Neumann's Notes: Learning His Craft

CALGARY – University of Calgary Dinos freshman running back Eri Olarubofin is making up for his late start in football. 

The 18-year-old product of the Stampeders program in the Calgary Minor Football Association did not start playing competitive football until Grade 7, previously focusing on basketball and soccer - sports prevalent in Nigeria, where he was born. 

"My mother did not want me playing football because she said it was too dangerous," the Calgary rookie stated. 

The Dinos coaching staff are glad she relented.  

Just three weeks into the Canada West season, Olarubofin has rushed for 211 yards on 25 carries with a conference-leading average of 8.7 yards per carry. 

"Eri has caught on to what we are trying to do very quickly. He works hard, studies film, and knows his playbook," stated Dinos veteran running back coach Gino DiVincentis, who coached many outstanding running backs during tenure with the Dinos. "He reads defenses well, is prepared when he steps on the field, and asks questions."

Olarubofin's role model is former University of Calgary running back and current Calgary Stampeder Jeshrun Antwi, who he met a couple of times and had as a coach at a Dinos youth camp. 

After seeing limited action in the Dinos first league game against the University of Regina Rams, Eri took over as lead running back midway through the Dinos 15-14 win over the University of Manitoba Bisons when senior tailback Matthieu Clarke suffered an injury. 

Olarubofin is quick to appreciate his offensive line and realizes he has more learning to do. 

"My offensive line has been great and has allowed me to run," stated the 6-foot-1, 193-pound graduate of Lord Beaverbrook High School in Calgary. "The attention to detail is so important at this level. One can not take any plays off at this level," stated Olarubofin, who moved to Canada just shy of his sixth birthday, settling in Winnipeg for three years before the family moved to Calgary.  

An excellent student, Eri spoke with the Universities of Alberta, British Columbia and Toronto, but did not make any official visits preferring to stay close to his parents and two sisters. 

Olarubofin is in his first year of General Arts courses at the UofC and is hoping to pursue career in Nursing. 

"A nurse always has a job," stated the soft-spoken Olarubofin.