Five Manitoba Bison football players were selected in the 2008 Canadian Football League (CFL) Canadian College Draft on April 30. Fourth year DL Justin Shaw, third year DL Justin Cooper, fourth year WR Terry Firr, fourth year DB Brady Browne and third year DL Don Oramasionwu. The 2007 Vanier Cup Champion Manitoba Bisons had the most players selected by any one school during the 2008 CFL Draft.
 
In the CFL Draft, Manitoba have accounted for the most players drafted by a school in the 2000s (over the last nine years) with 25. The Bisons have had players selected in eight of the last nine CFL Drafts: 2000 (2), 2001 (2), 2002 (7), 2003 (3), 2005 (3), 2006 (1), 2007 (2) and 2008 (5).

The BC Lions selected Justin Shaw in the 3rd round (18th overall). Shaw, 25, is a defensive lineman and finished a strong 2007 season. He played in seven of eight regular season games and registered 16 tackles with four for losses of ten yards. The Victoria, BC native had one sack and one fumble recovery. In four playoffs games in 2007, he had 12 tackles and led the team with eight tackles for losses of 62 yards. He also led the Bisons with seven sacks for 60 yards and one forced fumble. In his four year Bisons career, he holds Bison record for most fumbles recovered in a career with nine; tied for sixth in Bison history for sacks in a career with 15; 2006 Canada West Conference All-Star and finished third in Canada West Conference with six sacks in 2006 (4th in CIS)

The Edmonton Eskimos selected Justin Cooper in the 3rd round (23rd overall). Cooper, 25, is a defensive lineman and had an award-winning 2007 season. In 2007, Cooper earned CIS All-Canadian First Team status for the first time in his career. The Red Deer, AB native had an outstanding season in 2007 as he was named Canada West Outstanding Lineman of the Year and a conference all-star. Cooper was second in Canada West with seven sacks (fourth in CIS) and tied for second in conference with ten tackles for losses. The third year defensive lineman had 34 tackles during eight regular season games, which was fourth most on the team, and was tied for second most for Canada West ends/lineman. The seven sacks totaled 53 yards and he had two breakups. In four playoffs games in 2007, he was second on team with 21 tackles (five for losses of 16 yards) with three sacks, two breakups and one forced fumble.

In addition, Cooper in only his third season with Manitoba, is tied for fourth in Bison history for sacks in a career with 16; shares Bison record for most tackles in a game with 11; 2006 Canada West Conference All-Star and 2007 East-West Bowl Defensive MVP - 3 solo tackles, 7 assisted tackles, 1/2 sack, 1 fumble recovery.

The Montreal Alouettes selected Terry Firr in the 4th round (28th overall). Firr, 26, is a wide receiver and had another solid 2007 season. In 2007, Firr was second on the team and ninth in conference with 427 receiving yards. The Windsor, ON native was second on the team and tied for tenth with 30 receptions in seven regular season games. Firr added one receiving TD. In four playoffs games in 2007, he led the Bisons in three categories with 13 receptions for 246 yards and three receiving TDs. In his four year Bisons career, he is tied for third in Bison history for receiving TDs in a career with 11; ranked fifth in Bison record for receiving yards in a career with 1685 and fourth in Bison history for receptions in a career with 124 plus named a 2006 and 2005 Canada West Conference All-Star.

The BC Lions selected Brady Browne in the 5th round (38th overall). Browne, 25, is a defensive back and had a breakout 2007 season. In 2007, Browne earned CIS All-Canadian Second Team status for the first time in his career. The Maple Ridge, BC native was a Canada West All-Star for the first time in his career. Browne was sixth on team with 24 tackles and tied for second in Canada West with six breakups plus two interceptions. In four playoffs games in 2007, he was sixth on the team with 17 tackles plus two interceptions, one breakup and two fumble recoveries. In addition, he had one TD on a block punt return. In his four year Bisons career, he was a Canada West Defensive Player of the Week (09/05/06 @ Regina - 4 tackles, 1 tackles for a loss, 1 blocked kick); had 29 tackles for third best on Bisons in 2006 Canada West regular season and tied for the conference lead with three forced fumbles in 2006.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers selected Don Oramasionwu in the 5th round (39th overall). Oramasionwu, 21, is a defensive lineman and had his first season as a starter with Manitoba in the 2007 season. In 2007, Oramasionwu played in all eight regular season games as a Bison starter. The Winnipeg native was tied for sixth on the team with 23 tackles with three tackles for losses of 22 yards. He also added two sacks. In four playoffs games in 2007, he had seven tackles (two for losses) and had one sack. In his three season with the Bisons, he had four tackles in limited action in four regular season games in 2006 and played in one of two post-season games and registered one tackle in 2006 playoffs; 2005-06 Academic All-Canadian; registered one tackle for 18 yard loss in one regular season game in 2005 and red-shirted in his first year in 2004. Oramasionwu also posted 21 tackles and four sacks with Kelvin Clippers in 2003.

Bison Football head coach Brian Dobie stated, “It is always impressive when so many of our players have been selected by CFL teams, especially coming after the recent success at last year's Vanier. I am proud and congratulate all five players. This reflects a strong commitment we have to develop and prepare our players to gain opportunities at the next stage of their career.”

The five Bisons selected in a CFL Draft is the third most total in team history, behind eight players picked in 1971 and seven players in 2002.