Friday night, college football fans waited with baited breath to see where the two top Canadians would land in the 2020 NFL Draft.
With the 49th overall pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Abbottsford, BC native Chase Claypool who SHIFTER’s Reuben Polansky had the opportunity to interview at the 2019 Camping World Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The 6 foot 4 in, 229 pound, Notre Dame wide receiver, touted for his size, was drafted earlier than most mock drafts had anticipated.
The opposite was true for Ottawa’s Neville Gallimore who was expected to be drafted late in the first round or early in the second round. He was eventually drafted late in the third round with the 82nd overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys.
The 6 foot 2 inch, 304 pound Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle, who ran the 40 yard dash in 4.79, was touted for his combination of size and athleticism. He is only the third 300-pounder to run the 40 yard dash that fast.
After becoming the top prospect coming out of Canada in 2015, and a red shirt season with the Sooners, he went on to being named honorable mention All-Big 12, and in his senior year he led his team to a Big 12 championship. Gallimore also topped the final Canadian Football League draft rankings.
Gallimore is the latest athlete from Canada’s capital to be drafted to a major sports league. He joins the NFL less than 12 months after fellow St. Patrick’s High School alumn, Marial Shayok, was drafted by the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.
