Justin Sambu (born January 22, 1999) is a Canadian professional football defensive lineman for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Maine and Baylor. He has also been a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
| No. 97 Calgary Stampeders | |
 Sambu with the Calgary Stampeders in 2024 | |
| Born: | January 22, 1999 Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Practice roster |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | DL |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 282 lb (128 kg) |
| College | Maine (2018–2022) Baylor (2023) |
| High school | Cochrane (Cochrane, AB) |
| CFL draft | 2024, round: 6, pick: 54 |
| Drafted by | Toronto Argonauts |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2024 | Toronto Argonauts* |
| 2024–present | Calgary Stampeders |
| *Offseason and/or practice roster member only | |
| Career stats | |
| |
Early life
editSambu played high school football at Cochrane High School in Cochrane, Alberta.[1][2] In 2016, he was rated the eighth best player, and the No. 2 defensive end, in Canada. He was also a member of the Team Canada football team.[3]
College career
editSambu first played college football for the Maine Black Bears from 2019 to 2022.[3] He was redshirted in 2018. He played in five games in 2019, and made one tackle. The 2020 Maine football season was moved to spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sambu played in all four games of the shortened season, recording five tackles and one forced fumble. He appeared in nine games during the fall 2021 season, totaling 21 tackles and one fumble recovery. He played in all 11 games in 2022, accumulating 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.[3] Sambu's sack total led the team that season.[3][4]
Sambu transferred to play for the Baylor Bears in 2023.[5][6] He appeared in all 12 games, as a member of the field goal unit, and made two tackles.[6]
Professional career
editToronto Argonauts
editSambu was selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the sixth round, with the 54th overall pick, of the 2024 CFL draft.[7] He officially signed with the team on May 6. He was released by the Argonauts on June 1, 2024.[8]
Calgary Stampeders
editSambu was signed to the practice roster of the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL on July 16, 2024.[9][10] He was moved to the active roster on August 3.[11] The next day, he recorded one sack and one solo tackle in his CFL debut as the Stampeders beat Sambu's former team, the Argonauts, by a score of 27–23.[2] Sambu was moved back to the practice roster on August 14, 2024.[11]
References
edit- ^ Abbott, JC (April 13, 2024). "2024 CFL Draft profiles: Baylor DT Justin Sambu hoping to follow the Lwal Uguak model for success". 3downnation.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Edey, Noel (August 7, 2024). "Justin Sambu makes a splash in his debut with Stamps". cochranenow.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Justin Sambu". goblackbears.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ Mahony, Larry (October 21, 2022). "A defensive lineman that grew up playing Canadian football is leading UMaine in sacks". bangordailynews.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Anthony (March 28, 2024). "Justin Sambu Takes His Pass-Rushing Skills to Canada Ahead of CFL Draft". athlonsports.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "Justin Sambu". baylorbears.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ Edey, Noel (May 17, 2024). "Cobra alumni Justin Sambu in Argos training camp". cochranenow.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ "Toronto Argonauts Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ Edey, Noel (July 27, 2024). "Cobra alumni Justin Sambu signs with Stamps". cochranenow.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ "Calgary Stampeders sign former sixth-round pick DL Justin Sambu". 3downnation.com. July 16, 2024. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ a b "Calgary Stampeders Transactions". footballdb.com. Retrieved August 19, 2024.