Versatile defensive star Dexter McCoil signs with Argos

Photo courtesy: San Francisco 49ers

The Toronto Argonauts have signed American linebacker and defensive back Dexter McCoil Sr.

The 29-year-old McCoil Sr. played five games for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL in 2020, finishing tied for third in the league with 36 tackles.

The six-foot-four, 220-pound defensive star was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2014 and a CFL all-star after posting 63 defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles, four sacks, two touchdowns and tying for the league lead with six interceptions in 18 games for Edmonton.

The following season saw the Louisiana native tally 71 defensive tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions on route to another West Division all-star nod and finished that season off by helping the green and gold win the Grey Cup.

The University of Tulsa alum signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2016, playing 16 games and recording 25 tackles and one interception. A move to the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 to 2018 saw McCoil Sr. play 10 more NFL games, adding five tackles.

A brief stint back with San Diego in 2019 prefaced McCoil’s return to the CFL in October that year, when the defensive player would play two games at the end of the season for Calgary.