Varsity Blues defensive back Hugo Lopez was selected by the Edmonton Eskimos in the second round of the 2011 CFL draft on Sunday, May 8. 

The Eskimos traded the playing rights to non-import defensive lineman Brian Bulcke to Calgary in exchange for the Stampeders’ second round selection (14th overall).

“I’ve been working towards this my whole life. It’s a dream come true,” said Lopez. “They seem like great people, I love the atmosphere portrayed by their coaches and players.”

Lopez joined the Varsity Blues after word that the Waterloo Warriors would not participate in the 2010 OUA football season. The Newmarket, Ont., native made 22 tackles and one interception in eight games played in 2010, and helped the Blues upset the then No. 2 Ottawa Gee-Gees at home - U of T's first win over a nationally-ranked opponent since defeating Waterloo 21-15 on Sept. 19, 1997.

A fourth-year defensive back, Lopez was among 45 of the Canada's top football prospects that underwent a series of testing for the CFL scouts at the 2011 E-Camp, March 4-6, at Varsity Centre.

He ranked third overall and led all defensive backs in the broad jump with a jump of 10 feet, six inches. He led all DBs and finished fifth overall in the vertical jump (40 inches), while also recording an impressive results in the bench press, ranking sixth among defensive backs with 13 repetitions.

Lopez also finished fourth overall in the shuttle run with a time of 4.10 seconds and ranked sixth among defensive backs in both the 3-cone drill (7.00) and 40-yard dash (4.65).

Hugo's Profile