Casey Sayles Explained

Casey Sayles
Image Upright:1
Team:Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Number:44
Position:Defensive tackle
Birth Date:4 September 1995
Birth Place:Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lbs:289
High School:Omaha North
College:Ohio Bobcats
Nfldraftedyear:2017
Nfldraftedround:Undrafted
Playing Team1:Los Angeles Rams
Playing Team2:Pittsburgh Steelers
Playing Team3:Birmingham Iron
Playing Team4:Pittsburgh Steelers
Playing Team5:St. Louis BattleHawks
Playing Team6:Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Playing Years7:–present
Playing Team7:Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Career Highlights:
Status:Active
Import:Yes
Cfl:casey-sayles/163472/
Nfl-New:casey-sayles

Casey Sayles (born September 4, 1995) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football with the Ohio Bobcats.

Early life

Sayles attended Omaha North High School in Omaha, Nebraska.[1] As a senior, Sayles compiled 36 solo tackles and 40 assists, with 19 tackles for loss for 71 yards, including 4 1/2 sacks. He also registered four pass breakups, and while playing tight end, he caught nine passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns.[2] He helped Omaha North reach the Class A championship game and was named to the All-Nebraska team. Sayles signed with the Ohio Bobcats out of high school.[3]

College career

Sayles played defensive line for the Ohio Bobcats from 2013 to 2016. In 2013, he also played special teams and returned 4 kicks for a total of 30 yards.[4] In 2014, he played in only seven games. In his senior season in 2016, Sayles has 33 tackles and six sacks, earning Second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors.[5] He finished his four year college career with 111 total tackles and 12.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries in 50 games.

Statistics

Tackles Def Int Fumbles
YearSchoolConfClassPosGSoloAstTotLossSkIntYdsAvgTDPDFRYdsTDFF
  • 2013
OhioMACFRDL111418325.03.5000000000
2014OhioMACSODL7712192.00.5000001000
  • 2015
OhioMACJRDL13918276.02.5000031000
  • 2016
OhioMACSRDL141715326.55.0000031000
CareerOhio45476311019.511.5000063000
  • indicates bowl stats included. Reference

Professional career

Los Angeles Rams

On May 3, 2017, Sayles was signed by the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent.[6] He was released by the team on September 3, 2017.[7]

Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)

On January 18, 2018, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Sayles to a Reserve/Future contract. He had four tackles in four preseason games.[8] On September 1, 2018, he was waived.

Birmingham Iron

In 2019, Sayles played for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). According to Pro Football Focus, he was one of the best defensive lineman in the league on a per-snap basis.[9] The league ceased operations in April 2019.[10]

Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)

On April 9, 2019, the Steelers signed Sayles to a one-year contract. On August 30, 2019, he was released.[11]

St. Louis BattleHawks

In October 2019, Sayles was drafted by the St. Louis BattleHawks via the 2020 XFL Draft. He was picked up in the first round of Phase 3: Defensive Front Seven.[12] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[13]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Sayles signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL on April 5, 2021.[14] He played for two seasons with the Blue Bombers where he won a Grey Cup in 2021 and became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 14, 2023.[15]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

On February 15, 2023, it was announced that Sayles had signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[15] On November 8, 2023, Sayles was named a CFL All-Star, after leading the team in quarterback sacks and tackles for loss.[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Profile: Casey Sayles . February 5, 2020 . 247sports.com.
  2. News: Hambleton . Ryan . December 8, 2012 . Casey Sayles, DL . February 12, 2020 . Lincoln Journal-Star.
  3. News: Pospisil . Stu . February 6, 2013 . Metro's Sayles, Keely twins sign letters . February 12, 2020 . Omaha World-Herald.
  4. Web site: Profile: Casey Sayles . February 5, 2020 . sports-reference.com.
  5. Web site: February 9, 2019 . Former Ohio Football Standout Sayles Set To Open Inaugural AAF Season With Birmingham Iron . February 12, 2020 . . May 25, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190525194304/http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2019-20/releases/20190209h3iqrf . dead .
  6. Web site: Profile: Casey Sayles . February 5, 2020 . rotoworld.com.
  7. Web site: Profile: Casey Sayles . February 5, 2020 . pro-football-reference.com.
  8. News: Klinger . Jacob . April 9, 2019 . Steelers bring back former AAF DL Casey Sayles . February 12, 2020 . PennLive.
  9. News: Marczi . Matthew . March 7, 2019 . Casey Sayles Another Former Steeler Making Mark In Alliance With The Iron . February 15, 2020 . Steelers Depot.
  10. Web site: Rothstein . Michael . Wickersham . Seth . June 13, 2019 . Inside the short, unhappy life of the Alliance of American Football . January 9, 2024 . ESPN.com.
  11. Web site: Asti . Mike . August 30, 2019 . Report: Steelers Release DL Casey Sayles . February 5, 2020 . steelersnow.com.
  12. Web site: Bender . Bill . October 21, 2019 . XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league . October 23, 2019 . Sporting News.
  13. News: Condotta, Bob . April 10, 2020 . XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue . July 17, 2020 . SeattleTimes.com.
  14. News: Marra, Riley . April 5, 2021 . Bombers add Casey Sayles to roster . April 5, 2021 . BlueBombers.com.
  15. Web site: Transactions – Football player trades and signings . June 23, 2023 . Canadian Football League.
  16. Web site: TIGER-CATS WHITE AND SAYLES NAMED CFL ALL-STARS .