SMITHFIELD, R.I. – As Daniel Adeboboye barreled down the sideline for a 22-yard gain at the University at Albany, it's hard to imagine he didn't start playing competitive football until the eighth grade.
But that's the case for Bryant's first and (currently) only football player from Canada. Adeboboye grew up in Toronto wanting to be a basketball player but his dreams changed when he saw his older brother play for the first time in high school.
"The second I saw my brother play, my love for football grew," Adeboboye said. "It always felt like the most popular sport was basketball but that football was slowly starting to emerge."
Adeboboye's love for football and his ability level, however, drew him away from his home after his sophomore year in high school. Instead of finishing his final two years in Toronto, Adeboboye spent his last two years at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, helping raise his recruitment profile.
One of his recruiting stops was Bryant and the explosive back from Toronto was immediately in awe of the facilities on the Smithfield, Rhode Island campus. The Conaty Indoor Athletic Center, the Bulldog Strength and Conditioning Center, the Academic Innovation Center and Beirne Stadium all came into view as Adeboboye came onto campus.
"I remember seeing the Conaty Indoor and being amazed that an FCS school had a full-sized indoor field," Adeboboye said. "My parents and I were also impressed with the support that was available in the classroom. I felt comfortable knowing the support the school gave its students academically."
Once on campus, Adeboboye made an immediate impact on the field. He carried the ball nine times in each of the first three games of the season and scored touchdowns in back-to-back games against Marist and Robert Morris. Adeboboye, however, saw just 10 carries over the next six weeks before posting nine rushes for 70 yards and a touchdown in the season finale at Howard.
That performance showed the potential Adeboboye had. It also provided a kick start to what was a big offseason.
"I was very blessed to get the opportunity to play as a true freshman, and although I had a few good moments, I also had moments that showed me where I needed to improve in order to take my game to the next level," Adeboboye said.
Adeboboye worked with Bryant's strength coaches Craig Buckley and Kenny Pennini in the offseason, adding 20 pounds to his frame and becoming bigger and faster.
"Coach Buck and Coach Ken helped me to get bigger, faster and stronger, allowing me to be more explosive out of the backfield but also to better in pass protection," Adeboboye said. "I hope to showcase how hard I worked in the weight room and also that I can be a tough runner between the tackles."
Through the first two weeks, Adeboboye has been the bell cow for the Black and Gold, rushing for 132 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries. He posted a career-high 21 carries in the season opener at Stony Brook and then rushed for a career-high 79 yards on 16 carries at Albany. Adeboboye showcased his ability to run between tackles with hard-earned yards at Stony Brook and then displayed his speed with the 22-yard scamper at Albany.
"The biggest focus through the first two games of the season was to let everyone know that I am a guy who can be a tough runner when given the ball," Adeboboye said. "Our entire offensive line worked hard this offseason and people need to know that we can run the ball effectively at any point in the game."
