'I just blacked out': Windsor's Devin Veresuk reacts to 2nd overall selection by Tiger-Cats
The 240-pound linebacker says he 'definitely' wasn't expecting to be picked that high
Devin Veresuk says he was at his Windsor, Ont., home with family and friends when his phone rang on Tuesday.
It was the Hamilton Tiger-Cats informing him he was being selected with the second overall pick in the 2025 CFL draft.
"My heart sank and I'm like 'no way.' I picked it up — I was a little nervous and I don't even know… I just blacked out. I was just so excited," said Veresuk.
The six-foot-two, 240-pound linebacker says he wasn't expecting to be selected that high.
"But I'm definitely not mad about it at all," he joked.
"I kind of thought anywhere from rounds one to three from what my agent was saying. Hamilton did...give me the best kind of like vibes … when I had my interview with them."
Despite having interest from elsewhere coming out of Holy Names Catholic High School in his hometown, Veresuk chose to stay local and attend the University of Windsor.
"The defence wasn't too hot prior and then we ended up turning around and we were one of the best in the league, so definitely happy about it."
Before heading to Hamilton's camp in May, Veresuk will attend a NFL minicamp with the Indianapolis Colts.
He says interest from teams began to ramp up recently after running a fast 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds at a Buffalo , N.Y., combine.
"I remember growing up I was always one of the fastest kids in grade school. I've been trained for so long and it's just like built into me. I enjoy running, I enjoy sprinting. I think it's fun."
The Tiger-Cats' X (formerly known as Twitter) account posted a video of their defensive coordinator calling Veresuk to welcome him to the team.
"I didn't realize they were gonna be recording it, so I like kinda let some bad words fly and I probably shouldn't have."
The 23-year-old will be moving away from home for the first time this year no matter where his football career goes.
"I think at the end of the day, I'm ready for it. I think I'm mature enough to get out of the house and I'm honestly excited to... go be on my own for a bit."
Veresuk says he's two semesters away from graduating at the University of Windsor, where he's studied mechanical engineering — and hopes to chip away at his degree in the off season over the next few years.
"I need to get it. I've put three years into it and I don't plan on letting it go to waste."