VANCOUVER – Selected third overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, UBC defensive lineman
Lake Korte-Moore led the way Tuesday night for the three Thunderbirds who had their names called during the 2023 CFL Draft.
Defensive lineman
Luke Burton-Krahn (3
rd round – Edmonton) and receiver
Lucas Robertson (8
th round – Calgary) were also selected as three T-Birds were drafted for the third consecutive year.
The first U SPORTS player selected in the draft, Korte-Moore's stock continued to rise following another stellar season on the field and a terrific showing at the recent CFL combine.
"It was a shock at first, I was just sitting around with my family and it came up on the screen and everyone just kind of went crazy while I just stood still – it was a shocking moment," said Korte-Moore who becomes the third T-Bird third overall selection in program history. "It was definitely a great surprise and I'm very happy to have gone where I've gone and be a part of the Saskatchewan Roughriders now."
A native of Ottawa, Ontario, the 6-foot-3, 264 pound Arts student entered Tuesday's draft as the highest rated U SPORTS product and was a 2022 Canada West defensive All-Star, leading the T-Birds with five sacks, the second highest total in the conference.
"Coach (Pat)Tracey and Coach
Shomari Williams have done an amazing job developing me as a man and as a player," added Korte-Moore who gave plenty of credit to his teammates and coaches for helping him get to this point. "And over the years I've started to get that confidence and play the way I can and garner a lot of intelligence and information from the coaches to be able to perform on the field. This last year has kind of just been the final exam of what I've been working towards and what I've been practicing the last four or five years. I'm going to keep on working to be the best person and player I can be and hopefully bring a Grey Cup to Saskatchewan this year. I want to be successful there and just keep driving and moving forward and keep working as hard as I can."
Korte-Moore becomes the first Thunderbird to go third overall since running back Julien Radlein was taken by Hamilton in 2003. He's also the first opening round pick since Nic Cross was selected ninth overall by the Tiger-Cats in 2021.
Fellow defensive lineman
Luke Burton-Krahn was selected 23
rd overall by the Edmonton Elks. The fourth-year Arts student was selected as a long snapper, duties which saw the utility player clearly stand out.
The 6-foot-1, 225 pound Victoria product had one of the best performances of his collegiate career at the 2022 Shrum Bowl where he amassed eight total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Selected by the Calgary Stampeders in the eighth round, 69
th overall, receiver
Lucas Robertson brings a rare combination of size, strength, and dexterity.
The 6-foot-4, 230 pound native of Edmonton is an imposing blocker with the ability to move the ball forward when called upon, averaging over 10 yards per reception in 2022.
Tuesday's trio gives head coach
Blake Nill a total of 28 CFL Draft selections in his eight years at UBC. Overall it was another excellent night for the Canada West conference with a total of 17 players drafted – four by the defending Hardy Cup champion Saskatchewan Huskies, four from the Regina Rams, three each from UBC and Alberta, two from Manitoba, and one from Calgary.
Korte-Moore, Burton-Krahn, and Robertson will all now have the opportunity to head to their respective teams' training camps which will get underway later this month as the 2023 CFL season quickly approaches.
