Argos sign first-round pick Sean McEwen through 2018

Larry Tanenbaum, right, MLSE chairman, walks on to BMO Field following a press conference in Toronto. (Darren Calabrese/CP)

TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts signed centre Sean McEwen, their 2015 first-round draft pick, through the 2018 season Friday.

The six-foot-three 297-pound McEwen played collegiately at the University of Calgary, helping the Dinos to three straight Hardy Cup titles. Toronto selected the Calgary native third overall in last year’s draft but he elected to return to school last fall.

"Sean is an athletic, smart and tough young player that has a passion for the game," Argos general manager Jim Barker said in a statement. "He possesses the skills of a true centre, which is not easy to find.

"When we drafted him we understood he wanted to return to school to finish his degree, and we’re excited to finally have him in Double Blue."

A three-time CIS All-Canadian, McEwen attended rookie mini-camp with NFL’s New York Giants in 2015 and was one of three Canadians who participated in the 2016 East-West Shrine game.

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