Every CFL team goes into draft night with a wish list and the ultimate goal of making itself better heading into a new season.
On Tuesday night, the Ottawa REDBLACKS were confident they did just that, starting with a one-two punch of a pair of players the team had coveted heading the 2024 CFL Draft.
GM Shawn Burke and the group at REDBLACKS Draft HQ landed Auburn product Nick Mardner – the top-ranked receiver in this year’s draft – with the club’s first selection, second overall. That was followed up with the selection of defensive lineman Daniel Okpoko out of San Diego State with Ottawa’s second selection, 11th overall.
“You guys know I have a pretty serious face most of the time and I’m out here smiling,” said Burke as he met the media to break down the selections.
Dyce echoed the sentiment, saying no matter who a team has on their list, there are no guarantees they will be available. When they are, it’s a exciting moment for the whole football operations team. The coach praised the football ops staff, scouts and coaches for a job well done on draft night
“This is a true team effort and that’s how it rolls here,” he said.
Here is the full 2024 Ottawa REDBLACKS draft class:
Round 1, Pick 2:
receiver Nick Mardner
HEIGHT: 6’6 | WEIGHT: 206lbs | BIRTH DATE: 2000-04-18
HOMETOWN: Oakville, ON | SCHOOL: Auburn
Round 2, Pick 11:
defensive lineman Daniel Okpoko
HEIGHT: 6’4 | WEIGHT: 274lbs | BIRTH DATE: 2000-05-25
HOMETOWN: Saskatoon, SK | SCHOOL: San Diego State
Round 3, Pick 22:
defensive back Dawson Pierre
HEIGHT: 6’2 | WEIGHT: 219lbs | BIRTH DATE: 2000-05-29
HOMETOWN: Longueuil, QC | SCHOOL: Concordia
Round 4, Pick 35 (via BC Lions):
receiver Jahquan Bloomfield
HEIGHT: 6’0 | WEIGHT: 188lbs | BIRTH DATE: 1999-12-03
HOMETOWN: Ottawa, ON | SCHOOL: Prairie View A&M
Round 6, Pick 49:
defensive back Yani Gouadfel
HEIGHT: 6’3 | WEIGHT: 200lbs | BIRTH DATE: 1999-11-24
HOMETOWN: Mitry-Mory, France | SCHOOL: Bishop’s
Round 7, Pick 58:
linebacker Zachary Philion
HEIGHT: 6’1 | WEIGHT: 221lbs | BIRTH DATE: 1999-03-19
HOMETOWN: Buffalo, NY | SCHOOL: Concordia
Round 8, Pick 67:
receiver Russell Dixon
HEIGHT: 6’3 | WEIGHT: 230lbs | BIRTH DATE: 2001-03-10
HOMETOWN: Edmonton, AB | SCHOOL: UConn
