How the Ottawa Redblacks attacked 2025 CFL draft day

Ottawa Redblacks general manager Shawn Burke added to the receiving corps with his first pick in the CFL draft. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian PressArticle content

For the second year in a row, the Ottawa Redblacks went to the wide receiver well with their first pick in the Canadian Football League draft.

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After making Nick Mardner the second overall choice in the 2024 selection process, the Redblacks opted for former University of Montana pass catcher Keelan White with the third pick Tuesday night.

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A 6-foot-2, 190-pounder former walk-on with the Grizzlies, White caught 161 passes for 1,862 yards and 14 touchdowns over his college career.

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Last season he did not drop a ball while registering 57 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns, and in December he was presented the 2024 Jon Cornish Trophy, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding Canadian student-athlete in NCAA football.

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A Brown (as in quarterback Dru) to White chemistry could form early this season if Redblacks GM Shawn Burke’s expectations that the 23-year-old North Vancouver product pushes for playing time can be met.

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“Keenan is a productive, versatile receiver who brings dependability and football intelligence to our club,” said Burke. “We’re extremely pleased to welcome him to the Ottawa Redblacks.”

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After a slow start that saw him have just 95 receiving yards through Week 11, the 6-foot-6 Mardner finished his rookie season with 26 receptions for 300 yards and three touchdowns.

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To kick off the draft on Tuesday, the Calgary Stampeders selected Damien Alford, a 6-foot-6, 211-pound wide receiver who had 1,291 receiving yards in 44 games with Syracuse (2020-2023) and Utah (2024).

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The Hamilton Ticats made Devin Veresuk, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound linebacker with the Windsor Lancers, as the second pick.

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Focus turns to the lines

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With their second pick (12th overall), the Redblacks grabbed Sam Carson, a 6-foot-4, 300-pounder from Calgary who made nine starts for the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks last season.

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Before his time in Louisiana, Carson anchored a University of Calgary O-line that was coached by his father Paul, a two-time Vanier Cup-winning offensive guard with the Dinos in 1985 and 1988.

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During Sam’s time in Calgary, the Dinos averaged 175 yards rushing per game and 6.2 yards per carry.

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“Sam is a highly competitive offensive lineman who played at a very high level in 2024,” said Burke. “His combination of versatility and intelligence will serve as an asset to our team.”

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Without a pick in the third round, the Redblacks took Northwestern Oklahoma State defensive lineman Muftah Ageli with the 33rd selection in the fourth.