D._J._Lalama

D. J. Lalama

D. J. Lalama

Canadian gridiron football player and coach

D. J. Lalama (born July 21, 1993) is a former professional Canadian football linebacker and is the linebackers coach for the Manitoba Bisons football team of U Sports.

Quick Facts Born:, Career information ...

University career

Lalama began his CIS football career with the Western Mustangs in 2011, but did not play and used a redshirt year.[1] Following the departure of coach Mickey Donovan, he transferred to the Manitoba Bisons program, playing in one game in 2012 before suffering a season ending injury.[2][3] He played his first full university season in 2013 and played three years en route to being drafted into the Canadian Football League in 2016. He was on the Edmonton Eskimos' practice roster when he requested his release so that he could complete a Master of Business Administration at the University of Manitoba.[4][5]

During his final university season in 2016, Lalama led the entire country with 72.5 total tackles and 54 solo tackles and also had three forced fumbles and seven pass breakups. For his strong season, he was named the Presidents' Trophy winner and became only the second Bison to win the national award.[6]

Professional career

Edmonton Eskimos

Lalama was drafted with in the eighth round, 70th overall, by the Edmonton Eskimos in the 2016 CFL Draft.[7] He initially agreed to a practice roster spot following 2016 training camp, but elected to return to the play for the Bisons and complete his MBA.[5][8]

Following the conclusion of his U Sports football career, Lalama re-signed with the Eskimos on February 13, 2017.[9][10] However, he was among the final cuts on June 18, 2017, at the conclusion of 2017 training camp.[9]

Montreal Alouettes

On July 5, 2017, it was announced that Lalama had signed a practice roster agreement with the Montreal Alouettes.[9][11] He was promoted to the active roster and played in his first professional football game on July 14, 2017, against the Calgary Stampeders.[9] For the 2017 season, he played in 15 regular season games and recorded 10 special teams tackles. He missed the entire 2018 season after suffering a shoulder injury during 2018 training camp.[12]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Upon becoming a free agent, Lalama signed with his hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers on February 15, 2019.[13] He played in the first seven games of the 2019 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season and recorded one special teams tackle before being a healthy scratch in the eighth game. He declined a practice roster spot with the team and became a free agent on August 14, 2019.[14][15]

Montreal Alouettes (II)

Shortly after his Blue Bombers release, Lalama was re-signed by the Alouettes on August 15, 2019.[14] He played in 11 regular season games, including starting in two at the end of the season for the playoff-bound team. For the last game of the 2019 regular season against the Ottawa Redblacks, he was named a CFL Top Performer for the week after he recorded a career-high 10 defensive tackles, one sack, and one special teams tackle.[16] In the game, he also served as the team's long snapper following an injury to the team's incumbent, Martin Bédard.[16] Following the end of the season, Lalama signed a one-year contract extension with the Alouettes.[17] He re-signed with the Alouettes again on January 20, 2021.[18] He was placed on the suspended list on July 6, 2021.[19]

Calgary Stampeders

On February 9, 2022, Lalama signed with the Calgary Stampeders, but retired prior to the 2022 season.[20][21]

Coaching career

While sitting out the 2021 CFL season, Lalama coached for the Manitoba Bisons as a special teams assistant.[21] On June 6, 2022, it was announced that Lalama had been promoted and would be the team's linebackers coach.[21]

References

  1. [1]
    "2012 CIS Football Team Preview: Manitoba Bisons". U Sports. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  2. [2]
    Henry, Rashari (August 4, 2016). "Going Pro - DJ Lalama". The Stath Blog. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  3. [3]
    Prest, Ashley (August 21, 2012). "Homegrown talent returning to join Herd". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  4. [4]
    "A guide to the 2016 Bisons football training camp". The Manitoban. August 11, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  5. [5]
    "Eskimos draft pick Lalama makes return to Manitoba Bisons, will also pursue MBA". Global News. August 18, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  6. [6]
    "All-Canadian Banquet presented by Sun Life Financial Regina's Picton becomes 50th Hec Crighton Trophy winner". U Sports. November 24, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  7. [7]
    "2016 Draft Recap - Edmonton Eskimos". Edmonton Eskimos. May 10, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  8. [8]
    "Esks cut linebacker DJ Lalama". Edmonton Sun. July 10, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  9. [9]
    "CFL Transactions, 2017". Canadian Football League. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  10. [10]
    "Manitoba Bisons' DJ Lalama 'excited to be heading back to Edmonton' after signing with Eskimos". Global News. February 13, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  11. [11]
    "Alouettes' transactions - July 5". Montreal Alouettes. July 5, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  12. [12]
    "Can't play, will coach; DJ Lalama making most of downtime after season-ending injury". Global News. August 28, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  13. [13]
    "Bombers add Winnipeg-born linebacker DJ Lalama". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. February 15, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  14. [14]
    "CFL Transactions, 2019". Canadian Football League. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  15. [15]
    "Winnipeg Blue Bombers release local product DJ Lalama". Global News. August 13, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  16. [16]
    "DJ Lalama named among CFL players of the week". Montreal Alouettes. November 5, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  17. [17]
    "Alouettes sign deals with a trio of Canadians". Montreal Alouettes. January 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  18. [18]
    "Alouettes sign Quebecers Jean-Samuel Blanc and Félix Faubert-Lussier". MontrealAlouettes.com. January 20, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  19. [19]
    "Alouettes Transactions". MontrealAlouettes.com. July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  20. [20]
    "Ooh Lalama – D.J joins Stampeders". Calgary Stampeders. February 9, 2022.
  21. [21]
    "Ex-star returns to football Herd as assistant coach". Winnipeg Free Press. June 6, 2022.
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