Riley Pickett (born October 5, 1997) is a Canadian professional football fullback and long snapper for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
| No. 45 BC Lions | |
.jpg) Pickett with the BC Lions in 2023 | |
| Born: | October 5, 1997 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Fullback Long snapper |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) |
| Weight | 250 lb (110 kg) |
| University | Saskatchewan Huskies |
| CJFL | Saskatoon Hilltops |
| High school | Centennial Collegiate |
| CFL draft | 2022, round: 5, pick: 41 |
| Drafted by | BC Lions |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2022–present | BC Lions |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career stats | |
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Junior career
editPickett played for the Saskatoon Hilltops of the Canadian Junior Football League from 2015 to 2017.[1] He won a Canadian Bowl championship in each of his three seasons with the Hilltops and was named the Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2017.[1][2] He played in 29 games where he recorded 38 tackles, 24 assisted tackles, 16 special teams tackles, 15 sacks, 1 punt block, and two forced fumbles.[1]
University career
editPickett later joined the Saskatchewan Huskies of U Sports football and played for the team from 2018 to 2021.[2][3] He played in 21 games where he had 58.5 total tackles, 11 sacks, 16 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.[2] He won two Hardy Cup championships with the Huskies, in 2018 and 2021.
Professional career
editPickett was drafted in the fifth round, 41st overall, by the BC Lions in the 2022 CFL Draft and signed with the team on May 11, 2022.[4] He played in ten games in 2022, where he had one defensive tackle and two special teams tackles.[3]
During his 2022 exit interview with the team's co-general manager, Neil McEvoy, it was suggested that Pickett practice long snapping, since there was an opportunity at the position in the following season.[5] Having never played the position, he practiced in the off-season with Saskatchewan Roughriders long snapper, Jorgen Hus, and eventually won the job following training camp.[5] He played in all 18 regular season games in 2023 as the team's long snapper and also recorded seven special teams tackles.[6]
During training camp in 2024, Pickett was in competition for the long snapper position with Kyle Nelson.[7] Nelson became the long snapper for punts while Pickett retained the job for field goals.[7] Pickett also learned to play fullback and switched to the offense after playing as a defensive lineman.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Riley Pickett". Canadian Junior Football League. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Riley Pickett". Saskatchewan Huskies. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ a b "Riley Pickett". BC Lions. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ "Lions Sign Seven Members Of 2022 CFL Draft Class". BC Lions. May 11, 2022.
- ^ a b "Life of a long snapper | Pickett excels in new role". BC Lions. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ "Game Notes" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Three Saskatchewan-Lions share their early-season battle with adversities". BC Lions. July 12, 2024.
External links
edit- BC Lions bio
Media related to Riley Pickett at Wikimedia Commons
