CEDAR CITY, Utah - Former Southern Utah defensive lineman Francis Bemiy has been drafted in the first round of the Canadian Football League Draft. Bemiy was drafted with the ninth overall pick by the British Columbia Lions. 

The outstanding defensive lineman from Montreal Canada was a five-year starter for the Thunderbirds. Bemiy started nearly every game in his time at SUU and was an anchor for the T-Bird defense. Over his career at Southern Utah Bemiy racked up 87 solo tackles. During his senior campaign, Bemiy totaled 26 tackles including three sacks and 13 tackles for a loss. Bemiy is a force on the defensive line whose presence demands that opposing offenses scheme away from him. 

For his work on the defensive line, Bemiy was named to the Bluebloods All-WAC First Team. Beimy was also named to the 2021 All-Big Sky First Defensive Team for his outstanding play in his junior season. During that junior year, Bemiy racked up 48 total tackles. Bemiy led the team in sacks (4) and tackles for loss (12.5) in 2021. He also recorded a season-high 11 tackles in an impressive effort against Tarleton State.

BC Tweets

Welcome to the Den, Francis Bemiy (@francisbemiyjr)! 

The D-lineman out of Southern Utah is our first-round pick in tonight's #CFLDraft 🙌🏽#BCLions | #RoarLikeNeverBefore | @SUUFB pic.twitter.com/dvm3NIp2Wx
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) May 3, 2023
 

Bemiy was excited to get the call from the Lions saying, "It means the world to me" 

A call he won't soon forget 🦁

First-Round pick @francisbemiyjr gets the news from @CoachRickyC 🏈#CFLDraft #BCLions #RoarLikeNeverBefore pic.twitter.com/2jaZTZpNms
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) May 3, 2023
 

Bemiy was ranked #10 overall by the CFL scouting bureau. The 6'3, 253-pound defensive lineman was described by many scouts as a top prospect entering the draft this year and had been projected to go as high as third overall. Francis is described by many as a quiet leader whose impact is in the example he sets. 

The CFL preseason is just a few short weeks away and the Lions will open the year on the road against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. You can follow the B.C. Lions on their website bclions.com or @BCLions on Twitter. 

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