Nelson Lokombo

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Nelson Lokombo
2025, 25, Nelson Lokombo.jpg
Lokombo with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025
No. 25 – Saskatchewan Roughriders
Position Defensive back
Roster statusActive
CFL status National
Personal information
Born (1999-03-23) March 23, 1999 (age 26)
Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school W. J. Mouat Secondary
University Saskatchewan Huskies
CFL draft 2021: 1st round, 2nd overall pick
Career history
2021–present Saskatchewan Roughriders
Awards and highlights
Stats at CFL.ca

Nelson Lokombo (born March 23, 1999) is a Canadian professional football defensive back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Contents

University career

Lokombo played U Sports football for the Saskatchewan Huskies from 2017 to 2019. [1] In 2019, he was named a First Team All-Canadian and was also awarded the Presidents' Trophy as the top defensive player in U Sports football. [1] He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 U Sports football season.

Professional career

In the CFL Scouting Bureau's Final Rankings, Lokombo was named the 17th best player available in the 2021 CFL draft. [2] However, he exceeded those rankings and was drafted second overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and signed with the team on June 4, 2021. [3] Unfortunately, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in a pre-training camp workout and sat out the entire 2021 season. [4] [5]

Following 2022 training camp, Lokombo not only won a roster spot, but was also named an opening day starter at cornerback. [5] [6] He made his professional debut on June 11, 2022, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats where he had one defensive tackle. [7] He started the first three games of the season before being moved to the injured list for the fourth game of the season. [6] Upon his return the active roster, Lokombo moved primarily to a backup role before returning to the injured list for the final five games of the season. [6] He played in 12 regular season games, starting in four, where he had 13 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, and one forced fumble. [7] [6]

In 2023, Lokombo played in the first 10 games of the regular season before sitting out seven of the last eight due to injury. [7] [8] He played in 11 games, starting in one, where he had five defensive tackles and four special teams tackles. [7] [8]

Personal life

Lokombo is the youngest of five brothers, with Boseko playing linebacker professionally in the CFL and Boloy having played defensive back for Minnesota–Duluth. [9] [10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Nelson Lokombo". Saskatchewan Huskies . Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Josh Palmer tops spring CFL Scouting Bureau Rankings". Canadian Football League. April 26, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Riders sign second overall draft pick Nelson Lokombo". Canadian Football League. June 4, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Green scene appeals to Roughriders' Nelson Lokombo". Saskatchewan Roughriders. June 1, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Former second overall pick Nelson Lokombo to make Riders debut as starting cornerback". 3DownNation. June 10, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Game notes" (PDF). Canadian Football League . Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Nelson Lokombo". Canadian Football League . Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Game notes" (PDF). Canadian Football League . Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  9. ↑ Adams, J. J. (May 7, 2021). "Football ties run deep with the Lokombos, but brotherly bonds run deeper". The Province.
  10. ↑ Olajuwon, Hakeem (August 20, 2008). "The dream chaser". The Province.
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