September 3, 2014

Report: Gaydosh set to return to Hamilton

David Moll/UC Athletics

THE CANADIAN PRESS

HAMILTON — It took a little more than a year, but Linden Gaydosh is finally with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

A CFL source says that Gaydosh is in Hamilton and will sign with the club sometime during the day.

The Ticats selected the six-foot-four, 305-pound defensive lineman first overall in the 2013 CFL draft, but shortly afterwards Gaydosh signed as a free agent with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

After spending the entire ’13 NFL season on injured reserve with a back injury, Gaydosh reported to the Panthers’ training camp before being sidelined with a foot ailment.

He was released by the Panthers on Aug. 24.

Gaydosh, 23, of Peace River, Alta., enjoyed a solid collegiate career at the University of Calgary.

He was Canadian university football’s top rookie in 2009 and helped Calgary reach the 2010 Vanier Cup, earning defensive MVP honours after returning an interception 20 yards for a TD in the team’s 56-3 Hardy Cup win over Alberta.

After receiving second-team all-Canadian honours in 2011, Gaydosh earned a second straight Canada West all-star nod and finished as the third-ranked prospect for the 2013 CFL draft but was taken first overall following an outstanding performance at the league’s annual evaluation camp.