The NFL might have passed on Boseko Lokombo in 2014, but after several strong seasons with the B.C. Lions he's on the league's radar in a big way.
On Monday, the Lions granted the W.J. Mouat grad early free agent status, which allowed him to ink a futures contract with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.
"Bo is a talented and exciting player who brought an extra dimension to our defense," Lions head coach and general manager Wally Buono said in a statement. "We wish him the best as he moves forward into the next phase of his career."
The Ravens confirmed the signing on Tuesday, and the contract will give Lokombo the opportunity to catch on with the club as part of the special teams unit.
We've inked defensive back Otha Foster and linebacker Boseko Lokombo to reserve/future contracts: https://t.co/9wrZ1z2joh pic.twitter.com/cbFiYSPh41
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 31, 2017
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.
From there, he committed to the University of Oregon playing under newly hired San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly. 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.
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. He was named a CFL West all-star in 2015.
The Ravens, Super Bowl champions in 2013, finished 2016 with a record of 8-8 and failed to make the playoffs.