Sam Eguavoen released by Riders, NFL deal imminent

The Saskatchewan Roughriders released Sam Eguavoen, signaling an NFL contract is near.

Eguavoen worked out for 10 NFL teams in December, including the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, per NFL sources.

The 25-year-old Eguavoen had the best year of his three seasons in the CFL during 2018. He made 81 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and scored two defensive touchdowns. Since signing with the Riders in 2016, Eguavoen has 159 tackles, 14 on special teams, four sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and two majors in 38 games.

After four seasons at Texas Tech University where Eguavoen improved his production each season, the Red Raiders product put up some eye-popping testing numbers at the school’s pro day, running a 4.67 40-yard dash, 4.34 short shuttle, 7.15 three-cone, 38.5-inch vertical and 10-foot, five-inch broad jump at an even six-feet, 227 pounds. Despite those results, Eguavoen went unselected in the 2015 NFL Draft and spent that season out of football.

Eguavoen’s ability to be stout against the run, quick sideline-to-sideline and cover from the linebacker position fits well with the the current trends in the NFL, which have seen it become more like the CFL game.

Eguavoen is set to become a CFL free agent in February but by releasing him – standard procedure – he can sign a futures deal with an NFL club immediately. The move should earn the Riders some good will with the player, should he return to the CFL down the road.