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Shepley signs multi-year deal to play for CFL's Roughriders

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Windsor’s Dakoda Shepley will gladly trade the uncertainty of chasing an National Football League dream for the certainty of being on the field in the Canadian Football League.

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The 24-year-old Shepley has signed a two-year deal, which includes a club option for a third season, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who took him in the first round with the fifth pick overall in last year’s CFL Draft.

“As far as signing, it was clear it was for me,” said the six-foot-four, 310-pound Shepley, who is a Holy Names high school product. “I had opportunities in the NFL still, but I think, clearly, the uncertainty that comes with the NFL, for a Canadian like me, wasn’t as appealing as going to a team that drafted me in the first round in the CFL.”

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That’s not to say that, somewhere down the road, Shepley might have the opportunity to explore playing in the NFL again.

“There was a lot of opportunity to keep pushing and trying for the NFL, but, at the end of day, I’m happy to settle down with Saskatchewan and committed fully and getting my mind right,” Shepley said. “At the end of the day, I’m a football player and that’s what I need to do.

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“I don’t feel I’m closing any doors. I’m just taking a different route, if that’s the road I choose, but I’m super committed and happy to be committed to the CFL.”

Shepley won a Vanier Cup with the University of British Columbia and was a Canada West all-star before being drafted by the Roughriders.

However, he opted to pursue an NFL roster spot and signed a free-agent deal with the New York Jets, but was cut after three exhibition games.

He headed to Saskatchewan and spent five days with the Roughriders before returning home.

“It was just to get a feel for the guys,” Shepley said of his time with the Roughriders. “They wanted me to come in and sign for the rest of the season, but I still had opportunities and didn’t want to close that door right then. It was a good experience just the same.”

While his preferred position is right guard, Shepley has played across the line throughout his career and is open to whatever the Roughriders need from him.

“I’ve played either side (of centre) or in the middle,” said Shepley, who reports to rookie training camp on May 15th. “It seems that’s the way it’s gone my whole career. I’ll play where I’m needed and I’m fine with that.”

jpparker@postmedia.com

twitter.com/winstarparker

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