By Michael Murillo,
CFL.ca
NCAA football fans don’t have to lose track of their favourite players when they leave their competitive teams and conferences. Each week, College Connection looks at a pair of former college stars who are making waves today in the CFL. Their teams will meet in an upcoming match-up, televised in the U.S.
This week: Calgary Stampeders at BC Lions, September 29, available on CBC.
Calgary Stampeders: Ken-Yon Rambo, WR, Ohio State Buckeyes. Rambo was a standout Buckeye receiver (1997-2000), finishing his career with 106 receptions and 1,849 yards—both top 10 all-time for Ohio State. His 22.9-yard average on 64 kickoff returns also set a school record. As a junior he started every game and earned an All-Big Ten Conference Honourable Mention, averaging more than 128 all-purpose yards per game. He also received the Paul Warfield Award, given annually to the team’s top receiver. Rambo was an All-American Dream team selection as a senior and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 2001 NFL draft before actually beginning his career with the Dallas Cowboys.
After a couple of years in Dallas, Rambo signed with the New York Jets before coming to Calgary, where he has been a solid contributor ever since. Now in his third season with the Stamps, Rambo has 39 catches for 627 yards and six touchdowns in 2007.
BC Lions: Jarious Jackson, QB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Jackson went to a school with a lot of history, but he made his own mark as a two-year starter. In his first game as a starter (in 1998), he led the Fighting Irish to a victory over No. 5-ranked Michigan, and the team finished 9-2 before losing to Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl. Jackson finished the year with 13 touchdown passes and added 441 rushing yards, which ranked second on the team. In his senior year he set single-season school records for passing yards, total yards, completions and attempts, and again finished second on the team in rushing. His 17 touchdown passes as a senior ranked third in school history, and his cumulative passing yardage was good for fourth all-time.
Jackson was drafted by Denver and spent four seasons as a backup before signing with the Lions. Jackson has seen his most extensive CFL action this season, and the team currently has an 8-3-1 record.
If you’d like to see a specific school or player featured in College Connection, contact Michael Murillo at vivamurillo@hotmail.com.
(The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily of the Canadian Football League)
