Matt Carson is a big step closer to launching a pro football career.
On Sunday, the KSS grad was selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the eighth round (63rd overall) of the CFL draft.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound lineman played three seasons with the Owls before joining the University of Calgary Dinos program as a redshirt in 2011.
Carson, who didn’t pick up the game until high school, has been part of the Dinos’ defensive line rotation for the last three seasons.
In 2016, he played in all regular and post-season games for Calgary, recording seven solo tackles, seven assisted tackles as well as a pair of quarterback sacks.
“Matt has worked hard to achieve this,” said Dinos’ coach Wayne Harris. “We are very happy for him to get the chance to play at the next level.”
Carson played in last November’s Vanier Cup championshhip game which saw the Dinos lose a hard-fought 31-26 decision to the University of Laval Rouge et Or.
Carson will have company in Toronto as teammate Robbie Woodson was also drafted by the Argos, while former teammate Sean McEwen is Toronto’s starting centre.
Carson’s father, Paul, is a former president of the Okanagan Sun football team and played for the Dinos from 1985 to 89.
Paul currently serves as offensive line coach with the Dinos since moving back to Calgary from Kelowna two years ago.