CFL pass rusher Tristan Okpalaugo to visit with Arizona Cardinals
Feb 18, 2016, 4:43 PM | Updated: 5:38 pm
Miami Dolphins defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo (66) pursues Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Matt Scott (5) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Arizona Cardinals have not been shy about voicing a desire to upgrade their pass rush this offseason, and their search for players who can get after the quarterback may be taking them north of the border.
Tristan Okpalaugo (DE/OLB Toronto Argonauts) had a great visit w/the Seahawks who also want him & we'll now be heading to Arizona Cardinals.
— Brett Tessler (@TesslerSports) February 18, 2016
So, who is Okpalaugo?
The 26-year-old is 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds. He has played two seasons for the Toronto Argonauts, tallying 23 sacks in 31 games. He also has notched 65 tackles, two interceptions and five forced fumbles.
A Fresno State product, Okpalaugo was not selected in the 2013 NFL Draft after a college career in which he collected eight sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss.
He signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins that year but did not make the final roster. From there he spent some time on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad, but was released in September. He had a stop with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014.
From there he made his way to Canada, where he has found success. He won the Frank M. Gibson Trophy as the East Division’s most outstanding rookie in 2014.
The Cardinals’ 36 sacks last season placed them in a tie for 20th in the NFL, though it is important to point out nine of them came in one game. The team’s leader in sacks, Dwight Freeney, is a free agent and may not return.
