Former Dino Oduwole cracks Blue Bombers’ roster

WINNIPEG Former University of Calgary Dinos defensive lineman Deji Oduwole survived the final round of cuts at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ 2010 training camp Thursday and was named to the 46-man roster for the team’s Canadian Football League season.

CFL teams had until Thursday afternoon to pare down their rosters to the maximum 46 players in advance of the Canada Day season openers.

After signing as a free agent with Winnipeg in late March, Oduwole attended his first CFL training camp in Winnipeg and impressed the Bombers’ coaching staff enough to keep him on the roster as opening day approaches, especially with his work on special teams.

“Being a Bomber means that I’ve reached the first part of my dream,” said Oduwole Friday from Winnipeg. “I still have a lot of work to do, but right now it’s great to be doing something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid: play professional football.”

A six-foot-two, 250-pound native of Coquitlam, B.C., Oduwole was a mainstay on the Dinos’ defensive line for the past three seasons.

After transferring from Saint Mary’s University and sitting out the 2006 season, Oduwole joined the Dinos in 2007. He started all eight games at defensive end in 2008, recording 31 tackles and a team-leading five sacks and earning a Canada West all-star nod as the Dinos captured their first conference title since 1995.

He was named one of the top 15 draft-eligible players in CIS football leading into the 2009 CFL draft but went unclaimed on Draft Day. He rejoined the Dinos in 2009, recording 30.5 tackles and three sacks – again leading the team. The Dinos won their second straight Canada West title in a classic match-up against Saskatchewan, then defeated Saint Mary’s in the Uteck Bowl before falling 33-31 to Queen’s in the Desjardins Vanier Cup.

“Deji has done a great job preparing himself for this opportunity,” said Dinos head coach Blake Nill. “I know he worked extremely hard during the winter and that hard work has certainly paid off. I’m confident that the Winnipeg staff is going to be thrilled with what Deji can bring.

“We certainly wish him all the best and thank him for his contribution to the Dinos.”
Source:
Calgary Sports Info

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