Rory Connop Explained

Rory Connop
Import:no
Position1:Defensive lineman
Birth Date:27 December 1990
Birth Place:Edmonton, Alberta
Number:95
Cis:Western
High School:Edmonton (AB) St. Francis Xavier
Height Ft:6
Height In:5
Weight Lbs:282
Cfldraftedyear:2015
Cfldraftedround:3
Cfldraftedpick:26
Cfldraftedteam:Saskatchewan Roughriders
Playing Team1:Saskatchewan Roughriders
Cfl:rory-connop

Rory Connop (born December 27, 1990) is a former Canadian football defensive lineman who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He previously attended Western University and played college football for the Western Ontario Mustangs. He also played junior football for the Edmonton Wildcats of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).

Early career

Connop attended St. Francis Xavier High School but did not play high school football there. Instead, he played community football with the West Edmonton Raiders. He went on to play three years with the Edmonton Wildcats of the CJFL and was named an all-star of the Prairie Football Conference twice.[1] [2] In 2011, he enrolled at Boise State University and maintained redshirt status on the Broncos. Following his one year at Boise State, Connop discovered the NCAA would only allow him two years of eligibility, causing him to leave the Broncos for the Western Mustangs.[3] In 16 regular season games with the Mustangs, Connop recorded 32 tackles and six quarterback sacks. He also played in seven playoff games with 16 total tackles and two sacks.[4] Connop was invited to play in the 2014 East West Bowl.[5]

Professional career

Connop was selected in the third round of the 2015 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the 26th overall pick.[6] He made his CFL debut and started in the season debut against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on June 27.[7] Connop recorded his first tackle in the Week 2 game against the BC Lions.[8] He retired in May 2016.[9]

Personal life

Rory Connop is the son of former Edmonton Eskimos offensive lineman and Canadian Football Hall of Fame member Rod Connop.[10] Connop grew up playing hockey and played three seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Rory Connop enjoying his red shirt year with Boise State. August 29, 2015. CanadaFootballChat.com. September 16, 2011.
  2. News: Gibson. Stuart. Edmonton Wildcat Heads South of the Border. August 29, 2015. Edmonton Wildcats Football. September 3, 2011.
  3. News: Dalla Costa. Morris. D-line expected to soldier on. August 29, 2015. London Free Press. August 23, 2012.
  4. Web site: Rory Connop. Western Mustangs. August 29, 2015.
  5. Web site: Rory Connop. Saskatchewan Roughriders. August 29, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150919154238/http://www.riderville.com/roster/show/id/8093. September 19, 2015. mdy-all.
  6. News: Hamilton. Ian. Jeremy O'Day has high hopes for Toronto Argonauts. August 29, 2015. Leader-Post. May 21, 2015.
  7. News: Hamilton. Ian. Roughriders' rookies ready to rumble. August 29, 2015. Leader-Post. June 26, 2015.
  8. Web site: Saskatchewan Roughriders vs BC Lions (10 July 2015). CFL.ca. August 29, 2015.
  9. Web site: Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp digest . leaderpost.com . May 29, 2016 . June 16, 2016 . McCormick, Murray.
  10. News: Hamilton. Ian. Father knows best for Rod Connop. August 29, 2015. Leader-Post. May 28, 2015.
  11. Web site: Rory Connop.