Digging Into Recent Tiger-cats Picked In The Fifth Round

Hamilton holds picks 6, 29, 31, 40, 64, 67 in next week’s draft

The Tiger-Cats hold six selections in the upcoming Canadian Football League Draft, with picks in the first, fourth (2), fifth and eighth (2) rounds and if history is an indicator, the club is capable of getting talent with each of those selections.

Hamilton holds one fifth-round pick in Tuesday’s draft and the club has enjoyed success in that spot of the draft over the years. Currently, the club has two of it’s fifth round picks, Félix Garand-Gauthier and Jared Beeksma contributing to the squad and there’s been some other examples in recent history who have made an impact on the club, including Felix Faubert-Lussier, Justin Vaughn and Joe Bencze.

Garand-Gauthier was selected by the Tiger-Cats 37th overall in 2021 out of the University of Laval and has proved to be a very useful player in coach Condell’s offence. The 2018 Vanier Cup champion spent his first season behind starting fullback Nikola Kalinic but after he made the move south of the border, Garand-Gauthier took over as the starter in 2022. Despite playing at one of the more under-appreciated positions on the field, Garand-Gauthier was still able to make a statistical impact on the field, hauling in nine receptions for 190 yards, highlighted by a 44-yard reception against the Blue Bombers at Tim Hortons Field this past season.

Garand-Gauthier’s teammate, Jared Beeksma, was also selected in the fifth-round, 46th overall, in the 2022 CFL Draft and was able to contribute to the club during his rookie season, registering five total tackles, including four special teams tackles in six appearances last season.

In earlier years, the Tiger-Cats also found contributors in the fifth round, including Hamilton native Justin Vaughn, McMaster alum Joe Bencze and three-time Vanier Cup champion Felix Faubert-Lussier. The fifth-round trio combined for 52 games played in black & gold, with Faubert-Lussier leading the way with 27 games played, totalling 14 receptions for 103 yards. Vaughn suited up in 25 games, registering 15 tackles and two sacks while Joe Bencze checked-in to one game in the 2021 season.

The 2023 CFL Draft kicks off on Monday, May 2 at 8 p.m. and can be livestreamed here.