It only took a few weeks for Kwaku Boateng to find himself fitting in with the Edmonton Eskimos in his rookie season and by year’s end, he was a staple in the team’s rotation on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage.

“By Week 2 I felt like one of them,” Boateng said over the phone on Tuesday. “I felt like we were all one unit. There wasn’t any discrimination whether you’re Canadian or American. At some point it just felt like the best players played. We found a good, healthy rotation amongst ourselves and that’s just really what got the ball going.”

Edmonton boasted an all-American defensive line in 2017 and Boateng knew that he had to impress in his first few games if he wanted to find himself in the rotation as the season progressed. The 23-year-old defensive end – who the Esks selected in the fifth round of the 2017 CFL Draft – was the only Canadian defensive lineman that made the team out of training camp last year.

Because there wasn’t as much of a need for a ratio breaker, Boateng knew his Canadian passport wouldn’t be enough to find himself playing alongside the likes of Almondo Sewell, Odell Willis and John Chick.

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“There wasn’t that ratio breaking need at the beginning of the season so I felt like it was a tough spot to be in because you knew that you had to really excel on field,” he recalled. “I think that, within itself, really helped push me.”

Boateng played in all 18 games, including one start, and suited up in the Western Semi-Final and Western Final. He finished his first season in the CFL with 21 tackles, one special teams tackle, four sacks and one forced fumble.

“People like Almondo Sewell, Odell Willis, Da’Quan Bowers, those three individuals really helped me get accustomed to being a pro and understanding the game,” he said. “Without them it would have been a hard transition going from University to the CFL.”

Boateng attended the 2017 CFL National Scouting Combine presented by adidas after spending his university career at Laurier as a member of the Golden Hawks. The Milton, Ont. native was invited to the combine after posting the best statistics of his four-year stint at Laurier. He hit career-highs in tackles (22), sacks (6.5), knockdowns (six) and forced fumbles (four) in 2016. He also left as the school’s leader in career sacks (20.5).

He tested well at the national combine in Regina last year and he remembered feeling good about his vertical (33.5) and shuttle (4.29) numbers. The six-foot, 250-pounder also dominated in his one-on-ones, garnering the attention of the Edmonton Eskimos who, in turn, drafted him 41st overall.

2017 DRAFT CLASS MAKING AN IMPACT

Name Team Drafted Games Played Kwaku Boateng Edmonton Eskimos Round 5, 41st overall 18 Tunde Adeleke Calgary Stampeders Round 3, 25th overall 17 Justin Vaughn Hamilton Tiger-Cats Round 5, 38th overall 18 Dondre Wright Montreal Alouettes Round 3, 20th overall 18 Junior Luke BC Lions Round 1, 7th overall 18

But Boateng wasn’t the only one who attended the national combine last year, was drafted and made an impact in his rookie season.

Calgary Stampeders defensive back Tunde Adeleke held last year’s fastest 40-yard dash time (4.581) and he also felt like he showed off his skill set in his one-on-one session.

After that performance, the Stampeders took the 22-year-old in the third round of last year’s draft and he exploded onto the scene almost immediately.

Much like Boateng, Adeleke made an impact in Week 2 of the CFL season. That week, he scored a punt return touchdown against the Ottawa REDBLACKS – his first professional score. He took another punt to the house in Week 15 against the Montreal Alouettes.

When starting safety Josh Bell sat out three games with an injury mid-season, it was Adeleke who filled in for the veteran as the last line of defence. He also made a start at the SAM linebacker position.

Versatility and his ability to play multiple positions is what set Adeleke apart and impressed the Stampeders front office staff.

“That was something that they talked about,” Adeleke recalled over the phone on Wednesday. “Being able to do as much as you can for the team is the best way to get on the field. When it came to specials, I worked on being a better gunner and being a better returner and when it came to defence I just worked on being able to play safety, SAM or corner if they put me there.”

In total, the native of Nigeria tallied 26 punt returns for 356 yards, five kickoff returns for 95 yards, 15 defensive tackles, 13 special teams tackles, one sack, one quarterback pressure and one forced fumble. Adeleke also had a tackle and a kickoff return for 17 yards in the Western Final and dressed in the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw.

Both Boateng and Adeleke will be looking to solidify a starting role on their respective rosters once the 2018 season gets underway.

The Eskimos have an open spot at defensive end with the departure of Odell Willis and the Stampeders have an opening at safety with Josh Bell retiring and taking a coaching role with the team.

“I know I’m going to have to compete for it,” Adeleke said of the opening in Calgary’s secondary. “It’s a competitive team. The depth on the team is something else, it’s ridiculous. I think It’s been said that I’m the starter right now but I know 100 per cent that there’s going to be competition and if I’m not bringing my A-game I won’t be the starter at the start of the season.”

Boateng echoed the notion that he will have to compete for the roster spot.

“We have great talent that has either extended or recently acquired on the D-line and it’s just good, home competition and I’m excited for it,” Boateng said. “That open spot, it’s open for competition but I wouldn’t say it’s mine or anyone’s just yet. I think it’s going to be a healthy battle in training camp for all of us, whether American or Canadian.”