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Only two players taken in the draft — fifth-rounder Malik Richards, a wide receiver, and sixth-rounder Tariq LaChance, a defensive tackle, are no longer with the team.

“It’s really impressive and it also speaks to the management here, who scouted us out and picked all of us,” said Kongbo, tipping his cap to general manager Kyle Walters and director of player personnel Ted Goveia.

“They made good choices, we’ve got quality players all around us and we’re just a hungry draft class.”

Kongbo, who missed all of training camp and the first six games of the season while recovering from an ACL injury he suffered while at the University of Tennessee last fall, has been very involved in the last four games, recording eight defensive tackles.

With ends Jackson Jeffcoat and Craig Roh out of the lineup and Canadian Kongbo in, the Bombers D-line had its best game of the season last week in Edmonton.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt when you have star-powered Willie Jefferson at the other defensive end position.

“Just speaking for myself in the defensive end position, Willie Jefferson, Craig Roh and Jackson Jeffcoat — those guys have just been great to embrace me,” said Kongbo, who was picked fifth overall. “It’s been a good relationship with the vets and the young guys and I think that’s why it’s working really well right now. I’ve got the best people ahead of me. All I have to do is watch what they do and do it myself and I’ll be successful.”

Desjarlais, the fourth-overall pick in May, has played in all 10 games and has started the last two at left guard in place of Cody Speller, another rookie who was filling in for the injured Pat Neufeld. The Bombers won both games and rushed the ball with authority.