Chilliwack’s Diego Pineda may finally have settled on a post-secondary football home.
The GW Graham Grizzlies and Chilliwack Minor Football grad was listed among Simon Fraser University’s recruits on Wednesday’s national signing day.
Listed as a six-foot-four and 260 pound defensive tackle, Pineda joins the Clansmen after being previously linked to a handful of CIS schools.
Before graduating from GW Graham, Pineda had originally committed to the Guelph Gryphons.
But he ended up back in Chilliwack last season, playing for the CMFA midget Giants and BC Football Conference Langley Rams.
Not long ago, Pineda was thought to be prairie bound, going to play for the Regina Rams.
Perhaps the opportunity to get on the field and play meaningful snaps for an NCAA program appealed more.
“Based on our numbers and where we ended the season there will be opportunities for players to play right away and I think that was attractive to some individuals,” said SFU head coach and ex-BC Lion offensive lineman Kelly Bates. “They know they have a chance to come in and be a part of something immediately.”
SFU’s press release says Pineda has run the 40 yard dash in 4.95 seconds and bench pressed 315 pounds.
The SFU roster currently includes another Chilliwackian, junior running back Josh Hayden. Hayden ran the ball 35 times last year for 123 yards and a touchdown.
