Braden Mitchel Schram is looking forward to heading to Hamilton.
The 6’5 offensive lineman from Manning was drafted over the weekend to play for the Tiger Cats.
Schram was the fourth pick during the second round of the 2017 CFL Draft on Sunday, May 7, 2017, making him 13th overall.
“I’m flying out (to Hamilton) on May 25th,” Schram told the AM 610 Sports Desk. “Once we land, we start spring camp, where I’ll hopefully make a roster spot.”
Schram, who played for the University of Calgary Dinos for several years, adds that he already knows of a few teammates who are already there.
“(Defensive Lineman) Connor McGough was already picked before I was on Sunday,” said Schram. “Also, (Running Back) Mercer Timmis is down there as well. So, I’m going to have a good friend base there already.”
Braden Schram. (Photo/UofC Dinos)
As well, Schram says that Hamilton is already a bit familiar to him.
“We went down there to play in the Vanier Cup this past year (against Laval),” he said. “They’ve got a beautiful stadium, they’ve got good turf, and it’s really top notch.”
Before entering the U of C, he graduated from Paul Rowe High School in Manning in 2011. And since they didn’t have a football program there, he ended up playing for the Peace River Pioneers during his high school days.
“A couple of teammates I’ve played with have already sent me congratulations,” he said. “They also used to play with Lynden (Gaydosh) as well.”
Gaydosh, from Peace River, also played for the Dinos before being drafted by the Ti-Cats in 2013. He then played for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers for one year before returning to Hamilton. Gaydosh was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last year.
“I’ve also had a conversation with Lynden about this process,” said Schram. “He just kind of gave me the rundown of what’s involved.”
As for his chances of making the roster, Schram says he’s pretty confident.
“The team doesn’t have a large variety of offensive linemen right now,” he said. “I think they usually start four Canadians. So, with this ratio going in, I’m pretty confident that this is a team I can crack really early on.”
Schram says that he’s now the third player from the Chris Friske era for the Peace River Pioneers that has made it to the CFL.
“It’s definitely a good sign for the players hailing from this region,” he said.
– Posted by BET
