Rams Offensive Stars Make Impact In CFL Draft
By Greg Urbanoski
The University of Regina Rams are definitely being noticed when it comes to the Canadian Football League draft.
Last year, receiver Chris Bauman became the first Rams player to be picked first overall in the CFL draft. This year, offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte went sixth overall to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers while Quarterback Teale Orban was the 41st pick by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the first Canadian quarterback taken in the CFL draft since 2003.
At the Rams spring camp last weekend, both players were a bundle of nerves as they awaited the CFL draft. However draft day was even worse.
“It is such a relief to know where I am going,” said LaBatte. “It’s nice to have closure by getting selected.
“I just got off the phone with the head coach and I had no idea until 30 seconds before they selected me. My agent said Winnipeg’s pick would be my last shot at being taken in the first round and then they made the announcement.”
LaBatte didn’t get into a detailed discussion with the Bomber brass about their future plans for him on the offensive line as most of their discussions centered around working with the Blue Bombers offensive line coach.
“I’m going in with the plan to crack the starting line-up,” said LaBatte. “They seem to like my skill set and toughness when on the field.
“My phone has been ringing off the hook all day. There were some opportunities to get invited to try-outs in the NFL but my agent and I agreed unless there was something worth signing, I would commit to the CFL.”
LaBatte said he wanted to prepare himself for the Blue Bombers camp and credited the University of Regina Rams program under Frank McCrystal for giving him the opportunity to get drafted by a professional football team.
“The Rams have been great,” said LaBatte. “The pro-style offense that they have gives you all the tools to make it to professional football. Now I have to put in the work to make the next step happen, but I owe the Rams a lot to be here.”
Orban was absolutely ecstatic to be chosen by his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “When you talk to the coaches they state things will work out and you don’t know what to take from that.
“I also didn’t have an agent so I was totally in the dark about what was going on, so I decided to let myself enjoy the situation and I got blessed with getting picked.”
Orban said he doesn’t feel the pressure of being the first Canadian quarterback drafted in five years and especially by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“My goal is to understand what I have to do with this opportunity, be prepared for it and I’m excited by what is coming up in camp,” said Orban.
“One good thing about today is we’ve already set up times to get going and I hope to be working with the playbook pretty soon. Working with the pro-style offense with the Rams where you and the receivers have to make reads should help prepare myself for reading the defenses at the next level.”
Orban, like LaBatte, is going to sit back and enjoy draft day. The next stage of the work starts tomorrow.
“Today I am going to enjoy this,” said Orban. “I don’t think you are ever going to wipe my smile off.
“But camp is coming up quickly and I’m excited about taking this next step.”
Orban will be joined at camp by offensive lineman Ryan Ackerman, who was chosen last year by the Riders.
