Hosam Shahin showed up at Hugh Boyd secondary school in his Grade 10 year having never played organized football before. He not only went on to earn a full-ride scholarship to an NCAA Division One program but now has a pathway to a professional career.
Last week, the former Trojan standout was selected 14th overall by the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL Draft. Shahin will be entering his senior season this fall at Rice University where he is coming off a career best campaign that saw him record 45 tackles and six sacks as the Owls starting defensive tackle. The 6-foot-3 290-pounder is on a full-ride scholarship at the Houston, Texas school. He red shirted his freshman season, therefore making him eligible for the CFL draft as four-year player at the university level.
"He's a pick for the future," said Alouettes general manager Jim Popp. "He's a solid hard nose interior guy."
Despite his lack of experience, Shahin quickly became a dominant force in the Trojans program, first working under junior varsity head coach Peter Adams then senior coach Bruce Haddow.
He helped Boyd win the provincial junior championship in 2006 then was a key member of a senior team that reach the quarter-finals in his senior year. He was credited with 63 tackles, including eight sacks, and was listed on Scout. com's Northwest Hot 100 list.
He potentially could be lining up alongside another Richmond native in the Alouettes starting defence. Middle linebacker Shea Emry was a CFL all-star last season.
