The Winnipeg Blue Bombers selected a total of eight players in the 2017 CFL Draft.
Here were their picks…
#1 Faith Ekakitie
Ekakitie (6-3, 290, Iowa, April 5, 1993 in Brampton, ON) played in a career-high 13 games for the Hawkeyes during his senior season of 2016, recording 39 tackles, two tackles for loss, two knock downs and one fumble recovery. He was named the Hawkeyes’ Finish Strong award winner in 2016. Ekakitie saw action in 34 games during his time at Iowa.
#8 Geoff Gray
Gray (6-6, 310, Manitoba, August 11, 1994 in Winnipeg, MB) was named the Canada West Outstanding Down Lineman of the Year, a Canadian university first-team all-star, as well as a Canada West all-star. He played in all 32 games with Manitoba (starting 30) as well six playoff games, playing both guard and tackle.
#15 Qadr Spooner
Spooner (6-4, 315, McGill, August 7, 1992 in Brossard, QC) played in the CIS East West Bowl this past season. He played in eight regular season games with four starts at left tackle, and two at left guard. Spooner was named a RESQ all-star and spent four seasons at McGill.
#23 Abubakkar Conteh
Conteh (6-2, 205, Grambling, October 2, 1995 in Winnipeg, MB) spent his final two collegiate seasons at Grambling. He recorded nine tackles in his senior season of 2016. Conteh is a Winnipeg native.
#34 Félix Ménard-Brière
Ménard-Brière (5-10, 180, Montreal, February 6, 1993 in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, QC) Ménard-Brière was named to the 2016 All-Canadian first-team as a punter, after leading USports with a 42.4-yard average. He had 21 punts inside the 20-yard line. He added 17 field goals on 25 attempts last year.
#50 Ian Marouf
Marouf (6-2, 270, Guelph, March 28, 1992 in Fort Erie, ON) played at Guelph before moving to the Hamilton Hurricanes. In 2015, Marouf recorded 25 tackles, three sacks, and one fumble recovery.
#59 Brendon Thera-Plamondon
Thera-Plamondon (6-2, 200, Calgary, December 29, 1994 in St. Albert, AB) spent four seasons with the Dinos. He missed the bulk of 2016, but recorded four catches for 55 yards in his return. He also caught five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown in two conference playoff games.
#68 Tylor Henry
Henry (5-10, 185, Alberta, April 25, 1993 in Camrose, AB) led Alberta in receiving in 2016 with 43 receptions for 611 yards. He set a Canada West record with 19 receptions in week 7 against Manitoba.
