Abrahams-webster excited about jump from Dinos to CFL
Treshaun Abrahams-webster proved ’em right.
After politely fielding compliments about his gridiron future, after a standout stint and a Vanier Cup celebration with the University of Calgary Dinos, the 23-yearold defensive back is now pinching himself after hearing his name called in the 2020 CFL Draft.
“Football, for me, came a little bit late — I didn’t really start falling in love with the sport until I was in about Grade 11,” Abrahams-webster admitted. “What’s funny is a lot of other people told me that they thought I could do things in football, and I didn’t really foresee it for myself. I just tried to stay as humble as I can and just work as hard as I can.
“When I found out I was invited to the national combine, that was when everything started to feel real, like ‘Wow, I can actually go to the CFL.’”
That scouting combine was eventually scrapped due to COVID-19, but the Ottawa Redblacks were obviously impressed by Abrahams-webster’s game tape.
The 2020 CFL Draft was conducted online Thursday and they selected the versatile defender — originally from Pickering, Ont. — with the opening pick of the fifth round.
“I guess maybe the hardest part of it was just being patient and just understanding that everything that I did up to this point was good enough to get me into the CFL, and it was just about keeping that positivity through every round,” Abrahams-webster said. “And for me, the best feeling was getting that call ... Just getting that phone call, it was life-changing.”
The Dinos are usually popular on draft day, but even after winning a national title in 2019, Abrahams-webster was U of C’s only selection Thursday.
Others, like receiver Nathanael Durkan and record-setting quarterback Adam Sinagra, were passed over. It’s the first time since 2010 that there haven’t been multiple Dinos picked.
Abrahams-webster recorded 25 tackles, two forced fumbles and one blocked kick this past season, his fourth at the U Sports level.
He’ll try to earn a full-time job with the Redblacks at training camp … whenever that is.
“I think I’m ready,” said Abrahams-webster. “Coming from a powerhouse school like Calgary that has produced the most CFL athletes in probably the past 20 years, I think they’ve done a job of preparing me and really shaping my mentality and what to expect, so I think I’m going to do fine.”