Burnaby, BC – Four Simon Fraser University football players were selected in Thursday’s Canadian Football League Canadian Draft, tying for the most players selected from one school.
“We’re really proud of these four players,” said head coach Dave Johnson. “All four of them are talented individuals and have worked hard, so it’s great to see that hard work pay off. To have this many players chosen really shows that our program is moving in the right direction.”
Justin Capicciotti (Toronto, ON) was the first member of the Clan selected, going to the Edmonton Eskimos, which selected the defensive lineman with the 14th overall pick in the second round.
The Calgary Stampeders then drafted a pair of Clan players, selecting offensive lineman Brad Erdos (Coaldale, AB) with the 27th pick, and defensive back Adam Berger (Surrey, BC) with the 30th pick.
Bo Palmer (North Vancouver, BC) was the final member of the Clan picked in the draft. The running back went to the Hamilton Tiger Cats, 33rd overall.
Capicciotti finished his Clan career by being named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Co-Defensive Player of the Year and was also named first-team All-Conference.
He played in nine games for SFU in 2012 and was the team leader in sacks with 10.
Erdos will return for his senior season to anchor SFU’s offensive line in 2012. He played in all 10 of the Clan’s games in 2011 and all 11 of SFU’s games in 2010 as the Clan played its first GNAC season.
He joined SFU in 2009 while the Clan was still competing in Canadian Interuniversity Sport.
Berger had his biggest game of the 2011 season for SFU in the Clan’s final game when he had a game-changing interception that he returned 43 yards for a touchdown against Central Washington. The sophomore was named GNAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against CWU.
Overall, Berger had 46 tackles on the season and led the Clan in interceptions with three.
Palmer’s selection in the draft comes on the heels of a season in which he was named GNAC All-Conference.
As a junior, he finished second in the conference with 1,219 rushing yards and was first in average yards per carry at 5.6. Palmer also finished tied for the team lead in touchdowns with eight.
Capicciotti will now look to begin his professional career with Edmonton, while Erdos, Berger and Palmer will return to the Clan for the 2012 GNAC season.
Photo credit Ron Hole Photography
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