Jonathan Selected First Overall in CFL Global Draft

Kingsley Jonathan was taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the CFL’s Global Draft on Tuesday afternoon, just days after the star Orange defensive end was signed to the Buffalo Bills on a free agent contract.

Jonathan, a native of Nigeria, was taken by the Montreal Alouettes in the draft, which pools all non-Canadian or American born players into a separate draft. The other CFL draft for Canadian and American born players will be tonight.

If Jonathan elects to play in the CFL, he’d join Jamal Custis, Patrick Davis, and Jamar McGloster, who are currently on CFL rosters.

Jonathan has been an impressive player for the Orange both on and off the field. He concluded his collegiate career with over 100 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and three forced fumbles in his career, which featured multiple defensive schemes. Perhaps more impressive are his off the field accolades. The winner of the Jim Tatum Award as the Atlantic Coast Conference’s top senior student athlete, Jonathan has represented the league on the NCAA Autonomy Board and been a semifinalist for the Campbell and Wuerffel Trophies in his career. He was also a CoSIDA Academic All-American.

In addition to Jonathan, former Orange linebacker Tyrell Richards is projected as an early first round pick in the main CFL Draft this evening.

The Orange also had some recent NFL signings this week, with Jonathan signing with the Bills, McKinley Williams signing with the Colts and Josh Black earning training camp invites from both the Saints and Bears.

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