Arthur taken in first round

By MARC LALONDE

marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca

The Calgary Stampeders made West Islanders very proud when they selected University of Akron wide receiver Jabari Arthur in the first round (sixth overall) of yesterday's CFL Canadian College Draft.

Arthur, a Dollard des Ormeaux native, was the Stamps' second choice of the first round.

The former midget AAA North Shore Mustangs and Cegep AAA Vanier College quarterback, who converted to wide receiver at Akron, can, and is expected to, return to the college for his senior year.

Arthur is a 6'4, 224-pound wide receiver who set a record for most yards receiving in the 2006 Motor City Bowl. He also won provincial championships with the Mustangs and the bantam AAA North Shore Lions.

Arthur is described by Stampeders' GM Jim Barker as a "can't-miss guy" in the CFL.

Fellow Vanier product Kevin Challenger, a wide receiver from Boston College, was taken two picks later, also by the Stampeders.

Former Vanier linebacker Jason Nedd – also an Akron product - was also selected, as the Edmonton Eskimos' second pick (10th overall)