His scrapbook is getting fatter by the day.

A week ago, he’d been picked first overall in the Canadian Football League draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Now? The Carolina Panthers, of the National Football League, have decided to sign him.

“It’s great,” Linden Gaydosh said Sunday afternoon from his hotel room in Charlotte, N.C. “Like, I’m so happy right now. I was at a loss for words when the CFL draft came — so I don’t know how to describe the feeling I have right now.

“The first thing I did was call my parents (Lynn and Dave). They were so excited the day of the CFL draft, I can’t imagine what’s going through them right now.”

While nothing has been signed yet — the Panthers’ word is good enough for Gaydosh as he awaits the contract — the defensive lineman’s performance at this past weekend’s free-agent camp cannot be underestimated. In tough with three dozen other unsigned/undrafted hopefuls at the Bank of America Stadium, the Calgary Dinos product simply did his thing.

In five practices over the three days, he stood out.

“I was comfortable here,” said Gaydosh, six foot three and 314 pounds. “I feel like I fit in really well. But I have to adjust to the game. I’ve got to get used to that no yard (at the line of scrimmage) and a bunch of other things — different terminology that they use down here. There’s a lot of adjustments I have to make. I’m really excited for the challenge.”

Gaydosh invested four hard-nosed years in the Dinos, starting in 2009 when he was named the Canadian Interuniversity Sport’s rookie of the year.

“We’re so happy Linden is getting this opportunity to showcase his talents to the NFL,” said Dinos coach Blake Nill. “He has worked incredibly hard to achieve this goal, and we wish him all the best.”

Another member of the Dinos is attempting to turn the same trick.

Offensive lineman Kirby Fabien, a 2012 pick of the B.C. Lions, auditioned this past weekend for the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J.

But it isn’t an easy road.

Thursday, on the eve of Carolina’s mini-camp, Gaydosh himself didn’t know what to expect.

“I had no idea,” he said. “I was just sitting there, (thinking), ‘Ah, I’ve got to put on a show tomorrow. I’ve got to put my best foot forward here and show them what I’m all about.’ I was able to do just that and I’m extremely happy with myself.

“I’m extremely proud, but I have to give a lot of thanks to the coaches who got me here. Because, without what they taught me, I wouldn’t be in this position.”

Gaydosh returns home this week. But he turns right around. The Peace River native’s off-season features six more weeks of workouts in Charlotte.

Leaving no time for the jilted Tiger-Cats or their camp.

“I’ve got training activities with the Panthers,” said Gaydosh. “I’m excited to go through that.”

And he’d better brace for summer’s stickiness.

“Oh, it was hot here,” said Gaydosh, chuckling. “I was asking some of the guys here about it and they go, ‘Hey, this is just a nice day. Wait till summer hits.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh my god.’ ”

scruickshank@calgaryherald.com