The Indianapolis Colts today signed linebacker Henoc Muamba from the Canadian Football League. Muamba, a 6-0, 238 pound linebacker, was the first overall pick in the CFL draft in 2011 and spent the last 3 years playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
In his three year career, Muamba has recorded 171 tackles, 53 special teams tackles, 4 sacks, 1 pick, and 1 fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown. He was named a CFL All-Star in 2013 and won the Lew Hayman Trophy, which recognizes the best player in the East Division. In 2013, he finished second in the CFL with 106 tackles while playing in all 18 games. He also won the Ed Kotowich 'Good Guy' Award in 2013, which honors a player on the Blue Bombers for both their on field work and their work off of it as well. The 24-year old played four years (2007-2010) at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and finished as the school's all-time leader in career tackles with 149.5. He was named the Atlantic University Sport conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2010. As mentioned earlier, he was the first overall pick in the CFL draft in 2011. Muamba was born in Zaire (in Africa) but grew up in Canada.
The signing of Muamba is an interesting one. He had reportedly worked out for other NFL teams, one of which was the New England Patriots, according to a report. He is projected to play inside linebacker for the Colts, which is a position that is open for someone to take. We haven't even seen him on the field yet so we really don't know how he will do and we don't know if he will even make the roster, but Henoc Muamba is certainly someone to keep an eye on. His size (6-0, 238 pounds) is nearly identical to Jerrell Freeman's (6-0, 234 pounds) and both of them were standouts in the CFL before being signed by Colts general manager Ryan Grigson. Freeman has developed into a star in the middle of the Colts defense and has been tremendous in his two seasons. Fans are hoping that the same thing will be true of Muamba and that he can start alongside Freeman at inside linebacker. Let's not get ahead of ourselves and there is still a long way to go, but Muamba is talented and an interesting option at inside linebacker. He has produced at every level he has played at so far and it will be something to keep an eye on moving forward as to how he produces at the NFL level.
I don't really know what to expect from Muamba or even if he'll be anything but a camp body, but I'll certainly be keeping my eye on him. And either way, it's a good sign that Ryan Grigson is continuing to try to find guys in less traditional ways.