Aidan John (born May 16, 2000) is a Canadian professional football defensive lineman for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Aidan John
No. 93     Ottawa Redblacks
John with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2024
Born: (2000-05-16) May 16, 2000 (age 24)
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusNational
Position(s)Defensive lineman
Height6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight226 lb (103 kg)
UniversitySaint Mary's
Western
High schoolCitadel High
CFL draft2023, round: 3, pick: 19
Drafted byOttawa Redblacks
Career history
As player
2023–presentOttawa Redblacks
Career stats

Early life

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John grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and started playing high school football in grade 11 at Citadel High School.[1] He played for Team Nova Scotia at the 2017 Football Canada Cup in Wolfville and he also played for Team Canada in the U18 International Bowl in 2017, where he was named Defensive Player of the Game.[1]

University career

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John first committed to playing U Sports football for the Western Mustangs in 2018.[1][2] However, he had to return to Halifax and instead transferred to play for the Saint Mary's Huskies.[3] He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 U Sports football season and also sat out the 2021 season.[3] He returned to play in 2022 where he played in seven games and recorded 29 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.[4] For his career, he played in just 15 games, but had 75.5 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two pass knockdowns, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.[5]

Professional career

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John was selected by the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the third round, with the 19th overall pick, of the 2023 CFL draft and signed with the team on May 9, 2023.[6] Following training camp in 2023, he accepted a practice roster role with the team.[7] He later made his professional debut on July 23, 2024, against the Calgary Stampeders, where he recorded one defensive tackle.[7] John played in five games in his rookie year where he had three defensive tackles and one special teams tackle.[7]

In 2024, John made the opening day active roster.[7] He later had his first career sack on September 7, 2024, against the Toronto Argonauts.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Redblacks' Aidan John taking path less travelled through Nova Scotia". Ottawa Redblacks. July 18, 2024.
  2. ^ "Aidan John". Western Mustangs. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "O'Leary: Aidan John aims for a path to the Draft". Canadian Football League. March 23, 2023.
  4. ^ "Aidan John". Saint Mary's Huskies. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "Maritimers Reece Martin, Aidan John out to prove AUS 'has dogs' in 2023 CFL Draft". 3DownNation. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "Redblacks sign 2023 CFL Draft class". Ottawa Redblacks. May 9, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Aidan John". Canadian Football League. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
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