Renegades lock up second round pick from 2004 draft
March 14, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
OTTAWA â The Ottawa Renegades Football Club announced the signing of Christian Leibl-Cote Monday, a Canadian offensive lineman that the team selected in the second round (12th overall) of the 2004 Canadian College Draft.
Cote, 24, returned to University of New Hampshire last fall for his final year of university eligibility and was a starter and senior leader on the Wildcats offensive line. He played left tackle at the division one level, after moving from tight end for his last three seasons. He was part of the 2003 pass protecting unit that allowed the fewest sacks in the Atlantic 10 conference and helped the offence average over 400 yards (414.0) per game.
"The thing we really like about Christian is that he is an aggressive, active, athletic young man," said Joe Paopao, head coach and general manager of the Renegades. "He is advanced in his technique and that's something we saw when we scouted him â for a young player, he is ahead of his years."
Investing in youth has been part of the draft strategy the Renegades have employed since entering the CFL in 2002.
"We have been fortunate that some of the guys we picked for the future are now coming to us," added Paopao, referring to Cote and Matt Kirk (fifth round pick from the 2004 draft who will also be coming to training camp in May). "Guys like Christian got another year under their belt in college and matured."
Cote was born in Quebec City and played at Champlain Regional College (Lennoxville) in his native province's Eastern Townships region before securing a NCAA scholarship. As a tight end at the CEGEP level, he caught 24 passes for 311 yards in his senior season â the same year he was named the team's offensive MVP and league all-star.
"I'm really excited. This is the perfect opportunity for me and the team I wanted to go to," said Cote, also a strong student who was part of the conference's All-Academic team. "Everybody has told me Ottawa is a great city to live in and it's a team that I have followed. I know we can do well next year and in the future."
Cote, who measure 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, was a business administration major at University of New Hampshire.
Canadian Football League Stories from March 14, 2005
- Eskimos sign Khari Jones - Edmonton Elks
- Riders sign Canadain receiver - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- BC Lions Felions to hold 2005 dance team tryouts - B.C. Lions
- Another familiar face back for training camp - Toronto Argonauts
- Renegades lock up second round pick from 2004 draft - Ottawa Renegades
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