| Kwaku Boateng | |
| Image Upright: | 0.95 |
| Import: | no |
| Number: | 93 |
| Birth Date: | 26 April 1995 |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 2 |
| Weight Lb: | 257 |
| Cfldraftedyear: | 2017 |
| Cfldraftedround: | 5 |
| Cfldraftedpick: | 41 |
| Playing Years1: | – |
| Cfl: | kwaku-boateng/163191/ |
Kwaku Boateng (born April 26, 1995) is a Ghanaian-Canadian former professional football defensive end who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL).[1] He played U Sports football for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.
Boateng was born in Ghana and grew up in Milton, Ontario.[2]
He played four years for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks and is program's all-time sack leader. He was named a 2016 CIS Men's Football Second Team All-Canadian and is a two-time Academic All-Canadian.[3]
Boateng was selected in the fifth round (41st overall) in the 2017 CFL Draft by the Edmonton Eskimos. He was signed by the Eskimos on May 23, 2017.[4] He registered 21 defensive tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble in 18 regular season games during the 2017 season. In the 2017 CFL West Semi-Final, he recorded three tackles against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He also appeared in the West Final against the Calgary Stampeders.[5] He was nominated as the team's Rookie of the Year candidate for the 2017 CFL Awards.[6] Boateng continued his strong play in 2018 with 26 defensive tackles and nine quarterback sacks. On February 1, 2019, Boateng and the Eskimos agreed to a two-year contract extension.[7]
In 2019, he was the Edmonton Eskimos' Most Outstanding Defensive Player.[8] He re-signed with Edmonton on a contract extension through 2021 on December 26, 2020.[9] He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 8, 2022.[10]
On February 8, 2022, Boateng signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Redblacks.[11] However, he suffered an injury and did not play in any games for the team. In the following offseason, he became a free agent on February 14, 2023.[12]
On February 15, 2023, it was announced that Boateng had signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.[13] He was released on June 13, 2023.[14]
Despite interest from CFL teams, he announced his retirement on July 20, 2023.[15]