Flashback, May 6th, 2013: RedBlacks draft Kalonji Kashama in the Third Round of the College Draft

The RedBlacks continued to build along the trenches during their first college draft.

Does the Kashama name seem familiar?  It might; Kalonji's three older brothers have played professionally.  It doesn't get mentioned much in his bios, but brother Hakeem Kashama was briefly an Ottawa Renegade.  He had signed on before the 2006 season that never was and was picked by Winnipeg in the dispersal draft.

As for Connor Williams, let's retain some of Kashama's Eastern Michigan bio for future reference...

Full name: Kalonji Sylvain Kashama.

2012: Started 11 games for the Eagles at defensive end...Recorded 30 tackles including three sacks...Forced two fumbles, one sack and five solo tackles at Purdue (Oct. 15).

2011: Appeared in all 12 games, earning four starts for the Eagles...Recorded 28 total tackles (10 solo & 18 assisted), 1.5 sacks, four QB hurries and one pass breakup...Had 3.5 tackles for loss on the season...Notched a season high four total tackles at Michigan (Sept. 17)...

2010: Earned his first letter after redshirting as a freshman in 2009...Played in 11 games, earning eight starts on the defensive line...Finished the year with 14 tackles, three tackles-for-loss of 11 yards and two sacks for 10 yards...Turned in four tackles in his collegiate debut, Sept. 4 against Army...Second-best effort was a three-tackle effort at Ball State (Oct. 16), including 1.5 sacks for five yards...

HIGH SCHOOL:  Graduated from Notre Dame H.S. in Brampton, Ontario, Canada where he played football for Head Coach Dario Pretto...Was a member of the Honor Roll...Earned four varsity letters in football and three each in basketball and track...Played at Avondale H.S. in Decatur, Ga. in his final season of high school football...Avondale’s Head Coach was his brother, Hakeem Kashama...Senior Year:  Named one of the Top 20 Players in the Greater Toronto area...Junior Year: Finished his 11th grade in Canada where he played at Notre Dame School in Brampton, Ontario...Picked for the Greater Toronto Area All-Star team and was named one of the Top 20 Players in the Greater Toronto area...Had 14 sacks with 71 tackles on defense and also played offensive receiver....Sophomore Year:  Named one of the Top 20 Players in the Greater Toronto area...Freshman Year: Lettered in football and helped the team win the conference championship.

All very nice, but let's let the man tell us about himself:



In light of his size (6'04" / 270), experience and blood lines, I'm surprised he lasted until the end of the 3rd round.  Hope to see Kashama wearing the "R" next spring.