The Calgary Stampeders have signed American offensive lineman Caleb Benenoch.
The six-foot-five, 305-pound blocker was born in Lagos, Nigeria but his family relocated to Katy, Texas when he was nine. His mother soon signed him up for “football,” not realizing that it was different from soccer.
The 28-year-old committed to UCLA out of high school and started 35 games with the Bruins at tackle and guard. During this time, he was a teammate of Calgary Stampeders’ linebacker Cameron Judge. In 2015, UCLA’s offensive line allowed only 14 sacks, which remains the second-fewest in school history.
Benenoch was a fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2016 NFL Draft and spent four seasons with the team. He dressed for 36 career NFL games with 23 starts as a member of the Bucs, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints.
Calgary’s right tackle position is currently vacant after incumbent starter Julian Good-Jones departed for the Philadelphia Eagles this off-season.
