Abbotsford’s Bo Lokombo is back with the B.C. Lions.
The W.J. Mouat grad previously suited up for the Lions from 2014 to 2016 and in 2018. He was named a Canadian Football League all-star in 2015.
The Lions made the announcement on Monday, with Lokombo stating on his Instagram page that he was, “Thrilled to be back. Thank you BC Lions, all glory to God.”
Lokombo starred for years on the gridiron with the Mouat Hawks, suiting up as both linebacker, wide receiver and running back for the team. He was named the AAA eastern conference’s offensive most valuable player in his senior year, racking up 1,556 rushing yards and 728 receiving yards to go with 47 tackles and four interceptions on the defensive side of the ball.
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From there, he committed to the University of Oregon. Lokombo and the Ducks lost in the National Championship Game in his first year, and then went on to win the Rose Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl and the Alamo Bowl in the years following.
He was selected by the Lions in the third round of the 2013 CFL draft, despite most experts predicting Lokombo would be scooped up by an NFL team in the 2014 draft
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However, a torn labrum in his draft eligible year created enough doubt in NFL scouts minds that he was passed over by all 32 teams, and wasn’t one of the 256 players selected.
The 6-foot-3, 229 pounder joined the Lions later that year, and went on to play 43 career games in the orange and black during his first run.
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Lokombo signed with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens in 2017 and also spent time on the practice roster squads of the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers that year. He returned to the Lions in 2018 and then signed with the Montreal Alouettes in 2019. He was then dealt to the Toronto Argonauts in January 2020, but the CFL’s cancelled season meant he never suited up a game for the club. He was officially released by the Argos on Jan. 31, 2021.
His younger brother Nelson Lokombo has also been turning heads after several strong years with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football program. Nelson, also a Mouat grad, was recently ranked the 14th best draft eligible prospect for the 2021 CFL Draft. It’s likely that he will be selected at that event, which occurs in the spring.
Nelson was named the USports national defensive football player of the year in 2019.
RELATED: Abbotsford’s Nelson Lokombo ranked 14th best CFL prospect
Lokombo and the Lions are scheduled to open the 2021 CFL regular season in Calgary on June 12. The first home game for the club is set for June 26 against Montreal.
For more on the team, visit bclions.com.