Nelson Lokombo
{{short description|Canadian gridiron football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox Canadian Football League biography
| name = Nelson Lokombo
| number = 25
| team = Saskatchewan Roughriders
| image = 2025, 25, Nelson Lokombo.jpg
| caption = Lokombo with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|3|23}}
| birth_place = Abbotsford, British Columbia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| status = Active
| import = no
| position1 = Defensive back
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 190
| CIS = Saskatchewan Huskies
| high_school = W. J. Mouat Secondary
| CFLDraftedYear = 2021
| CFLDraftedRound = 1
| CFLDraftedPick = 2
| CFLDraftedTeam = Saskatchewan Roughriders
| playing_years1 = {{CFL Year|2021}}–present
| playing_team1 = Saskatchewan Roughriders
| career_highlights =
| Honours =
| CFL = nelson-lokombo/166236/
}}
Nelson Lokombo (born March 23, 1999) is a Canadian professional football defensive back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
University career
Lokombo played U Sports football for the Saskatchewan Huskies from 2017 to 2019.{{cite web|url=https://huskies.usask.ca/sports/football/roster/nelson-lokombo/2536 |title=Nelson Lokombo |publisher=Saskatchewan Huskies |access-date=January 13, 2024}} In 2019, he was named a First Team All-Canadian and was also awarded the Presidents' Trophy as the top defensive player in U Sports football. He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 U Sports football season.
Professional career
In the CFL Scouting Bureau's Final Rankings, Lokombo was named the 17th best player available in the 2021 CFL Draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2021/04/26/josh-palmer-tops-spring-cfl-scouting-bureau-rankings/ |title=Josh Palmer tops spring CFL Scouting Bureau Rankings |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=April 26, 2021}} However, he exceeded those rankings and was drafted second overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and signed with the team on June 4, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2021/06/04/riders-sign-second-overall-draft-pick-nelson-lokombo/ |title=Riders sign second overall draft pick Nelson Lokombo |publisher=Canadian Football League |date=June 4, 2021}} Unfortunately, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in a pre-training camp workout and sat out the entire 2021 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.riderville.com/2023/06/01/green-scene-appeals-to-roughriders-nelson-lokombo/ |title=Green scene appeals to Roughriders' Nelson Lokombo |publisher=Saskatchewan Roughriders |date=June 1, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://3downnation.com/2022/06/10/former-second-overall-pick-nelson-lokombo-to-make-riders-debut-as-starting-cornerback/ |title=Former second overall pick Nelson Lokombo to make Riders debut as starting cornerback |publisher=3DownNation |date=June 10, 2022}}
Following 2022 training camp, Lokombo not only won a roster spot, but was also named an opening day starter at cornerback.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.ticats.ca/app/uploads/ticats/2022/10/06113602/2022_CFL_Gm_Notes_75_Ham_vs_Ssk.pdf |title=Game notes |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=January 13, 2024}} He made his professional debut on June 11, 2022, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats where he had one defensive tackle.{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/players/nelson-lokombo/166236/ |title=Nelson Lokombo |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=January 13, 2024}} He started the first three games of the season before being moved to the injured list for the fourth game of the season. Upon his return the active roster, Lokombo moved primarily to a backup role before returning to the injured list for the final five games of the season. He played in 12 regular season games, starting in four, where he had 13 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, and one forced fumble.
In 2023, Lokombo played in the first 10 games of the regular season before sitting out seven of the last eight due to injury.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.ticats.ca/app/uploads/ticats/2023/10/12114204/2023_CFL_Gm_Notes_79_Ssk_vs_Ham.pdf |title=Game notes |publisher=Canadian Football League |access-date=January 13, 2024}} He played in 11 games, starting in one, where he had five defensive tackles and four special teams tackles.
Personal life
Lokombo is the youngest of five brothers, with Boseko playing linebacker professionally in the CFL and Boloy having played defensive back for Minnesota–Duluth.{{cite web|url=https://theprovince.com/sports/football/cfl/bc-lions/football-ties-run-deep-with-the-lokombos-but-brotherly-bonds-run-deeper |title=Football ties run deep with the Lokombos, but brotherly bonds run deeper |last=Adams |first=J. J. |publisher=The Province |date=May 7, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-province/20080820/282797827164733 |title=The dream chaser |last=Olajuwon |first=Hakeem |publisher=The Province |date=August 20, 2008}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.riderville.com/players/nelson-lokombo/166236/ Saskatchewan Roughriders bio]
{{Saskatchewan Roughriders roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lokombo, Nelson}}
Category:Canadian football defensive backs
Category:Players of Canadian football from British Columbia
Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players