Manitoba Bisons linebacker DJ Lalama was chosen as the stand-up defensive player of the year on Thursday as U Sports presented their annual awards ahead of the Vanier Cup.
“It’s something you definitely have in the back of your mind,” said Lalama. “It’s an unbelievable honour to be recognized as the top defensive player in the country. It’s definitely something I didn’t think was going to come my way this year. There’s a couple great players that have been nominated in their conferences as well.”
The Bisons claimed two of the six individual awards as Bisons defensive back Cam Teschuk won the Russ Jackson Award for excellence in football, academics and citizenship. The Bisons’ Geoff Gray was also nominated but fell short in his bid for the J.P. Metras Trophy as the most outstanding down lineman. It wasn’t a total loss for Gray though as he was chosen as a first team All-Canadian.
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Lalama, 23, is just the second Bisons player to win the Presidents’ Trophy. Linebacker Joey Mikawoz also won the award in 2000. Lalama led Canada West with 72.5 total tackles to set a new school record. He registered double-digit tackles in three different games and the Winnipeg native was also tied for first in the conference in forced fumbles.
“To some degree film and stats don’t lie,” said Lalama. “I was able to contribute a little bit more than I had in the past. Coach (Stan) Pierre made a decision to move me to the outside and let me play WIL (Linebacker) and maybe use a little bit more of my athleticism to my advantage.”
Lalama was drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos 70th overall in the 2016 CFL Draft. He also had a tryout with the NFL’s New York Giants. Lalama still has one year of university eligibility remaining but hasn’t decided if he’ll return to the Herd in 2017.
“I am very happy and this is a well-deserved honour for DJ,” said Bisons head coach Brian Dobie through a media release. “DJ had a record-breaking season in 2016. His hard work, personal growth and perseverance through his time at Manitoba have culminated in this prestigious recognition. Our Bison coaching staff and his teammates are extremely proud of him.”
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Lalama was also named a first team All-Canadian at the linebacker position.
WATCH: DJ Lalama Highlights
Teschuk, 23, is also just the second Bisons player to win the Russ Jackson Award. Thomas Hall won the honour twice in 2009 and 2010. In his fifth and final season with the Bisons, Teschuk was a co-captain and produced 23 tackles, three pass knockdowns and one fumble recovery. Teschuk is also a four-time Academic All-Canadian with a cumulative GPA of 4.13 in the faculty of management. In the community he has volunteered at Siloam Misson and worked on several homeless campaigns. He’s also helped raise money for Cystic Fibrosis research and worked with the Bison Book Buddies.
“I am proud of Cam. I have coached for 42 years and during that time he is unquestionably one of the best people I have known through the game of football,” said Dobie “He is not only an exceptional representative of the Bison football program but also of the entire University of Manitoba community. Cam personifies the integrity and character of recipients of the prestigious Russ Jackson Award.”
Regina Rams quarterback Noah Picton was named the 50th winner of the Hec Creighton Trophy as the most outstanding player in U Sports football.
WATCH: DJ Lalama on winning the President’s Trophy
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