Etienne wards off a Manitoba defender

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers surprised scouts on May 8 when they chose Huskies wide receiver Jade Etienne fourth overall in the Canadian Football League draft.

The 6-3, 184-pound 21-year-old from Deer Valley, Saskatchewan was chosen well before his prospected ranking, which, at its peak in December, was 15th according to CFL scouting. Leading up to the draft, he had fallen from the CFL’s top 15 prospects.

The pick did not come as a surprise for Etienne, however, as the Bombers and many other CFL teams had expressed interest in him.

“I had about four teams call me and tell me they were interested in me. Winnipeg just got the first chance,” he said. “I wasn’t sure exactly where I was going but I knew I was going pretty high.”

Etienne scored six touchdowns on 28 catches last season in only his third year of Canadian Interuniversity Sport eligibility. His longest receptions included 87-, 76- and 53-yard touchdowns.

“His speed was always a threat and I could always rely on him to chase down a ball or go up for a ball if I saw pressure and had to cut one loose,” said former Huskies quarterback Laurence Nixon, referring to Etienne’s ability to make big plays. “I respect the hell out of a guy who shows up every day and knows what he has to do to improve, and he definitely improved. He deserves it.”

Etienne led the Canada West in receiving yards per game by averaging 103 and was named a Canada West all-star and a CIS first-team all-Canadian.

“He certainly has all the tools to play as a pro and obviously he caught the attention of a lot of CFL teams with his speed and athletic abilities,” said Huskies head coach Brian Towriss. “Give him credit. He’s worked really hard and he’s a very talented player.”

“I’m really just taking it all in now and I can’t wait to get out there with the ball and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers,” said Etienne. “It’s a tough transition to just stop being a Rider fan, but I’m going to have to do it. It is a dream come true to have a shot at the CFL.”

Etienne said that if he is unable to crack the Bombers’ roster, he will come back to play for the Huskies. He would likely still be under contract with the Bombers.

“When he goes in the first round we don’t expect to get him back, but if we do it will be a good thing,” said Towriss.

Etienne is only the fourth Huskie athlete ever to be chosen in the first round of the CFL draft. Dylan Barker was selected first overall by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2008. Dan Farthing was selected second overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1991. And Nathan Hoffart was selected seventh overall in 2005 by the Roughriders.

Etienne was the only Huskies player drafted this year.

50 Huskies have been drafted to the CFL since 1985.

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