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Riley Pickett

Riley Pickett
No. 45     BC Lions
Pickett with the BC Lions in 2023
Born: (1997-10-05) October 5, 1997 (age 27)
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusNational
Position(s)Fullback
Long snapper
Height5 ft 2 in (157 cm)
Weight250 lb (110 kg)
UniversitySaskatchewan Huskies
CJFLSaskatoon Hilltops
High schoolCentennial Collegiate
CFL draft2022, round: 5, pick: 41
Drafted byBC Lions
Career history
As player
2022–presentBC Lions
Career highlights and awards
Career stats

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).

Junior career

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Pickett 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

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Pickett 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

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Pickett 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

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  1. ^ a b c "Riley Pickett". Canadian Junior Football League. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Riley Pickett". Saskatchewan Huskies. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Riley Pickett". BC Lions. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  4. ^ "Lions Sign Seven Members Of 2022 CFL Draft Class". BC Lions. May 11, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Life of a long snapper | Pickett excels in new role". BC Lions. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "Game Notes" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Three Saskatchewan-Lions share their early-season battle with adversities". BC Lions. July 12, 2024.
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