At the start of the day, the Ottawa RedBlacks had the first overall choice in the CFL Draft and an unhappy backup quarterback on their roster.

Then came the fireworks.

Within the first half hour of Tuesday night's draft, the RedBlacks had landed an all-star with a big beard and had dumped their disgruntled quarterback to draft a defensive back they believe can be an impact player.

If nothing else, in their “war room” on the 13th floor of the Courtyard Marriott East in Ottawa, the RedBlacks made a bold entrance into the team's first season in the CFL.

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CFL DRAFT LIVE BLOG: Scroll down below the story for the latest updates.



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The RedBlacks dealt retired centre Marwan Hage (if the gets dealt elsewhere the RedBlacks will get a conditional pick) and their No. 1 overall choice to Calgary, which selected Laval centre Pierre Lavertu. In return, the RedBlacks got awesomely bearded 28-year-old offensive lineman Jon Gott, a five-year CFL veteran who was a West division all-star last season.

“We're extremely happy,” said Desjardins. “(Gott) is a player had he been in this draft is a player we would have taken hands down. He's familiar with our coaching staff and the systems we're going to run. We didn't hesitate when that opportunity came along. He's going to be the quarterback of the offensive line.”

The RedBlacks sealed the Gott deal on Monday, but waited until Tuesday to announce it. Gott had been living in Ottawa with his girlfriend Nicole since December. He was packed and ready to depart for Calgary Tuesday night before getting a call from the RedBlacks earlier in the day.

“It's awesome to be part of this,” he said. “I was totally surprised. I was driving back (Tuesday). My girlfriend works here. I'm living here because of that.”

“Now I'm stuck here,” he said with a laugh.

Gott is excited to begin the next stage of his career in Ottawa.

“I wouldn't call it an expansion team, it's just another team to play for,” he said. “I'm real excited to play for the RedBlacks.

After announcing the Gott blockbuster, the RedBlacks dealt QB Kevin Glenn to the B.C. Lions for the fifth overall selection, which they turned into the fourth overall pick, which they used to pick Montreal Carabins defensive back Antoine Pruneau.

“Antoine's a rare physical specimen for a Canadian player,” said Desjardins. “He's 6-foot, 200 lbs, he runs very well, he's physical ... he's going to bring a lot of options to what we want to do defensively.”

So why move up one position, from five to four, at the expense of swapping second-round picks with Montreal (10th overall for 13th, which Ottawa used to take Queen's receiver Scott MacDonnell)?

“We didn't want to take a chance,” said Desjardins. “That's how highly we regarded him.”

Pruneau said it was “a good surprise” to be drafted by Ottawa.

“I was so happy, it's hard to describe,” he said. “I'm really proud. Canadian players mostly play safety, but I'm ready for any challenge. I've played SAM 'backer, corner, halfback ... maybe that's the reason they picked me.”

Glenn, a no-show at last month's mini camp in Richmond, Va.​ had been unhappy since the RedBlacks signed Henry Burris to be their starting QB.

“We had been talking to B.C. for awhile,” said Desjardins. “As push came to shove, as the 11th hour came along, they basically decided it was time to put their best foot forward. It was something we were very happy to do.”

As training camp nears, there could be an interesting competition in RedBlackland: Best beard. Gott figures he's got the edge.

“My only competition is Justin Phillips and I've got him pretty good,” he said.

RedBlacks selections: Ottawa had three picks in seventh round

1. Antoine Pruneau, DB, Montreal

2. Scott MacDonell, WR, Queen's

3. Nigel Romick, DL, St. Mary's

4. Aaron Wheaton, OL, Toronto

5. Hugo Desmarais, OL, Laval

6. Stephon Miller, DL, Windsor

7. Vincent Desloges, DL, Laval​

7. Alexandre Bernard, LB, McGill

7. Kevin Malcolm, LS, McMaster

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