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Albert Awachie

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Albert Awachie
No. 41     Saskatchewan Roughriders
Awachie with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024
Born: (1992-10-07) October 7, 1992 (age 32)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusNational
Position(s)Fullback
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight225 lb (102 kg)
UniversityToronto
CFL draft2017, undrafted
Career history
As player
2017–2023Saskatchewan Roughriders
2024Toronto Argonauts
2024–presentSaskatchewan Roughriders
Career stats

Albert Awachie (born October 7, 1992) is a Canadian professional football fullback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played CIS football for the Toronto Varsity Blues.

Although he rarely touches the ball, he is a key blocker and special teams player recognized by coaches and teammates for his tenacity and fearlessness.[1][2]

Early life

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Awachie was born in Toronto, Ontario on October 7, 1992. Being the youngest of five siblings instilled in him a drive and work ethic that was reaffirmed by his parents, Raphael and Florence, who had emigrated from Nigeria.[2] While in the first grade, he moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to stay with his mother, spending the summers back in Toronto with his father.[2] Although he grew up mostly playing soccer, his older brother Martin invited him to join the football team.[2] He played multiple positions at Rocky Mountain High School, even picking up all-league honors as a defensive lineman.[2][3] After graduation, he moved back to Toronto.[2]

University career

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Awachie played CIS football for the Toronto Varsity Blues from 2013 to 2016, beginning as a wide receiver and later playing some defensive back.[2] Initially joining as a walk-on, he played in 22 games in his college career, registering 14 receptions for 145 yards as well as 22 tackles on defense.[1][4] He missed the entire 2015 season after he dislocated his knee, tearing the bicep tendon, LCL and ACL, and doctors told him there was a 50 percent chance he would be able to return to football.[5][2] After ten months of rehab, he was able to come back for his senior season and rank third on the team with 13 receptions and 134 yards.[2][4]

Professional career

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Saskatchewan Roughriders (first stint)

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After going undrafted in the 2017 CFL draft, Awachie signed a free-agent deal with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on May 26, 2017.[6] He made his professional debut in the 2017 season opener on June 22 against the Montreal Alouettes.[7]

Awachie with the Toronto Argonauts in 2024

Awachie spent his first two years as a backup to fullback Spencer Moore on the depth chart, appearing in 12 games without registering a carry.[8][9][7] Bouncing between the active and practice rosters, he also occasionally filled in for injuries on special teams.[2][10] Moore was traded to the Montreal Alouettes in December 2018, opening the door for more playing time for Awachie.[2] In 2019, Awachie stepped into a larger role on special teams and established himself as a reliable blocker for an offense that ran for over 2,000 yards and a league-best 26 touchdowns.[1][11] He recorded his first-ever CFL statistic in week 2: a four-yard reception against the Ottawa Redblacks.[7][1] He got his second catch in week 16, an eight-yard pass from Cody Fajardo against the Toronto Argonauts in Toronto with his parents in attendance.[1]

On January 31, 2020, it was announced that Awachie had signed a two-year contract extension with the Roughriders.[11] However, he did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season. In 2021, Awachie played in 12 regular season games where he had five special teams tackles and one kickoff return for seven yards.[12] In the 2022 season, he played in a career-high 17 regular season games where he had four receptions for 38 yards, eight special teams tackles, one forced fumble, and one kickoff return for nine yards.[12] In his final season with the Roughriders, Awachie played in 14 games and recorded three catches for 24 yards, one special teams tackle, and two kickoff returns for 25 yards.[7] He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 13, 2024.[13]

Toronto Argonauts

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On February 13, 2024, it was announced that Awachie had signed with the Toronto Argonauts.[14] He played in seven games for his hometown Argonauts before being released mid-season on August 6, 2024.[15]

Saskatchewan Roughriders (second stint)

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Soon after his Toronto release, Awachie re-signed with the Roughriders on August 7, 2024, and was added to the team's depth chart for their game on the following day.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Harder, Greg (October 1, 2019). "Albert Awachie is an unsung hero for the Saskatchewan Roughriders". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Gray, Britton (October 5, 2019). "Despite significant knee injury, Riders' Albert Awachie never gave up". paNOW. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  3. ^ "Colorado: All-Front Range Conference Football Team". MaxPreps. March 27, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Albert Awachie". Toronto Varsity Blues. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Hewitson, Eric (January 25, 2016). "Bigger, faster, stronger after injury". themedium.ca. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  6. ^ "Riders sign Bladek, five more from 2017 draft". CFL.ca. May 26, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d "Albert Awachie". CFL.ca. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  8. ^ McCormick, Murray (June 18, 2017). "Riders switch gears from pre-season to regular season". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  9. ^ Hamilton, Ian (February 23, 2018). "The Roughriders have been busy". Saskatchewan Roughriders. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  10. ^ Hamilton, Ian (June 20, 2018). "The Riders hit the road to face the Redblacks". Saskatchewan Roughriders. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Riders sign Awachie to two-year extension". CFL.ca. January 31, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "2023 CFL Guide" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "Official 2024 Free Agent Tracker". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  14. ^ "Argos Ink Canadians DB Exumé & FB Awachie". Toronto Argonauts. February 13, 2024.
  15. ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  16. ^ "Roughriders sign Albert Awachie, add him to roster versus Redblacks". Saskatchewan Roughriders. August 7, 2024.
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