The B.C. Lions have signed seven members of their 2022 CFL Draft class, defensive lineman Nathan Cherry, defensive lineman Joshua Archibald, linebacker Riley Varga, defensive back Adrian Greene and defensive linemen Riley Pickett, Frednick Eveillard and Adam Wallace.
Cherry, selected third overall, suited up in 30 games over the last three seasons with the Saskatchewan Huskies, racking up 37.5 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks.
The six-foot-three 245-pound Cherry earned U Sports first team All-Canadian and Canada West all-star honours in 2021 while also helping the Huskies win both the Hardy Cup and Uteck Bowl last season. Cherry is also the first ever Huskies defensive lineman to go in round one of the draft.
Archibald, taken with the 23rd overall pick, is a two-time Quebec conference all-star selection, and recorded 66 combined tackles, 10.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries in 28 games with McGill from 2017-2021. The Montreal native was also selected to play in the East-West Bowl in 2021 and won the Vic Obeck Trophy as McGill’s most improved player.
Varga, the team’s pick in the third round with the 29th overall selection is a versatile linebacker who appeared in 21 contests over four seasons with the Regina Rams. Along with racking up 91 combined tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries, the Regina native was a 2021 Canada West all-star and also earned an invitation to the College Gridiron Showcase early this year. Varga also earned academic All-Canadian honours four straight years.
Selected 32nd overall, Greene attended St. Mary’s from 2018-2021 and registered 37 combined tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery in 20 total appearances with the Huskies. Voted to the 2021 East-West Bowl, Greene also served as a defensive captain for the Huskies.
Pickett, selected 41st overall, was named Defensive MVP of the 2021 Uteck Bowl as the Saskatchewan Huskies upset the Montreal Carabins. Pickett appeared in 21 contests with Saskatchewan from 2018-2021, racking up 58.5 total tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, seven pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Eveillard, selected 50th overall, switched from receiver to defensive line and registered 10 combined tackles, three tackles for a loss, two-and-a-half sacks and a forced fumble in six contests with the Ottawa Gee-Gees last season.
Wallace, selected with the 68th overall pick, appeared in 15 games over three seasons with the Gee-Gees, racking up eight-and-a-half total tackles, two-and-a-half tackles for loss and two-and-a-half sacks.
Second-round pick Noah Zerr is scheduled to attend mini-camp with the New York Giants while sixth-round pick John Metchie III is headed to the Houston Texans after being selected in the second round, 44th overall, of last month’s NFL Draft.
The draft signings are welcome additions but the Lions, which went 5-9 in the 14-game season a year ago, remain longshots going into the upcoming season at Ontario sportsbooks. BC is currently () to win the West and () to shock most of the country and win the Grey Cup in 2022.
