TORONTO - A total of four Gryphon football players were selected in the 2018 CFL Draft, which took place Thursday evening (May 3). Offensive lineman Andrew Pickett and defensive back Royce Metchie were both selected in the 3rd round, while kicker Gabe Ferraro and defensive back Nick Parisotto were taken in the 7th and 8th rounds, respectively. The four Gryphon players selected is the most University of Guelph representation in the CFL Draft since 2016 when five U of G players were drafted. "We are incredibly proud of our young men who got drafted last night," said Gryphons interim head coach Todd Galloway. "They've worked so hard for this moment and now they are going to get a chance to showcase in front of a CFL franchise."

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When Andrew Pickett became the first Gryphon name called on Thursday evening, it should have come as no surprise to those who have followed the Gryphon football program closely the last few years.

The 6'4" 300 lbs Kitchener native was ranked No. 12 in the latest CFL Scouting Bureau list after putting together an impressive four years anchoring the Gryphon offensive line. Pickett, a three-time OUA All-Star and a First Team All-Canadian in 2017, was selected by the Ottawa RedBLACKS in the 3rd round with the 22nd overall pick. He becomes the second Gryphon offensive lineman in the last three years to be drafted by the RedBLACKS after Kyle Fraser-Audit was selected by Ottawa back in 2016.

Just minutes after Pickett was selected by Ottawa, defensive back Royce Metchie would have his name called with the Calgary Stampeders using their third pick of the draft to take the athletic free safety at 25th overall. During his time at the University of Guelph, Metchie showcased tremendous versatility and athleticism, spending time at free safety, halfback and linebacker. The Brampton native also was also an impact player on special teams during his time at the OUA level.

Of course, you cannot mention Gryphon special teams without bringing up the name Gabe Ferraro.

The fourth year Mississauga native is coming off the greatest single-season ever by a Canadian university kicker and on Thursday evening, the two-time All-Canadian was the lone kicker to be drafted, with the Stampeders taking him in the 7th round at 59th overall. Ferraro set a new U SPORTS single-season record with 33 made field goals in 2017 and will now head to Calgary looking to showcase his talent at the professional level.

Rounding out the Gryphons 2018 draft picks was Guelph native Nick Parisotto. Parisotto, who attended high school in Guelph at Our Lady of Lourdes, was selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 8th round (66th overall). For the last four years, Parisotto has established himself as one of the most talented and reliable defensive backs in Canadian university football. A Second Team All-Canadian in 2015 and a First Team OUA All-Star in 2017, Pickett has been a physical and agile presence for the Gryphons at the halfback position and also has the skill set to contribute on special teams for the Ticats.

This quartet of Gryphon draft picks will now look to earn a spot on their respective rosters and join the other 10 former Gryphon football players currently in the CFL. The 2018 CFL regular season kicks off on June 14, but fans in Guelph can get a front row seat to some CFL football on Thursday, June 7 when the Toronto Argonauts take on the Ottawa RedBLACKS in a preseason game at the University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium. Tickets for that game, which will feature a total of five former Gryphons, are available now on gryphons.ca.