Weber State University Athletics
Tsoumpas Taken 2nd Overall in CFL Draft
4/30/2008 6:00:00 AM | Football
Tsoumpas becomes the third player in Weber State football history to be among the first TWO OVERALL picks in the CFL draft. The Wildcats have had TWO player's taken as the NUMBER ONE pick in the CFL draft. In 1986 it was tight end Gerald Wilcox by the Ottawa Rough Riders and in 1991 it was offensive tackle Bruce Covernton by the Calgary Stampeders.
Tsoumpas signed with the Wildcats in February of 2004 and as a first year freshman was a starter in the first two games of the season before an injury sidelined him for four games. He came back and played in the final five contests and was a starter in the final three and was a starter in the next 36 straight games. His first season was under head coach Jerry Graybeal and his last three under head coach Ron McBride. He earned Honorable Mention All-Big Sky Conference honors as a junior and Second Team All-Big Sky Conference honors this past season as a senior.
"Dimitri is a tough competitor," said McBride. "He has great footwork, what I call a great motor, and was one of the strongest players on our team. He and David Hale made a formidable duo on the right side of our line I expect him to become a solid player for the Stampeders."
Tsoumpas was part of a Wildcat offensive line which allowed the fewest quarterback sacks (12) in the Big Sky Conference this past season. WSU had produced the leading rusher (RB Trevyn Smith) in the Big Sky Conference each of the last two seasons and Tsoumpas played a large role in Smith's success. Tsoumpas' teammate at right tackle, David Hale, was taken by the Baltimore Ravens in the 4th round of last Saturday's NFL draft.
