A Magazine for Alumni and Friends
Three members of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men’s football team were selected as part of the 2017 CFL draft held in May.
Linebacker Nakas Onyeka of Brampton, Ont., was the first to have his name called. Onyeka was chosen 36th overall in the fifth round by the Toronto Argonauts and was the fifth linebacker selected. Coming off his best season yet, the communications major shone in 2016. He was the OUA President’s Award recipient, as well as an OUA First Team All-Star and U Sports First-Team All-Canadian.
Following Onyeka was defensive lineman Kwaku Boateng from Milton, Ont., who was picked in the fifth round, 41st overall by the Edmonton Eskimos. This past season, Boateng went down in Golden Hawks history as the school’s all-time sacks leader. He was both a U Sports Second Team All-Canadian and an OUA First Team All-Star.
In Edmonton, Boateng will join fellow men's football alumnus Shamawd Chambers, who was drafted sixth overall by the Eskimos in 2012 and rejoined the team this year after spending last year with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Laurier offensive lineman Brett Golding of Dunnville, Ont., was also selected, 58th overall in the seventh round by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Golding dressed for 15 regular season games during his career with Laurier, despite missing all of last season due to injury.
“I’m really excited for Nakas, Kwaku and Brett on a special night for themselves, their families and the whole Laurier football community," said Laurier head coach Michael Faulds. "The Argos, Eskimos and Ticats will all be better teams with them."
The three Laurier players chosen in the 2017 CFL draft were among 56 U Sports players drafted this year. A total of 125 players from Laurier have been drafted into the CFL since 1970.