B.C. bound: Lions snag Cherry, Zerr, Pickett in 2022 CFL Draft

The number is now 72.

72 Huskies have been selected in the history of the CFL Draft in the history of the modern era draft, as Nathan Cherry, Noah Zerr and Riley Pickett all etched their names into the program's record books on Tuesday night, after all three were selected by the BC Lions in the 2022 CFL Draft. The three selections marked the first time since 1989 that three Huskies were selected to one team in the same CFL Draft.

“They're all incredibly well deserving and I’m really, really proud of them and really happy for them,” said Huskies head coach Scott Flory. “Those guys have bought in and have committed to what we're doing. They're coachable. All the things that you need to succeed — they embody all that.”

Cherry makes history

Cherry got the party started early on draft night, as he became the highest-ever selected Huskies defensive lineman in program history and first to go in the first round, as he was selected third-overall by the BC Lions. 

With the Cherry selection, Saskatchewan became the only school in the nation to have a first-round selection in the last three drafts.

After being ranked 20th in the final edition of the CFL Scouting Bureau’s top prospects, Cherry rocketed up the board on draft night.

“I don't know every team’s situations, but I think they just probably didn't want to risk him not being around and not getting a chance to get him because I think he's just got such a high ceiling. He's gonna be in the league for a long time,” said Flory.

It was a standout season for Cherry, who earned starter status for the first-time in his Huskies career and he produced. The Aden Bowman Collegiate graduate finished the season third in the nation with 5.5 sacks, earning U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star nods.

“He only really started one year, and he's a First-Team All-Canadian,” said Flory.

“His motor, his intangibles, his quickness, his get-off, all that stuff just leads to long term success. It means you'll probably get on the field quicker, you're more resilient, injuries, all that kind of stuff — he's just got a lot of those makings to be able to grind through what it takes to get through a CFL season. I anticipate him having a long career.”

Another one to the Lions

Joining Cherry on the West Coast is Noah Zerr. The Langenburg, Sask. product didn’t have to wait too long to hear his name called on draft night as he was selected in the second round, 12th overall by the BC Lions. Zerr became the seventh Huskies offensive lineman since 2010 to be selected in the CFL Draft and fifth in the first three rounds.

“It's going be a really good spot for him. I know that they'll develop them and they'll get him ready to play at the CFL level,” said Flory.

“At the end of it, you just want that opportunity and for him going to a good spot there and then being coached by an alumnus in Kelly Bates out there, who is the offensive line coach is a great thing too. I don't know how much Kelly had in the draft, but I don't doubt that there's a little bit of influence there.”

The Zerr selection comes after it was announced earlier in the day that he had accepted to New York Giants rookie mini-camp.

Make it three to B.C.

The Lions must liked what they’ve seen at Griffiths, as they went back to the well — calling the name of Riley Pickett, who was the of 2021 Uteck Bowl Defensive MVP, in the fifth round with the 41st overall selection.

Pickett developed a dominant one-two punch with Cherry along the defensive line this season for the Huskies and earned the first Canada West All-Star nod of his Huskies career, after racking up 11 total tackles and three sacks in only five-regular season games.

And now Pickett will remain side-by-side Cherry, as the pair of pass rushers will make the transition to the CFL as teammates.

“Riley's worked so hard and he's come a long way. Starting with the Hilltops, coming in with us and he's progressed so much as a football player and he’s very deserving of this opportunity,” said Flory.

“Another incredibly well deserving guy and again, just going into a good situation.”

The trio will get to don the Lions colours for the first time on May 11, when the team’s training camp gets underway in Kamloops, B.C.

“All three of those guys training camp together. They'll have familiar faces around and they’ll be competing with and against each other as well. It'd be no different than here at practice or spring camp with us,” said Flory.

With the three selections in Tuesday night’s draft, Saskatchewan now has had 11 draft picks in the last three drafts — the most in the nation.

“From a program standpoint, obviously you're having success, you're getting top-end athletes in here, growing and developing them. Programs that have success and then they have more opportunity to showcase their talent and skill,” said Flory.

The next generation of Huskies looking to become future CFL draft picks will continue their pursuit to the pros this week, when the team’s 2022 spring camp begins on Thursday.