Alouettes choose Swedish DL Sandberg in CFL world draft

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The Alouettes chosen Swedish defensive-lineman Simon Sandberg with their first choose (fifth total) in Tuesday’s CFL world draft.

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It marked the start of a busy day for all 9 CFL groups, who proceed getting ready for Tuesday evening’s eight-round Canadian school draft (8 p.m., TSN1, TSN3, RDS.ca). Montreal has two first-round picks — fifth and seventh total — together with three of the highest 13 picks.

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The 6-foot-3, 295-pound Sandberg joins the Als from Oregon State College, the place he produced 17 tackles and two tackles for losses in 13 video games, all begins. He additionally obtained an all-Pac-12 honourable point out.

Sandberg performed 40 video games over 4 years with the Beavers, the place he amassed 51 tackles, one other eight for losses and one quarterback sack. The 26-year-old additionally knocked down 5 passes and compelled one fumble.

Sandberg’s inventory reportedly rose this previous March, when he examined effectively on the CFL mix in Edmonton.

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Als basic supervisor Danny Maciocia is bullish on the prospect.

“He performed in a aggressive convention and carried out at a excessive degree,” Maciocia informed the Montreal Gazette. “He can affect a roster.”

With its second and remaining choice within the world draft, the Als took Australian punter Rhys Byrns 14th total.

Byrns performed collegiately on the College of Louisiana-Lafayette. He was named a first-team all-Solar Belt all star throughout his remaining two seasons with the Ragin Cajuns.

In 2021, he led the convention with a 46.3-yard common, the Eleventh-highest whole within the nation. As well as, 19 of his punts had been a minimum of 50 yards. Final season, his common dipped barely, to 43.4 yards.

In 5 seasons on the college, Byrns maintained an total 43.5-yard common and had 246 profession punts.

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Nonetheless, he’ll be hard-pressed to make the Als’ roster, the place Australian punter Joseph Zema has dealt with the workforce’s punting duties the final two seasons. Zema, 6-foot-1 and 215 kilos, has one of many league’s strongest legs. Zema punted 85 instances final season whereas recording a 47.3-yard common. He additionally had his contract prolonged final month by way of the 2024 season.

The Ottawa Redblacks had the primary choose within the world draft and used it to pick out defensive-lineman Blessman Ta’ala, an American Samoan who performed collegiately on the College of Hawaii.

On the CFL mix, he tied world participant Max Parkinson for essentially the most bench-press reps, with 29. The 6-foot, 291-pound Ta’ala additionally was timed in 5.22 seconds over 40 yards. In 64 profession video games over 5 seasons, he had 142 defensive tackles and 4 sacks.

Finishing the highest three had been British kicker Dean Faithfull, who went second total to Edmonton, and Australian punter Adam Korsak, third total to Saskatchewan.

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