Story courtesy of Eastern Michigan Sports Information
TORONTO, Ontario (EMUEagles.com) – Former Eastern Michigan University football player
Steven Nielsen (Dragoer, Denmark-La Lumiere (Ind.) School) was selected the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 Canadian Football League Global Draft Thursday, April 15.
The
Dragoer, Denmark native went to Edmonton Football Team (formerly known as the Edmonton Eskimos) to become the third EMU player to be taken second overall in the CFL Draft. He joins defensive end
Andy Mulumba (2013 - Winnipeg) and defensive lineman
Jabar Westerman (2012 - BC Lions) in the elite group.
Since 1973, Eastern Michigan has had 19 players taken in the CFL Draft, including eight first round selections.
A 2019 First Team Preseason All-MAC preseason pick from both
Athlon Sports and
Phil Steele's College Football Preview, Nielsen started all 13 games for the Green and White on the offensive line in 2019. His unit was responsible for a regular season in which the EMU offense racked up 25 touchdown passes, an all-time school record, 3,370 yards of passing offense, second in school history, and 349 total points, which ranks fourth in EMU history.
Overall, Nielsen played in 49 games in his Eagle career, and helped Eastern reach three postseason bowl games (Bahamas - 2016, Camellia - 2018, Quick Lane - 2019), as well as three consecutive wins over Power Five opponents (Rutgers - 2017, Purdue - 2018, Illinois - 2019). He received Third Team All-MAC honors following the 2018 season.
From the college ranks, Nielsen spent some time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, signing as an undrafted free agent in late April, 2020. While the team cut him a few months later in August, the fire was lit for Nielsens' desire to have a pro career.
The 2021 CFL Global Draft is taking place on April 15, 2021, and is the first CFL Draft that pools all of the global players together after previously having separate drafts for Mexican players and European players in 2019. A total of 36 players will be chosen from among eligible players following a virtual CFL Combine. The order of the draft was determined by random lottery, similar to the system used for the 2021 CFL Draft.
For the 2021 CFL season, teams are required to keep two global players on the active roster and up to three on the practice roster. Global players are required to sign their first contracts for a length of two years plus a one-year club option.
Canadian Football League Draft Choices
Rd Overall Player Pos Year Team
1 2 Steven Nielsen OL 2021 Edmonton
5 41 Campbell Allison OL 2015 BC Lions
1 2 Andy
Mulumba DE 2013 Winnipeg
1 4 Corey Watman OL 2013 Saskatchewan
3 27 Kalonji Kashama DE 2013 Ottawa
1 2 Jabar Westerman DL 2012 BC Lions
1 7 Eric Deslauriers WR 2006 Montreal
3 21 Matt Kudu DL 2005 Saskatchewan
4 30 Jean-Olivier Gagnon-Gordillo DL 2005 Saskatchewan
1 3 Corey Annett OL 2002 Toronto
3 22 Frank Rocca OL 1997 Calgary
7 57 Gerald Lewis LB 1996 Winnipeg
3 23 Bobby Pandelidis OT/OG 1992 Calgary
4 29 Mitch Brown RB 1991 Toronto
2 16 Branko Vincic DE/DT 1988 Edmonton
6 42 Darrell Harle OT 1988 Saskatchewan
1 5 Matt Finlay LB 1986 Montreal
1 3 Mike Logan QB 1973 Calgary
8 64 Doug Keene TB 1973 Edmonton
