April 30, 2012
NORFOLK, Va. - Former Monarch defensive lineman Deron Mayo (Hampton,Va.) is set to sign a free agent contract with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL it was announced on Monday.
"We are all excited for Deron Mayo and his signing with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL," said head coach Bobby Wilder. "Deron signed with the Denver Broncos for preseason of 2011 and unfortunately did not make the team. He has been training since that time and performed well enough in a workout with Calgary to be offered a contract for their 2012 season. His success as a student-athlete at Old Dominion in 2010 helped him with Calgary."
Choosing to play his final season of collegiate football at ODU in 2010 after Hofstra disbanded its program, Mayo was named a "Transfer to Watch" by the Sports Network and in a vote by his teammates, was named a Co-Captain, showing their respect for the defensive end with Mayo not even having played a game in the Monarch uniform.
In his senior 2010 campaign, Mayo was third on the ODU defense making 70 tackles and made five or more stops in 10 of the Monarchs' 11 games. He led the Monarchs in sacks, was second on the team in tackles for loss, forced a team-leading three fumbles, recorded a team second-best seven QB hurries, and tied for third among teammates with three pass break-ups. As a member of the special teams unit, Mayo blocked two kicks, including a punt at Hampton resulting in a Monarch score.
"I've been training non-stop to get a call since being released from Denver," said Mayo. "I've been up in Boston with my brother (New England Patriot's Jerod Mayo) and working as a personal trainer, not only working out the top athletes, but also continuing to work out to condition and prepare myself for the next call I would get. At the Calgary camp, I played both defensive end and linebacker and it's great to know I made an impression to receive an offer to play."
"I just want to thank everyone at Old Dominion for their support," he added.
The Stampeders are the third oldest active franchise in the CFL and have appeared in 12 Grey Cup Championship games last capturing the cup in 2008.