Toronto Argonauts Extend Key Starters, Sign Former NFL/USFL Running Back
The Toronto Argonauts announced Monday that they have extended the contracts of All-Star defensive end Folarin Orimolade and wide receiver DaVaris Daniels. Orimolade and Daniels were set to become free agents after the upcoming season but are now locked in through at least the 2025 season.
The Argos has also added free agent American running back DeAndre Torrey to their roster.
Orimolade, 28, had a career year in his first season in Double Blue after the team landed him as one of their prized free agents last offseason. Orimolade lived up to his lofty billing in 2023 after posting a team-leading 10 sacks. He also registered 36 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries while being named a Division All-Star.
The 5-11, 238-pound edge-rushing Dartmouth alum joined Toronto after playing four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. His contract extension keeps him off the open market until 2026. There's no doubt that he would be a prime target of former defensive coordinator Corey Mace, who is running a new ship with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Daniels, 31, is coming off his best season in 2023 after catching 52 passes for a career-high 1,009 yards and eight touchdowns. Daniels led the team in all team-receiving categories and earned an East Division All-Star nod. The 6-1 pass-catcher joined Toronto, following Ryan Dinwiddie as a free agent in 2020 after spending four seasons with the Stampeders.
The Notre Dame alum was the league's Most Outstanding Rookie for Calgary in 2016 after posting 51 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. Daniels has played in three Grey Cups, winning two, while hauling in 25 passes for 260 yards in those championship games. For his career, the Illinois native has caught 336 passes for 5,579 yards and 38 touchdowns in 99 CFL games.
Torrey, 25, played for the Vegas Vipers in 2023, carrying the ball 19 times for 49 yards and one touchdown while catching five passes for 35 yards.
The 5-7, 200-pound tailback has spent time with the USFL Michigan Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles in 2022.
The former University of North Texas standout (2018-2021) played in 44 games for the Mean Green, rushing for 3,228 yards and 36 touchdowns with 57 receptions for 436 yards and four more scores. Torrey was named second-team All-Conference USA as a senior and honorable mention as a junior.
CFL free agency kicks off in less than a month on Feb. 13. General manager Michael "Pinball" Clemons and the Argonauts' front office have their work cut out for them. Toronto has 27 pending free agents. Many of them were starters for the record-tying 16-win Argos in 2023.
Up to this point, the Argonauts have re-signed five pending free agents: WR Tommy Nield, OT Isiah Cage, DB Maurice Carnell IV, OL Dillan Giffen and DB Jamie Harry.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS PENDING 2024 FREE AGENTS
- Brandon Barlow | DL | Boston College
- Boris Bede | K | Laval
- Darius Bladek* | G | Bethune-Cookman
- Dejon Brissett* | WR | Virginia
- Jack Cassar* | LB | Carleton
- Darius Ciraco* | OL | Calgary
- Damonte Coxie | WR | Memphis
- Robertson Daniel | DB | BYU
- Brian Harelimana* | LB | Montréal
- Andrew Harris* | RB | Nanaimo Raiders Jr.
- Dewayne Hendrix | DL | Pittsburgh
- Trevor Hoyte* | LB | Carleton
- Jonathan Jones | LB | Toledo
- Javon Leake | RB | Maryland
- Benoît Marion* | DL | Montréal
- Wynton McManis | LB | Memphis
- Henoc Muamba* | LB | St. Francis Xavier
- Shawn Oakman | DL | Baylor
- A.J. Oullette | RB | Ohio
- Jamal Peters | DB | Mississippi State
- Cameron Phillips | WR | Virginia Tech
- Adarius Pickett | LB | UCLA
- Robert Priester | LB | Wyoming
- Shane Richards* | OL | Oklahoma State
- Tigie Sankoh^ | DB | London Warriors
- Richie Sindani* | WR | Regina
- Trevon Tate | OT | Memphis
*National Player, ^Global Player
You can find Mike Mitchell on X @ByMikeMitchell.
Catch up with CFL on FanNation on Facebook and X.
