Gassama plays to his strengths at combine

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This article was published 21/03/2024 (926 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AK Gassama knows there are more imposing players at the CFL combine.

The 5-11 175-pound receiver knows his 8 5/8-inch hands, 30-inch long arms and 72 1/2-inch wingspan are all less than ideal measurements to teams seeking their next playmaker.

He knows five reps of 225 pounds on the bench press certainly didn’t “wow” anyone, including himself, at the Fort Garry Hotel Thursday afternoon.

Gassama also knows he’s not worried about it.

The University of Manitoba Bison standout wants to impress with his ability on the field and in the meeting room instead this week.

Gassama hopes he did just that while interviewing with a pair of teams — one of them being the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — and going through a series of tests to measure his agility and speed on Thursday.

“I know my game isn’t about how many bench presses I can put up. It’s what I do on the field and creating separation so I’m really looking forward to going out there and showing the coaches what my skillsets are,” Gassama said after leaping 34 1/2 inches in the vertical jump test.

That includes pulling back the curtain to show teams what he’s like when the helmet comes off — a test Gassama’s bright personality should allow him to pass with flying colours.

“I think the interview is probably one of the most important parts because everybody here is an elite athlete, right? They’ve done their job — 80 per cent of this interview is complete — so now they want to know who you are as a person,” he said. “I want people to know who I am, what I represent, what I believe in and what I’m going to bring to any organization that picks me.”

Gassama met with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders brass Thursday morning.

The 24-year-old was picked and prodded with questions about his personal life — one that began in Sierra Leone during a civil war and continued in Winnipeg’s inner-city while he found football — his football acumen and his future in the league.

One of the more light-hearted questions came when asked to describe his favourite play in university.

It was a tough decision at the moment that led him to describe a play the Bisons ran often this season, Gassama conceded, but his answer was more detailed when a team asked what challenges he sees for himself in the professional league.

“A lot of coaches, they’re going to look at me and they’re going to look at my stature. That’s always been a thing, but I don’t think that’s my game. My game is all about speed and creating separation, so when it comes to those things, I think it’s best that you know yourself,” Gassama said.

“I want to be able to show coaches that I’m a complete receiver, that I can run every route on the route tree and I can create separation. That’s my biggest goal this week is showing coaches and scouts and proving to myself that the work that I’ve put in has allowed me to be that complete receiver.”

Players’ 40-yard time, agility and broad jump were tested at the Winnipeg Soccer Federation North Thursday evening. On-field practices continue Friday through Sunday for teams to see what players can do beyond testing.

The week goes by in a flash, Gassama knows that. His teammates — current and former — each had the same piece of advice: enjoy the moment.

“I’m just grateful that I’m being recognized for the work I’ve put in,” Gassama said. “Coming from where I come from, it’s a dream until you’re here and now you have a chance to make it a reality.

“I really just want to take advantage of every moment, be in the moment, and to everyone who’s supported me… I do it for them.”

joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca

X:@jfreysam