Toronto high school star makes early statement in Bills debut

It’s been an eventful week for Stefan Charles.

Last Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills inked the 6’5, 323 pound defensive tackle of the Tennessee Titans practice squad.  Yesterday, he seized the opportunity when he played in the Bills’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Toronto, Ontario native didn’t look out of sorts as he tackled Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles two straight times in the second quarter of the game.

Signing with the Bills was a dream realized from Charles as he grew up idolizing the team.

Previous to signing with the Bills, Charles signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans after not being selected in the 2013 NFL Draft.  After he was cut from the training roster, the Titans signed him to the practice roster.  He remained on the practice roster for eight weeks up until this past Tuesday.

This past February, the 6’4, 324 defensive lineman from Oshawa, Ontario attended the NFL Regional Combine in Tampa, Florida.   Due to his performance at that event, Charles was invited to participate in the NFL Super Combine this past month in Dallas, Texas.

This past spring at  the CFL Combine in Toronto last month, the Ontario native posted a 37 inch Vertical Jump.  Charles was number 2 in the CFL’s Top 15 ranked prospects for the 2013 Draft.

Charles spent five seasons playing university football for the Regina Rams.  In 2011, the defensive lineman had a breakout season on the field.  He was recognized for his efforts on the field by being selected as a CIS First Team All-Canadian as well as a Canada West all-star. Moreover, Charles was chosen as a member of Team West that participated at the 2012 CIS East-West Bowl at Western University.

This past season, Charles missed games due to an injury.  However, the defensive lineman registered eight tackles (five solo, six assisted) in four regular season games with the Rams and six tackles (five solo, two assisted) as well as a sack in two playoff games. Charles is ranked fourth for Rams all-time sacks (9.5).

Prior to the Rams, the Ontario defensive lineman suited up for the Langley/Big Kahuna/Surrey Rams of the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC) in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).

Other teams Charles has played for during his career include Metro Toronto Wildcats of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and his high school team, Eastdale Eagles of the Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association (LOSSAA).

Photo credit:  Tennessee Titans Website (NFL)