CFL.ca
TORONTO — What’s next for Carleton Ravens defensive back Tunde Adeleke?
The starting CIS halfback proved plenty over three days at the CFL Combine presented by adidas last month, from his 16 reps on the bench press to a first-place 4.58 time in the 40-yard dash.
Now, after strong testing results and even some one-on-one reps against his teammate and one of the top receiving prospects in the country in Nate Behar, what Adeleke needs most is an opportunity.
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For CFL.ca’s Marshall Ferguson, the plot sounds a little familiar: Adeleke’s path appears similar to that of current Toronto Argos starting safety Jermaine Gabriel.
“Long, lean, raw athleticism,” Ferguson described the two defensive backs. “Both were in need of an opportunity. Gabriel found his in Toronto and ran with it. I think in five years we’ll be saying something similar about Adeleke.”
Coming out of the CJFL’s Calgary Colts, Gabriel’s story is well-known by now — the 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive back first turned heads at the Edmonton Regional Combine in 2013, earning his way to the national stage in Toronto. Weeks later, Gabriel’s vertical, shuttle and 40 rivaled some of the best results ever for a defensive back.
Since being picked in the second round that May, Gabriel has started most of the 60 games he’s played in at safety, recording 133 tackles, five sacks and an interception.
It was Adeleke’s bench press performance of 16 reps that made a difference for Ferguson. While Adeleke’s always been a gifted athlete, CFL.ca’s draft analyst needed to see that the long, lanky defensive back has the physicality needed to play at the next level.
“I just didn’t expect him to have that kind of strength based on his length, and when you watch him in-game as a returned kicks he has such long strides that he make you think that he’s just a sprinter,” said Ferguson.
“You almost want to put him in that box of ‘skinny guy that’s out-running everybody but is scared to get hit’ — but he’s not,” he added. “He’s physical and he’s long and lanky.
“I would put him right there with Dondre Weight in terms of physicality after watching the bench press.”
Adeleke, of course, still has lots to prove at the next level. But it starts with an opportunity, and all that’s left now is to wait.
