Revenberg opens up about selection at third overall

Lucas Barrett (CFL) – Hello everybody, welcome to the CFL Draft Conference call. Today we have the top three selections from tonight’s draft, Josiah St-John, Philippe Gagnon as well as Brandon Revenberg. I’m just going to ask the top three picks to open up with initial reactions to being drafted tonight, and then following that we will open up the Q & A.
Brandon Revenberg – I got a phone call a little bit before my pick was up, assuming it was the BC Lions, and it was from Hamilton. It was Coach Kent Austin and he told me how he traded up for me and how I was going to be a Tiger-Cat. So I mean, I was overwhelmed, I am ecstatic, I couldn’t be happier with the choice.
Convener – Our first question is from Dan Ralph of the Canadian Press.
Dan Ralph (Canadian Press) – Mr. Revenberg, your rise up the ranks was very meteoric. Have you had a chance to sort of pinch yourself, figure out how this all happened so quickly?
Brandon Revenberg – Well I knew coming from a Division II school that I wasn’t all that well known, especially not even playing in the CIS. I think the big thing for me was just kind of getting my name out there. I had a couple of scouts visit me; Hamilton, Drew [Allemang] was one of them. And then from there on just kind of visiting different teams and showing what I can do, and then them watching the film on me.
Convener – The next question is from Kirk Penton from the Winnipeg Sun.
Kirk Penton (Winnipeg Sun) – Brandon, where did you think you were going to go, considering that you weren’t even on the top 20 list that came out last month?
Brandon Revenberg – Honestly, I was kind of clueless going into it. I knew a couple of teams liked me a lot. I kind of have the feeling that I may have gotten to a couple of them, but as for who was actually going to pick me, it was up in the air because I have talked to so many different teams. They are all great, but I couldn’t be happier with the choice of going to Hamilton.
Convener – The next question will come from Terry Koshan from the Toronto Sun.
Terry Koshan (Toronto Sun) – Brandon, I realize that you played everywhere along the line at Grand Valley State. I was just wondering what your expectations are coming into the Tiger-Cats, and if you see yourself a better fit [in some positions] than perhaps other spots.
Brandon Revenberg – I am just going to go in there with an open mind. I am not 100 percent sure which position they see me playing. So I am just going to be open to options there, I mean like you’ve mentioned I have played every position on the offensive line. So wherever they see me fit is where I will play.
Terry Koshan – Just a follow-up to that. Brandon, the idea of coming to an organization now that has been close (to a Grey Cup) for several years and of course playing in the new stadium and that sort of thing, I’m sure you have an idea of what the support here is like in Hamilton maybe just comment on that and on being a part of it.
Brandon Revenberg – As soon as I found out that they traded up and picked me third overall, I was ecstatic. I know my family is super excited, being from Windsor. Were less than about four hours away, so everyone is really happy that it’s more local than anything. I know my fiancée was super excited I would be close to home as well. I couldn’t be happier.