The Toronto Argonauts have signed offensive lineman Joel Reinders.Philip Cheung/The Globe and Mail
Offensive lineman Joel Reinders and the Toronto Argonauts agreed to a contract on Tuesday, the CFL club announced.
Toronto originally selected Reinders in the fourth round, 26th overall, in the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft.
"Joel was a highly rated player in 2010 who had signed with the Cleveland Browns and, as a result, fell to the fourth round of our draft," said Argos general manager Jim Barker in a statement. "After a few NFL camps, we feel he's ready to come to our team to both compete and contribute.
"He brings both great size and athleticism, and we're excited to be able to make him a member of the Toronto Argonauts."
Reinders, from Oakville, Ont., first played football while attending the University of Waterloo. He dressed for just two seasons, after first enrolling as a basketball player, and earned CIS all-star at right tackle in his first year.
The six-foot-eight Reinders caught the attention of scouts and was signed by Cleveland Browns before he could be drafted into the CFL by the Argonauts.
Most recently, he spent 2012 training camp with the New York Giants. The 24-year old attended CFL Evaluation Camp in March of 2010.
"It's a huge honour to have an opportunity to play for the team that I grew up watching," said Reinders. "Being an Argonaut means I get to perform in front of all of my friends and family, which I'm very excited about.
"I love to play football and I'm blessed to be healthy and get an opportunity to compete at this level."