UCLA Football: Jaleel Wadood is heading to the Canadian Football League
Former UCLA football defensive back Jaleel Wadood has found a home after college as he has signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.
Despite not hearing his name called in the NFL Draft or signing a contract with an American pro team after the three-day event, former UCLA football player Jaleel Wadood has found a landing spot to continue his football career as he is heading north of the border.
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On Saturday it was announced that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League have signed seven players, which included Wadood.
#Ticats sign (all internationals) defensive linemen Lynden Trail and Roman Braglio, defensive backs Dwayne Thomas, John Green and Jaleel Wadood, wide receiver Rashad Lawrence, and offensive lineman Avery Jordan. #CFL via @Ticats pic.twitter.com/EP79Gyekxz
— CFL News (@CFL_News) May 18, 2018
One of the reasons it has been assumed Wadood was not taken in the draft was his size. At 5’9, 180 lbs., Wadood does not possess the ideal frame for a professional defensive back, but for those that follow UCLA football know that his size was never an issue. There is a reason that he has played heavy minutes since his freshman year.
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Though Wadood is smaller than the typical NFL DB, he plays twice his size. Wadood owned the safety spot and was a solid position player, especially in coverage, but he had other useful qualities.
Wadood wasn’t limited to the defensive backfield as his speed gave him the ability to burst into the offensive backfield and take down ball carriers behind the line when called upon.
If he got close to a ball carrier in the open field, he would lay them out with a hard hit or if he was targeted on a potential pass, he would aggressively play the ball and either breakup the pass or go for the interception.
Last season, Wadood was third on the team in total tackles with 79, with two of those going for a loss. He also added one interception, three break ups and one forced fumble.
Wadood was part of a UCLA secondary that had the second best passing defense in the Pac-12 Conference which only allowed 196.3 yards per game. He should be able to help out Hamilton which was 7th out of nine teams in passing yards allowed with 303.4.
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Though he maybe smaller than the average DB, he will certainly play with the fire of a Tiger-Cat. Congratulations, Wadood!