In a bid to bolster their practice squad, the Calgary Stampeders have signed two proficient players, American defensive lineman George Obinna and national defensive back Malcolm Thompson. Here is a recap of the signed players:
George Obinna – Defensive Lineman
College: Sacramento State
American defensive lineman George Obinna, hailing from Lagos, NG, has had a considerable journey in football so far. Born on August 23, 1996, and carrying a significant frame with a height of 6.02 and a weight of 251 pounds, Obinna is rejoining the Stampeders with whom he played two regular-season games in 2022, registering two defensive tackles.
Before rejoining the Stampeders, Obinna signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in the NFL in 2020. He then spent some time on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice roster in 2021. His college journey is marked with significant achievements including playing 46 games over a span of five years at Sacramento State. Here, he earned all-Big Sky first-team honours twice, and registered an impressive tally of 136 tackles, 33.5 sacks, and 47 tackles for loss, showcasing his defensive prowess.
Malcolm Thompson – Defensive Back
College: Wilfrid Laurier
Born in Windsor, ON, on September 12, 1995, national defensive back Malcolm Thompson brings a substantial list of accolades to the team. With a height of 5.11 and weighing 200 pounds, Thompson is not new to the Stampeders, having attended their training camp in 2021. His professional journey includes playing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, recording 23 career defensive tackles and one fumble recovery.
In his college career at Wilfrid Laurier University, Thompson earned three-time Ontario University Athletics all-star honors and was named a first-team all-Canadian in 2016. During his tenure with the Golden Hawks, he had a stellar performance recording 120.5 total tackles, nine interceptions, and two sacks, among other stats. His agility on the field is underscored with punt and kickoff returns, adding another dimension to his gameplay.
Recap
- George Obinna
- Position: Defensive lineman
- School: Sacramento State
- Malcolm Thompson
- Position: Defensive back
- School: Wilfrid Laurier
In a nutshell, the Calgary Stampeders have secured strong defensive players with rich backgrounds to their practice squad, aiming to enhance their squad depth and strategies. Their unique experiences both in the professional league and in college games are anticipated to bring a fresh perspective and strength to the practice squad.
