TORONTO – It was a good day to be a UBC linebacker as three Thunderbirds heard their names called to the professional ranks at the 2021 CFL Draft Tuesday night.
Nick Cross became the first UBC opening round selection in three years when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats selected him with the ninth overall pick. Fellow linebackers
Ben Hladik (BC Lions, 3
rd round, 22
nd overall) and
Elliot Graham (Calgary Stampeders, 4
th round, 29
th overall) were also chosen as the evening turned out to be a tremendous showcase of the T-Birds' defence.
"I'm very, very happy for the players but I'm also proud of what it represents for our program," said UBC head coach
Blake Nill who has now overseen 22 players drafted to the CFL in his six years with the T-Birds. "This also represents the coaches who develop these kids, the academic staff that support them, the medical staff who keep them healthy. Football truly is a team sport and when everyone does their jobs we have nights like this."
All told, the Canada West conference boasted 14 selections through the six-round draft, matching last year's total despite two fewer rounds in 2021.
"It just represents how professionals view the competitive level of this league," added Nill. "This is very good football. Every program and the coaches and assistant coaches and administrators can take a bit of a bow, because once again Canada West flexed its muscle in the draft."
Taken ninth overall by Hamilton, Cross becomes the first T-Bird to be selected in the opening round since
Dakoda Shepley was taken fifth overall in 2018.
Ranked the 20
th top CFL prospect heading into the 2021 draft last fall, Cross amassed an impressive 66.5 total tackles in 2019, 58 of them solo efforts, the most in the entire country. The Regina, Saskatchewan native also recorded a sack and an interception.
Named a Canada West All-Star and U SPORTS All-Canadian in 2019, Cross was invited to the 2020 East-West Bowl.
"What I've always been impressed about with Nick is his instincts on the field and the speed at which he plays the game," said Nill. "He plays the game with an old fashioned urgency that you don't see a lot anymore. Off the field is where this kid really shines. If you look at his development in terms of his academic success, his leadership, the way he conducts himself, I think that's where you really see his strength and I couldn't be happier for him."
Listed 16
th in the CFL's fall pre-draft rankings, Hladik could certainly be viewed as a steal for the Lions with the 22
nd overall pick.
Hailing from Vernon, B.C., Hladik finished second on the 'Birds in 2019 with 48.5 tackles, the fourth highest total in the Canada West. The two-time All-Canadian added two sacks and an interception which he ran back 50 yards for a touchdown. Hladik was also named the Canada West's top defensive player in 2018.
"Ben was the first kid who committed to us after the Vanier Cup win in 2015 and I thought we hit the jackpot right there. I looked at that kid and thought he'd be one of our best, and he's never let us down. Ben has been (defensive coordinator Pat) Tracey's go-to guy for four years. He's been a leader as a young man, played every position we felt we needed an advantage at and he's just a tremendous individual. He's going to be a tremendous pro, he's going to do everything they ask."
Rounding out UBC's big night with the 29
th overall pick to Calgary, Graham heads to the Stampede City with 48 career solo tackles, 42 assisted tackles, and a pair of quarterback sacks.
Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, Graham was also invited to the 2020 U SPORTS East-West Bowl and took part in the recent CFL Western Combine where he certainly impressed.
"I'm very proud of Elliot, he's another young man who was able to showcase his physical skills, showcase his character to the pros, and I believe he'll stick with the Stampeders. I know they're excited about his potential and I'm grateful for the opportunity to coach Elliot and he's going to be a great representative of this program and a terrific UBC alumnus."
Following outstanding careers with the Thunderbirds, these three linebackers will now get their shot at cracking professional rosters as the CFL looks at a return to play in August. The T-Birds, meanwhile, will continue the legacy of these young men as the Canada West aims for a return to action this fall.
