Sammy Okpro

Sammy Okpro (born May 2, 1984) is the defensive coordinator for York University's football team, the York Lions of U Sports.[1] He played CIS football as a defensive back for the Concordia Stingers from 2004 to 2007.

Sammy Okpro
York Lions
Born: (1984-05-02) May 2, 1984
Montreal, Quebec
Career information
CFL statusNational
Position(s)Defensive coordinator
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight186 lb (84 kg)
UniversityConcordia
High schoolPierrefonds Comprehensive
CFL draft2008 / Round: 4 / Pick: 25
Drafted byEdmonton Eskimos
Career history
As coach
2013–2014Edmonton Huskies
2015–2016Edmonton Huskies
2017–presentYork Lions
As player
2008Edmonton Eskimos
2009Edmonton Eskimos*
2010Edmonton Eskimos*
AwardsAll Canadian (2005) (2006) (2007) All Conference All-Star QUFL (Quebec University Football League) (2005) (2006) - Cocorida Defensive Rookie of the year (2004) - Member of Team Canada roster (2003, 2004) - - Cegep League Rookie of the year (2002) - Vanier Cheetahs M.V.P Defense (2002, 2003) - Cegep All-Star Team “AAA” (2002, 2003) - Midget League M.V.P. Defense (2001) - North Shore Mustangs M.V.P. Defense (2000,
RecordsRecord Holder in Interception 14 int (2002-2003) Vanier Cheetahs
Career stats
  • Playing stats at CFL.ca (archive)
Sammy Okpro
Medal record
Men’s American football
Representing  Canada
World Championship
2011 AustriaTeam Competition

Professionally, he was drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos in the fourth round of the 2008 CFL Draft and spent parts of three years with the team.[2]

Early life

Okpro first played youth football with Alexander Park as a running back and safety from 1992 to 1997. He then played for the North Shore Lions during high school from 1998 to 1999 where he made the All-Star Team in 1999. He was a member of the North Shore Mustangs from 2000 to 2001 where he was the Midget League M.V.P. Defense in 2001 and made the All-Star Team in both 2000 and 2001. In CEGEP, he played for the Vanier College Cheetahs from 2002 to 2003.[3] There, he was the team MVP on Defense in both years, made the CEGEP All-Star team in both years, and was the CEGEP Rooke of the Year in 2002.

University career

In University, Okpro played for the Concordia Stingers from 2004 to 2007.[4] He was the Stingers' Rookie of the Year in 2004 and was a First-Team All Canadian in 2005, 2006, and 2007, while also being named the team MVP in 2007. He was the first Concordia Stingers football player to win three All-Canadian honours.[4]

Professional career

Okpro was draft in the fourth round, 25th overall, by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the 2008 CFL Draft.[2] He dressed in three regular season games while remaining on the practice roster for the remainder of the 2008 season.[2][5] He attended training camp with the team in 2009, but was part of the Eskimos' final cuts on June 25, 2009. He was re-signed by the Eskimos on April 12, 2010, but was again part of training camp cuts on June 7, 2010.[2][6]

Coaching career

Okpro first joined the Edmonton Huskies as the team's defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator in 2013.[1] He was then promoted to defensive coordinator in 2015 and served in that role for two years.

On July 17, 2017, it was announced that Okpro had joined the York Lions as the team's defensive coordinator, reuniting him with Warren Craney, who was his coach at Concordia.[1]

References
  1. "York names Okpro defensive coordinator of Lions football team". York Lions. July 17, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  2. "Esks welcome back Okpro". Edmonton Eskimos. April 12, 2020.
  3. "Okpro has score to settle". Vanier College. January 14, 2004. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  4. "Sammy Okpro gets CFL invite". Concordia Stingers. March 6, 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  5. "Stats Crew, Sammy Okpro". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  6. "CFL Transactions, 2010". Canadian Football League. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
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