CFL.ca Staff

WINNIPEG -- St. Francis Xavier linebacker Henoc Muamba will be wearing Blue and Gold next season.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers selected him with the first pick in the 2011 CFL Canadian Draft. Muamba is the first player from St. Francis Xavier to be selected with the number one pick. It's also the first time since 1975 that the Blue Bombers have selected first overall in the draft.

Muamba's draft stock soared following an outstanding showing at the 2011 Evaluation Camp presented by Reebok. At E-Camp Muamba turned heads by leading the linebackers in every single testing category and impressing in the one-on-ones.

Last season Muamba won the 2010 President's Trophy as the top defensive player in the country, and was named a CIS first team All-Canadian after leading the AUS with 47 tackles, including 11 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks.

He is also following in the footsteps of his older brother, Cauchy, who was selected in the fifth round of the draft, 34th overall last year by the BC Lions.

The Bombers also held the fourth overall selection in the first round and used it to select University of Saskatchewan wide receiver Jade Etienne. Etienne enjoyed a breakout season in 2010 that saw him finish third in the CIS with 721 receiving yards on 28 receptions in just seven games – an average of 103 yards per contest – while adding six touchdowns.  He was named a first team All-Canadian for his efforts.  

After having no picks in the second round Winnipeg then chose Western Ontarion defensive lineman Brendan Dunn with the first pick in the third round(17th overall). Last season, Dunn was part of an offensive line at Western Ontario that helped lead the CIS in rushing yards per game (253.7). 

The Bombers rounded out their day by selecting Calgary Dinos OL Paul Swiston (24th overall), Central Michigan RB Carl Volny (32nd overall), and Concordia WR Liam Mahoney (41st overall).

“We’re very happy with how things turned out today,” said bombers head coach Paul LaPolice.  “We were able to get two high first round picks that we’re real excited about in Henoc and Jade and overall we feel as though all six of our draft picks have the potential to be quality football players.”