Mike Rose considers him “the real deal.”
Pundits felt losing him a few winters ago was the biggest drop in recent free-agency windows by the Calgary Stampeders.
So the Red and White getting sack-master Folarin ‘Flo’ Orimolade back to terrorize quarterbacks is a big deal.
“Flo is a premier pass-rusher,” said Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “And he’s a player we believe will make us better.”
The trade was made late Friday with the Toronto Argonauts to reacquire defensive lineman Orimolade, who was lost by the Stampeders on the first day of 2023 CFL free agency, in exchange for star linebacker Cameron Judge.
And in particular, the move makes the defensive line — anchored by Rose — better, which is especially important given the misadventures of the unit during the 5-12-1 season that was for the team.
What’s gained in getting Orimolade?
The Stamps are pressed to improve a defensive line that wasn’t getting enough pressure on opposition QBs and proved horrible at defending against the run during the 2024 campaign.
After being touted a sack-master extraordinaire, rush end James Vaughters has been a disappointment with just 10 sacks in 24 games after returning from the NFL in 2023. He needs to be jump-started.
Last year as a team, only the Winnipeg Blue Bombers produced fewer QB take-downs, with 26, than the Stampeders with 32. And sacking the quarterback is among the primary duties of defensive linemen.
Meanwhile, opponents ripped through the Stamps defence with their ground attack. In 2024, the Stampeders allowed 2,260 rushing yards — more than 1,100 worse than the next most porous unit in the CFL — and 6.6 rushing yards per carry, nearly a full yard more than the next team in the loop.
So building up the d-line has become a priority for the Red and White.
With Orimolade, who returns at age 29 to the Stamps, they’ve quite possibly addressed a couple of those issues.
His arrival can take the pressure off Vaughters, helping him rediscover his touch as a terrorizer of quarterbacks and — perhaps — giving the unit a pair of QB heat-seekers to throw off the opposition’s offensive line.
Defending against the run is still a work in progress.
Ormiolade’s resume
Orimolade played 31 regular-season games over three seasons with the Stampeders (2018, ’21-22) before signing with the Argonauts as a free agent two years ago.
The NCAA Dartmouth Big Green star was a member of the Stampeders’ Grey Cup-winning team in 2018 and contributed two special-teams tackles and a fumble recovery in the championship game.
“First of all, he’s from Dartmouth,” said Dickenson of the Ivy League school graduate. “There’s not that many super-smart guys willing to beat their head up and go after it playing football.”
The 5-foot-9, 229-lb. Washington, D.C. native then added a second Grey Cup ring with the Argos in November.
In 63 career CFL regular-season games, Orimolade has registered 105 defensive tackles including seven tackles for loss, 26 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 11 special-teams tackles, one knockdown and two interceptions, including a pick-six.
He was an East Division all-star in 2023.
Orimolade also has 11 defensive tackles and four sacks in seven career post-season contests.
What’s lost in trading away Judge?
Like the old adage goes, you’ve got to give up something to get something.
And Judge really is something.
The 30-year-old Montreal native recorded 73 defensive tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble with the Stamps during the 2024 CFL campaign, starting all 18 regular-season games at weak-side linebacker.
The 2022 CFL all-star was arguably the most consistent and effective defensive player during his three years with the team since being acquired from the Argos in exchange for solid defensive back Royce Metchie.
“Cam was a great soldier for us,” Dickenson said. “We wish him well.”
Judge played 52 regular-season contests over three seasons with the Stampeders, amassing 241 tackles, eight sacks, seven interceptions, five forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.
And the trade marks a return to the Argos for the star defender.
“We are very excited to have Cam back in Toronto,” said Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. “Cam brings playmaking abilities, a competitive spirit and veteran leadership to work with him every day and is constantly making his teammates around him better.”
But the Stamps must feel it’s easier to find a stud linebacker — although Judge is a coveted Canadian one — than an effective pass-rusher with a penchant for getting to the quarterback.
Orimolade does come at a higher price tag, as the highest-paid defensive lineman — at $240,000 — in the CFL last season.
Judge, meanwhile, made $186,000.
Both are under contract through 2025.