Former New Westminster Hyack MVP Casey Chin is now a member of the B.C. Lions. The four-year Simon Fraser University starting linebacker was selected in the third round, 27th overall, by the Lions in the Canadian Football League draft on Tuesday.
“It’s definitely a little surreal, even a day after,” said Chin. “I was kind of at the point I was pretty sure I would be drafted, so I was happy to wait and go to B.C.”
Chin was one of five SFU players taken in the draft, including offensive lineman Matthias Goossen, who went second overall to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Defensive lineman Dylan Roper was drafted by B.C. in the sixth round. Tore Corrado also went in the sixth round to Toronto. Defensive back Derek Jones went to the Bombers in the fourth round.
Last season, Chin led the Great Northwest conference in tackles for a third straight season. He was also secondin 2013 in interception return yards.
During his four-year varsity career at SFU, Chin recorded 338 tackles and was named a conference all-star three times.
At the CFL Combines, where university seniors come to show prospective coaches their physical talents in a number of drills, Chin was the top linebacker in the bench press and shuttle run.
“It comes down to hard work. But I have to be better in my technique,” said the 5-10, 215-pound Chin.
“Ever since I was in high school people have said I had to get bigger. But I would rather be a good 215 (pounds) than a sloppy 230.”
In other CFL dealings, another former Hyack product, Cody Husband, a 6-7, 300-pound offensive lineman with the Hamilton Tiger Cats, was recently released by the club and is expected to sign with the Lions.
