The third round of the 2012 NFL Draft got some Canadian content when Boise State defensive end Tyrone Crawford of Windsor, Ont. was picked by the Dallas Cowboys 81[SUP]st[/SUP] overall. Just eight picks later, the New Orleans Saints selected American-born CIS standout from Regina, Akiem Hicks. On Saturday, during the fourth and sixth rounds, events became historic for football in Canada. Three Canadian players were selected in a single NFL draft, breaking the old record of two from last season.
With the 108[SUP]th [/SUP]overall selection, the Denver Broncos welcomed Toronto native Philip Blake (pictured above) to the NFL, all 6’ 3”, 315 pounds of him. Blake will challenge right away to be the starting centre for a team coming off a playoff season and the biggest free agent signing of all time. It’s likely Blake will be protecting future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning next season.
In the 6[SUP]th [/SUP]round of the draft, with the 189[SUP]th[/SUP] pick overall, the Oakland Raiders selected Georgia State defensive lineman Christo Bilukidi from Ottawa. The 6’ 5”, 290-pounder was originally born in Angola, but calls the Nation’s Capital home. Although home will now be in northern California for the 22-year-old if he can stick with the squad. Bilukidi is also the 6[SUP]th[/SUP] ranked prospect in the CFL for the league’s May 3 draft. He played one year at St. Patrick’s high school and played in the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA) for the Ottawa Colts.
Bilukidi’s path to the draft was highly unlikely and spanned three continents. Blake’s journey was shorter, but involved more stops.
Blake only took up the sport in 2005 as a senior at Henry Carr in Etobicoke, Ont. As a late starter, Blake received zero interest from NCAA schools out of high school. He enrolled at Champlain College in Lennoxville, Que, a CEGEP school, to attempt to qualify academically for the NCAA, as well as hone his immense natural talents.
Academic qualifications kept University of Houston head coach Art Briles from signing Blake in 2008. The now 26-year-old instead spent a year playing football at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. Blake worked hard at practice and in class to graduate early.
By then, Briles was the head coach at Baylor University in Waco, Texas and offered Blake a full scholarship. He suited up for the Bears the next season, starting 12 games in 2009.
The 2010 season saw the sociology major move from guard to centre. The next season, Blake was named as the First Team All-Big 12 centre while snapping to Heisman Trophy winner and second overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, Robert Griffin III.
Dallas, Carolina, and Indianapolis all expressed interest in Blake prior to the draft. Some draft pundits had Blake rated as high as the second-best available centre. He ended up being the third player selected at his position behind Peter Konz (55[SUP]th[/SUP]) and Ben Jones (99[SUP]th.[/SUP])
All of the Canadian players selected in the most fruitful Canuck NFL draft ever have had long journeys to even be selected. A journey begins anew for each of them right now.
Note:
After the draft Austin Pasztor, Virginia guard and #3 rated prospect for CFL Draft, signs with Vikings and Brody McKnight (Vancouver) Montana K/P signed with the New York Jets
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