MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois University junior Mike McEachern (Calgary, Alberta/Western Canada) was selected as the 22nd overall pick in the Canadian Football League Draft, chosen sixth in the third round by the BC Lions.
The Canadian Draft consisted of six rounds comprised of eight picks each. The Lions held eight picks in this year's draft and selected McEachern with their fifth pick. He was the fifth linebacker taken overall.
"I expected to go where my dad went," said McEachern, whose father Ken is a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders Hall of Fame. "I grew up in Saskatchewan and hadn't heard from BC at all. But words can't describe how excited I am to go to BC. This is something I have strived for my entire life and to finally have it happen is a big relief. I have had a lot of trouble sleeping for the past two weeks."
McEachern will return to the Leathernecks for his senior season and to complete his degree in pre-medicine. Having redshirted as a true freshman, he was eligible for this year's draft, but CFL teams could not contact him due to his remaining NCAA eligibility. He is designated to report to the Lions once his final collegiate season is over.
"I had to watch the draft on-line just like everyone else did," McEachern said. "I had a test today and I have no idea how I did or what I wrote. My head was definitely somewhere else."
"I wanted to return to Western Illinois next year for a couple reasons. First, I wanted to finish my education, but also, we have some really good players and really good coaches returning this fall and we have a chance to make a difference. I didn't want to miss out on those two opportunities. Also, I feel like I'm still a little undersized and under-developed for a successful professional career, so an extra year in college will benefit me in that aspect."
McEachern has filled in at linebacker for the past two seasons but is expected to start at strong safety this fall, a position he will possibly hold with the Lions. He started seven times and appeared in all 11 games last season, ranking fourth on the team with 59 total tackles and four tackles for loss. McEachern was one of just three linebackers named to the NCAA All-Canada Team by NFL Canada at the end of the 2007 season.
During his three-year career, McEachern has tallied 74 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick in 23 games.
McEachern's father was an 11-year defensive back in the CFL, playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 10 years (1974-82, 1984) and the Toronto Argonauts for one year (1983). He was a 1980 and 1981 CFL all-star, and helped the Argonauts win the 1983 Grey Cup.
"This is a dream come true," said Mike McEachern. "I grew up hearing all about my father's career and trying to replicate him. It's going to be tough work because those are some big shoes to fill, but I'm so excited about the opportunity to try."
"This is a true credit to Mike that he has been identified as one of the top college football players coming out of Canada," said Western Illinois head coach Don Patterson. "We are fortunate that he has one more year with us, and after that I suspect he will have a very long and productive career in the CFL."
