First off the board was offensive lineman Mattland Riley, originally from Melfort the engineering student didn't have to wait long to hear his name called. Chosen seventh overall by the hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders, the two-time All-Canadian that paved the way for one of the top running games in the nation last season, became the highest drafted Huskie since Ben Heenan went first overall in 2012.
The Melfort product is staying put in Saskatchewan. The @sskroughriders select 2x All-Canadian Mattland Riley with the 7th overall pick. pic.twitter.com/LrBFdzIewD
- USask Huskie Football (@skhuskies) May 1, 2020
After leading the team with six sacks and being named a Canada West All-Star, defensive end Nicholas Dheilly was next up. Selected in the fifth round by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the product of Regina also had a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss.
After leading the team with 6 sacks, @CanadaWest All-Star Nicholas Dheilly will join the @Wpg_BlueBombers#HuskiePride pic.twitter.com/yGUkSafyd7
- USask Huskie Football (@skhuskies) May 1, 2020
Despite playing in just five games over the last two years due to injury, receiver Sam Baker made more than enough of an impact in his time on the field to get selected in the sixth round by the Toronto Argonauts. In just three regular season games in 2019 the product of Esterhazy was everywhere, reeling in 15 catches for 236 yards and team-high four touchdowns.
An absolute warrior is off the board. Despite playing in just three games due to injury Sam Baker hauled in four td catches.#HuskiePride pic.twitter.com/4brlUDfu8k
- USask Huskie Football (@skhuskies) May 1, 2020
Another integral part of a unit that allowed the least sacks and led the conference in rushing yards was next up. Nick Summach, a 6-8 offensive lineman from Saskatoon, was selected with the 57th pick in the seventh round of the draft by the Edmonton Eskimos.
The big man is off to @EdmontonEsks, congratulations Nick!#HuskiePride pic.twitter.com/aI9xtzr0u0
- USask Huskie Football (@skhuskies) May 1, 2020
Rounding out the night was Colton Klassen, a slotback who can also be an asset in the ground game that was taken in the eighth round. An integral part of the Huskies' 2018 Hardy Cup championship, the Holy Cross High School product was just as explosive in 2019, leading the team with 37 receptions and 456 receiving yards.
After leading the team with 37 receptions and 456 yards, Colton Klassen was selected by @MTLAlouettes pic.twitter.com/1Nmgrvz9in
- USask Huskie Football (@skhuskies) May 1, 2020
"Colton is the toughest, hardest working guy around," said Flory. "Montreal is getting one of the most versatile athletes around. He can do it all and will do it all."
Coming off back-to-back trips to the Hardy Cup, including wining the Canada West title for the first time since 2006 in 2018, this group of athletes will go down in the Huskie history book. Only once before have more than four Huskies been selected in the same draft and tonight marks the first time since the CFL Draft rules changes in 1985.
"They just have to go in, take advantage of the limited time they have to prove their value," said Flory. "They're all high character, hardworking, great athletes and will make the most of this experience."