April 27 - Defensive Back Howie Dryden and Rush End Dave Tucker are now property of CFL teams after both were selected in today's CFL draft.

Dryden was selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who used the third pick in the fifth round, to select the speedy and crafty 6'0" 205-lb native of Moncton, NB.

Only a few minutes later, the B.C. Lions selected the 6'2" 245-lb Tucker with the eighth pick in the round. Tucker, who was the Canada West sacks leader in 2000 with 7, anchored a defence that led the Can West in sacks last season with 25.

Both players were integral members of the toughest defence in Canada West last year and one of the stingiest in all of the CIAU.

Dryden is one of the best defensive backs in Canada West and probably should have been an all-star selection this past season. Along with Darnell Edwards, Mike Plante and Rustin Smith he anchored one of the best secondaries in the nation that only gave up 137 points or an average of 17.13 points per game. Howie has tremendous speed and the ability to break on the ball early, making him a very tough defensive back to beat. He would probably have more tackles and interceptions, but most teams in Canada West directed their passing attack away from the 6'0" 205-lb DB.

In what was a coming out year for the native of Riverview, New Brunswick, Bison defensive end Dave Tucker starred on a defense that allowed the fewest points in Canada West at 137 last season and also registered the most sacks at 25. Dubbed the "sackmaster" by his teammates and the local media, he led all of Canada West with 7 this year and also recovered three fumbles returning one for a touchdown in the first game of the season against the UBC Thunderbirds. Tucker was unstoppable all year and even when he didn't get to the quarterback he made life miserable for opposing offensive linemen in the trenches. Both players definitely have the tools to be solid players in the CFL and both should get hard looks at their first pro camps in June.

For more information contact Head Football Coach Brian Dobie at 474-9627 or by e-mail at brian_dobie@umanitoba.ca