone drill. He performed a 35-inch vertical jump, a 10’5.375″ broad jump, and completed 12 reps on the bench press.
Round 5, Pick 44: DL Kail Dava – Tennessee Tech
(23 y/o, 6’3, 281 lbs)
Kail Dava played in 48 games for Tenessee Tech over 5 seasons. He recorded 41 solo tackles, 46 assisted tackles, 8 sacks, 5.5 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries with the program. This past season he received good grades from Pro Football Focus in run defense in Tenessee Tech’s games that were graded.
Dava did not participate in the CFL Combine due to recovery from torn rotator cuff surgery in December.
Round 6, Pick 53: LB Terrence Ganyi – Maine
(25 y/o, 6’2, 200 lbs)
Terrence Ganyi played for Maine in 2022 and 2023 appearing in 10 games and recording 12 total tackles and 0.5 tackles for a loss.
Prior to Maine, Ganyi played for UConn in 2018 and 2019 appearing in 13 game and recording 5 solo tackles, 8 assisted tackles, and 0.5 tackles for a loss. In 2021 he appeared in 1 game with the program.
At the CFL Combine, Ganyi ran a 4.88-second 40-yard dash, a 4.38-second shuttle, and a 7.07-second 3-cone drill. He performed a 29.5-inch vertical jump, a 9’3.5″ broad jump, and completed 10 reps on the bench press.
Round 7, Pick 62: DB Dawson Marchant – Northwest Oklahoma State
(24 y/o, 6’2, 195 lbs)
Dawson Marchant played for Northwest Oklahoma State in 2022 and 2023 appearing in 21 games. He recorded 43 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 5 passes defended, and an interception with the program. Prior to NW Oklahoma, he played for Simon Fraser University where he had 27 tackles and 8 passes defended as a true freshman in 2019.
Marchant performed a 31.5-inch vertical jump, a 10’0.5″ broad jump, and completed 14 reps on the bench press (225 pounds). He also completed a 7-second 3-cone drill and a 4.44-second shuttle. He did not run the 40-yard dash at the CFL Invitational Combine.
Round 8, Pick 71: TE Theo Johnson – Penn State
(23 y/o, 6’6, 260 lbs)
The Johnson appeared in 44 games with Penn State with 29 starts. He caught 77 passes for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns. In his final year, he had 34 catches for 341 yards and 7 touchdowns. He was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention this past season.
At the NFL Combine he demonstrated incredible athleticism for a tight end of his size, Johnson ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, a 4.19-second shuttle, and a 7.15-second 3-cone drill. He also performed a 39.5-inch vertical jump and a 10’5″ broad jump, and completed 19 reps on the bench press Johnson was drafted by the New York Giants in the 4th round of the NFL Draft 107th overall. It seems unlikely for him to leave the NFL anytime soon. If he does BC will strike gold.
Jonathan Clink joined CFL News Hub in early April of 2023. His primary responsibilities are covering the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes.
He self awarded himself the CFL Rookie Journalist of the Year in 2023 following the 2023 CFL season. He also proclaims himself to be a "really cool guy". He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and lived a large portion of his childhood in Northwest Ontario. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and misses being being able to have 4 months of skating every winter.
Clink has written over 240 articles for CFL News Hub. He was the publication's boots on the ground at the 2023 Grey Cup in Hamilton.
Clink has always had an obsession for sport and has a background in other sports as well having played hockey all his life and soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in high school. As a young child he used to log his hockey statistics after every game which is either an indication that he was destined for the role or perhaps and indication that he is rather strange.
