By Scott Roblin

“A complete shock”; McGough shares thoughts on 4th overall CFL Draft selection

May 7, 2017 | 5:39 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The road to the CFL began today for Medicine Hat’s Connor McGough, as he was selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2017 CFL Draft.

Hamilton selected the defensive lineman with the fourth overall pick in the first round on Sunday.

The four-year University of Calgary Dinos player says being taken that early in the draft came as a complete shock.

“There was some thought it could have happened with Hamilton at fourth there, you just never know,” said McGough. “It was very exciting to hear my name called that early. I was speachless, I couldn’t really react to it… I was just so stunned.”

McGough played his high school football for the Crescent Heights High Vikings, winning both the Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

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A senior with the University of Calgary Dinos, McGough was named to the Canada West All-Star team for the second time in his career last year.

In 10 games with the Dinos, the local product ranked fifth on the team with 31 tackles and also posted four sacks.

But as impressive his season was at the CIS level, McGough agrees his performance at the CFL Combine in March really put him on the map. The 6’0″, 247-pound Hatter topped all DL`s in the 40-meter sprint with a time of 4.736 seconds.

“I think the main reason would be more so the (game) film from the season,” he added. “But the combine, for sure, I think played a big role in it. Athletes under pressure are facing the top athletes in the country. You have to perform on that day.”

McGough has also accepted an offer from the NFL’s New York Giants in attending their mini-camp later this month.

Fellow Medicine Hat native Anthony Anderson is also eligible for this year’s draft, after spending last year without a team following a hamstring injury before the 2016 CFL Draft Combine.

Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman Dan Federkeil and Hamilton Tiger-Cats long snapper Aaron Crawford are the only Medicine Hat natives in the CFL following the retirement of former Edmonton Eskimo Nate Coehoorn.

McGough now becomes the highest selected Medicine Hat native in CFL history, as Coehoorn was picked fifth overall in 2011.