Have you Herd: Manitoba's Anthony Coombs selected #3 overall in 2014 CFL Draft, one of five Bisons picked

Canada West Universities Athletic Association

With files from University of Manitoba Bisons & Calgary Dinos

EDMONTON - Five guys with pride... University of Manitoba Bisons Anthony Coombs, Evan Gill, Thomas Miles, Andrew Smith and Nick Boyd heard their names called.

Manitoba Bisons RB Anthony Coombs became the first Canada West player chosen in the 2014 Canadian Football League Draft on Tuesday night, picked #3 by the Toronto Argonauts.

Bisons teammate, DL Evan Gill, just made the cut in the first round as he was taken 9th overall.

Overall, 11 Canada West names went up on the board; 14 were selected in 2013.

Fifth all-time in scoring with 294 points, standout kicker Johnny Mark of the six-time defending Canada West champion Calgary Dinos was drafted at #20 by the Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders. Mark, a Peterborough, Ont. native, will join former teammate Sam Hurl. The second-leading point scorer in school history in just three seasons, Mark has kicked 54 field goals in his CIS career and has never missed a convert, going a perfect 115-115.

Mark went 15-for-17 in field goals and a perfect 40-40 in converts during the 2013 season, helping the Dinos to their first-ever 8-0 record. He also averaged a career-high 41.9 yards on 62 punts during the year en route to his selection a first team All-Canadian.

"I was really excited," Mark told AM770's Sports Talk Monday night. "I didn't expect to go to Saskatchewan, but I'm really happy with the placement and I just hope everybody in Calgary doesn't hate me too much!

"I'm going to try my best and compete," he said of his chances with the Roughriders. "Chris Milo is a great kicker there, but there is a punting position open, and that's what I'm going to aim for."

Next was 290-pound UBC Thunderbirds guard Jas Dhillon, #21 (third in Round 3) by Toronto. Dhillon was a Canada West All-Star and CIS First Team All-Canadian in 2013.

Two more members from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg product Thomas Miles, a linebacker, was picked at #33 by Toronto, followed two selections later by fifth-year WR Andrew Smith. In the fifth round, graduated Manitoba kicker Nick Boyd went to the Montreal Alouettes.

Regina Rams third-year OL Kyle Paterson of Weyburn, SK, was the final choice in Round 5 by the Roughriders. Port Coquitlam native Steve Mawa, a UBC defensive lineman, went to Hamilton in Round 6, while Round 7 pick, DL Michael Dadzie of Regina, is now property of the Edmonton Eskimos. Montreal's final draft choice in 2014 was RB Mac Sarro of the Dinos.

In four seasons with the Bisons (2010-13), Coombs has 29 touchdowns, 2,232 rushing yards for a 7.52 average, 51 receptions for 840 yards, 51 punt returns for 563 yards and 11 kickoff runbacks for 192 yards. With lightning speed, highlights include a conference record 107-yard run during 2013, a 98-yard punt return touchdown in 2012 and a 90-yard reception 2011.

Coombs is tied for seventh all-time in Canada West touchdowns (29) and ranks No. 1 all-time in rushing avergae (7.52) among players with at least 1,500 yards. He scored four rushing TDs while rambling for 226 yards in a game vs. Alberta on October 15, 2011. His 90-yard catch-and-run ranks as the second longest all-time in U of M history.

"So excited and thankful for this opportunity!!", said Coombs via Twitter.