Defensive lineman Shomari Williams

With the first overall pick in the 2010 CFL Canadian College Draft, the Saskatchewan Roughriders selected Gaels defensive lineman Shomari Williams of Brampton, Ontario.

The Toronto Argonauts originally held the number one pick but traded the selection to the Roughriders late on Saturday.

Mr. Williams becomes only the fourth Queen's football player, and the first in 45 years, to be selected number one overall in the CFL draft. Jim Young was the last Queen's athlete taken first overall when the Toronto Argonauts drafted him in 1965.

Mr. Williams is also the first player from Queen's to be taken in the first round since Brad Elberg was selected with the second pick by Saskatchewan in 1993.

“I'm very happy to be a Roughrider”, Mr. Williams told TSN shortly after the selection was announced. “I'm ready for training camp right now and ready to begin my career in Saskatchewan.”

Saskatchewan has been one of the best teams in the CFL over the past three seasons, reaching the Grey Cup twice and winning the Canadian championship in 2007. They currently have two other former Gaels on their roster—wide receiver Rob Bagg and defensive lineman Kevin Scott.

The Gaels had one other player drafted on Sunday afternoon and that was defensive back Christopher Smith of Toronto. Smith was chosen in the fourth round, 28th overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Vanier Cup Defensive MVP joins former teammate Thaine Carter as a member of the Blue Bombers as the former Queen's linebacker was selected in the sixth round by Winnipeg a year ago.