University of Toronto Varsity Blues running back Aaron Milton and receiver Alex Pierzchalski were selected by the Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders, respectively, in the second round of the 2014 CFL draft on Tuesday night.
 
Milton was taken 15th overall, Pierzchalski was selected 18th, while offensive lineman Aaron Wheaton was also chosen 28th overall by the Ottawa REDBLACKS and linebacker Christopher Johnson was taken 44th by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
 
It marks the third time in the past four seasons that a Varsity Blues player has been selected in the Canadian draft. Defensive back Hugo Lopez was drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos (14th overall) in 2011, while linebacker Wilkerson DeSouza was taken in the sixth round in 2012. The last time four Blues were chosen was 1987.
 
U of T, as well as Queen's and Western, led the OUA with four picks each in the 2014 draft.
 
Milton had a career-best season in 2013. The Whitby, Ont., native led the Blues and ranked fifth in the province with 603 rushing yards. He notched a career-high 171 yards on Sept. 27 versus Carleton, while also recording 140 yards, including a season-long 73-yard rush, versus Waterloo on Oct. 19.
 
Milton displayed his versatility in U of T's season opener at Laurier this season, completing one pass attempt on a running back option to Pierzchalski for a 20-yard touchdown.
 
"Aaron is coming off another great season with our football team," said Varsity Blues head coach Greg Gary. "He is a prototypical tailback whose skill set and good hands are built for the pros. With continued hard work and dedication, I think he has a bright future ahead of him and can't wait to see him develop even further."
 
In his rookie season, Milton tied the Varsity Blues record for longest rush with a 105-yard rushing touchdown versus the then No. 2 Ottawa Gee-Gees. That same year, he also punted nine times for 357 yards, an average of 39.7 yards per punt.
 
Pierzchalski notched a career-high 51 catches for 537 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns in 2013. He ended the season just seven catches shy of breaking Cory Kennedy's U of T record for most career receptions (153) and was named an OUA second team all-star for his efforts.
 
The London, Ont., native led the team in receptions in both 2011 and 2012 and recorded a career-high 147 receiving yards at Waterloo on Sept. 29, 2012. He has amassed 145 receptions for 1,617 yards and 13 touchdowns in 32 regular season games over the past four seasons.
 
"Alex is a complete receiver. He's got the size, agility and playmaking ability," said Gary. "His development over the past four years has put him in this position, where he now has a shot to be successful at the next level and further his football career. I believe he has skill and the tools to be a contributing factor in the CFL with the Roughriders."
 
A fourth-year veteran, Wheaton has been the glue to Toronto's offensive line for the last four seasons. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound lineman from Ajax, Ont., represented the Blues at the 2013 East West Bowl.
 
Wheaton becomes the fourth U of T offensive lineman since 1992 to go in the draft. He joins the likes of Chris Morris (1992), David Scandiffio (1993) and Jung-Yul Kim (1996) in the Varsity Blues record books.
 
Johnson had a breakout year in 2013. The Toronto native and product of Pickering H.S. ranked second on the team with 33.5 tackles, while also recording 3.5 sacks, three break ups, one fumble recovery and one interception for an 88-yard touchdown at York on Oct. 10. He recorded a season-high seven tackles versus Guelph and at York this past season.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter or Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.