TORONTO, Ont. - From walk-on to CFL draft pick, Luke Brubacher's story just keeps getting better.
Laurier's standout defensive end from Listowel, Ont. who had never played football until the team's 2021 training camp, was the second selection of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Tuesday night's CFL Draft.Â
Picked in the second round and 16th overall, Brubacher was one of 13 student-athletes from OUA schools and 47 across U SPORTS chosen by CFL teams.
The 21st Golden Hawk to ever be selected by the Tiger-Cats in the CFL Draft was among eight picks the team made this year.
"We're thrilled that Luke is getting the opportunity to play close to home," said Laurier's manager of football operations and head coach Michael Faulds. "We know that Hamilton is getting the hardest-working player who is highly motivated to be the best."
In 27 career games with the purple and gold, the 6'5", 246-pound Brubacher recorded 61 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble. This past season, he was named an OUA second-team all-star.
That caught the eye of a Hamilton team that finished 8-10 in 2023, which was good for fourth in the CFL's East Division. They bowed out in the semi-finals to eventual Grey Cup champions Montreal.
Brubacher, who entered the CFL Draft as the 19th-ranked prospect, will attend the New York Jets' rookie mini-camp this coming weekend before potentially joining former Laurier teammate Patrick Burke Jr. in Steeltown.Â
Burke Jr. was selected by the Tiger-Cats last year and played in 14 games.
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