with video: Eastern Michigan's Jabar Westerman is second overall pick in CFL Draft

By Rich Rezler Freelance Sports Reporter

Posted on Thu, May 3, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.

Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Jabar Westerman was selected by the British Columbia Lions with the second overall pick of Thursday's Canadian Football League draft.

Jabar Westerman

EMU athletics

According to the Vancouver Sun, the Lions traded up in the draft to select Westerman as a replacement for retired non-import defensive end Brent Johnson. CFL rules state that only 19 of each team's 39 non-quarterback roster spots can be "imports."

Wasterman -- a Brampton, Ontario native -- fits the non-import definition.

The Lions gave up their fourth, 14th and 38th overall picks in this year’s draft, for the Edmonton Eskimos' second and 20th overall picks.

Westerman (6-2, 285) made 26 tackles, six tackles-for-loss and four sacks in 2012 for EMU. He played in 23 games and made 17 starts for the Eagles after transferring to the program from Dodge City (Kansas) Junior College.

According to EMUEagles.com, Westerman is the ninth EMU player to be selected in the CFL draft and the highest selection. Offensive lineman Corey Annett (2002) and quarterback Mike Logan were taken with the third overall pick.