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B.C. Lions

Lions net seven in Canadian Draft

May 2, 2007 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release


(Vancouver) While it wasn't the first round selection feeding frenzy of a year ago, the BC Lions added some talented Canadian depth with seven selections during today's 2007 Canadian Draft.

The reigning Grey Cup champions selected wide receiver Adam Nicolson from the University of Ottawa with their first pick (8th overall) and then followed up with linebacker Josh Bean from Boise State with their second-round pick (16th overall).

The Lions had two selections in the third round including the first pick (17th overall) which they used to pick up safety Tad Crawford from Columbia University. With their fourth selection (3rd round, 24th overall) the Leos selected running back Andre Sadeghian from McMaster.

The Black and Orange followed up with three more picks including another McMaster product in defensive lineman Andrew Jones (4th round, 32nd overall) as well as Kyle Kirkwood from the University of Ottawa (5th round, 40th overall). The Lions closed the 2007 Canadian Draft with Nic Edgson from Idaho State (6th round, 48th overall).

"Overall I am pleased with the selections we were able to make," said GM and head coach Wally Buono. "A big part of our success today is due in large part to the work of coach Mike Benevides and assistant director of player personnel Neil McEvoy."

Nicolson, who was a conference all-star in both 2005 and 2006 was also selected as the team's offensive player of the year in 2006 after hauling in 45 passes for 727 yards and three touchdowns. He was also Ottawa's leading receiver in the playoffs averaging 69 yards per game and recorded a six-catch, 109 yard performance versus Saskatchewan in the 2006 Mitchell Bowl.

Bean was a backup linebacker and special teams standout for the Broncos and finished the 2006 season with 18 tackles and one fumble recovery. Bean is a graduate of Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary (2001) where he earned All-Prairie Football Conference honours as well as an All-Province selection. Bean has one year of eligibility remaining at Boise State.

Crawford finished up a brilliant four-year career at Columbia University (2003-2006) earning First-Team All-Ivy honours last season after leading the team in tackles and finishing third in the conference. The Burlington, Ontario native was the only freshman in 2003 to play in all 10 games for Columbia and averaged more than 100 tackles in each of his last three seasons.

Sadeghian enjoyed a productive final season at McMaster where he averaged almost six yards per carry over eight games (165 attempts, 983 yards) and scored 10 TD's. A threat out of the backfield, Andre also chipped in 12 receptions for 198 yards and two more touchdowns in 2006.

Jones is both a gifted student and athlete with numerous academic and athletic honours to his credit. A Second-Team OUA All-Star in 2006, Jones racked up 18 tackles, two sacks in five games. Jones was a First-Team OUA All-Star in 2004 and 2005 and a Second-Team CIS selection in 2004.

Kirkwood, a noted student of the game, started in each of his four years at Ottawa playing both right and left tackle positions on a dominant OUA offence. He caught the Lions' eye at the Laval University combine in March.

Edgson has two years remaining to play at Idaho State after redshirting in 2003 and participating in an LDS Mission in 2004 and 2005. He attended West Vancouver High School where he played wide receiver. Nic is the son of Art Edgson, a college and pro teammate of Lions GM and head coach Wally Buono.

Adam Nicolson Josh Bean Tad Crawford

(Non-Import) WR (Non-Import) LB (Non-Import) S

Ottawa Boise State Columbia

Ht: 6.04 Wt: 215 Ht: 6.02 Wt: 232 Ht: 6.03 Wt: 194

Born: 08/13/84 - N. Bay, ON Born: Calgary, AB Born: 06/16/84 - Burlington, ON

Yrs with Lions: 1st Yrs with Lions: 1st Yrs with Lions: 1st

Yrs in CFL: 1st Yrs in CFL: 1st Yrs in CFL: 1st

Andre Sadeghian Andrew Jones Kyle Kirkwood

(Non-Import) RB (Non-Import) DL (Non-Import) OL

McMaster McMaster Ottawa

Ht: 6.01 Wt: 222 Ht: 6.00 Wt: 305 Ht: 6.05 Wt: 281

Born: 10/25/84 - Beamsville, ON Born: 10/29/82 - Niagara Falls, ON Born: 03/10/87 - Sudbury, ON

Yrs with Lions: 1st Yrs with Lions: 1st Yrs with Lions: 1st

Yrs in CFL: 1st Yrs in CFL: 1st Yrs in CFL: 1st

Nic Edgson

(Non-Import) LB

Idaho State

Ht: 6.01 Wt: 220

Born: W.Vancouver, BC

Yrs with Lions: 1st

Yrs in CFL: 1st

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