There was a proud moment for University of Saskatchewan football head coach Brian Towriss on Thursday.

He watched as the Saskatchewan Roughriders took offensive lineman Ben Heenan with the first overall pick in the CFL draft.

Heenan starred in his four years with the Huskies and Towriss said it's a credit to his ability and work ethic.

"He's done everything right since he got to the U of S," said Towriss.

"He's a perfect gentleman. He's one of our more popular guys in the locker room. He's such a quality individual and he's going to have a great CFL career for sure."

Heenan was emotional talking about being that number pick and what an honour it is.

It's also an emotional time for Towriss seeing a player he helped groom drafted first overall.

"It's a dream come true for a Saskatchewan kid to be taken by the Riders and it's no different for Ben," said Towriss. "He's extremely happy and we're proud of him."

Towriss said the Riders can expect a lot from their new draft.

"I think he's a guy that's pretty close to being game ready for the CFL," said Towriss.

"He's going to have to adapt a little bit to the speed of the pros as opposed to college. Certainly his strength is there and he played so well in the East/West Shrine game against all the NCAA division one players that I expect him to step in and have a quick learning curve."

Heenan joins the likes of Gene Makowsky and Dan Farthing as Saskatchewan boys and Huskies to be drafted by the Riders.

See related: Roughriders pick Ben Heenan for CFL draft

jblackwell@rawlco.com

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