Clark Selected by Montreal in CFL Global Draft, Daka Picked up by Toronto

TORONTO, Ontario – A pair of former James Madison football standouts have been added to Canadian Football League rosters, as punter Sam Clark was the ninth selection in the CFL Global Draft, while defensive lineman John Daka was signed by the Toronto Argonauts in free agency ahead of the 2024 season.

Clark, who played the 2022 season for the Dukes, averaged 43.2 yards per punt on his 50 attempts with nine over 50 yards with just four touchbacks. He was a Virginia Sports Information Directors Second Team All-State selection after ranking third in JMU single-season history in punt average. Prior to JMU, he spent three years at Sacramento State (2019-21) where he was a 2021 Third Team All-Big Sky honoree.

Daka played in 51 career games for JMU from 2016-19, making 24 starts at defensive end. His 27.5 career sacks still rank fourth all-time at JMU, as he bookended his career with a JMU single-season record 16.5 sacks in 2019. He was a STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award finalist and First Team All-American as a senior. He also added 10.0 sacks as a junior to earn Second Team All-America laurels.

To date, six Dukes are on current CFL rosters entering the preseason.

Former Dukes on CFL Rosters
Percy Agyei-Obese, RB – BC Lions
Bryce Carter, DL – Ottawa REDBLACKS
Todd Centeio, QB – Edmonton Elks
John Daka, DL – Toronto Argonauts
Ishmael Hyman, WR – Calgary Stampeders
Devin Ravenel, WR – BC Lions

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