Born: | London, Ontario, Canada | October 23, 1999
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Career information | |
Status | Active |
CFL status | National |
Position(s) | Defensive back |
Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
Weight | 176 lb (80 kg) |
University | Western |
High school | Catholic Central (London, ON) |
CFL draft | 2022, Round: 4, Pick: 31 |
Drafted by | Ottawa Redblacks |
Career history | |
As player | |
2022– 2023 | Ottawa Redblacks* |
2023 | Montreal Alouettes* |
2023 | Toronto Argonauts |
*Offseason and/or practice roster member only | |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Career stats | |
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Daniel Valente Jr. (born October 23, 1999) is a Canadian football defensive back who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played U Sports football at Western. He has also been a member of the Ottawa Redblacks and Montreal Alouettes.
Daniel Valente Jr. played high school football at Catholic Central High School in London, Ontario. [1] [2] He played junior football for the London Junior Mustangs of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and was a multi-time OVFL all-star. [2] [3] Valente also represented Team Canada in the U-19 International Bowl against the United States on January 28, 2017. [2] [4]
Valente played U Sports football at Western from 2017 to 2022. [1] Western won the 53rd Vanier Cup in 2017 and the 56th Vanier Cup in 2021. In 2021, Valente earned first team All-Canadian and first team All- Ontario University Athletics (OUA) honors while also being named the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Game of the 56th Vanier Cup. [1] After spending time with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL), Valente returned to Western for his final season of U Sports football in 2022. [5] In 2022, he again garnered first team All-Canadian and first team All-OUA recognition while also being named the OUA's Outstanding Stand-Up Defensive Player of the Year. [1]
Valente was selected by the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the fourth round, with the 31st overall pick, of the 2022 CFL Draft. [6] He signed with the team on May 9, 2022. [7] He was moved to the practice roster on June 5, released from the practice roster on July 7, re-signed to the practice roster on July 12, and released from the practice roster on July 19, 2022, returning to Western for his final season of U Sports football. [8] [9] Valente re-signed with the Redblacks on December 7, 2022. [7] He was released on June 9, 2023, and signed to the practice roster on June 26 before being released on August 15, 2023. [10]
Valente was signed to the practice roster of the Montreal Alouettes on August 29, 2023, and released by the team on September 28, 2023. [11] [12]
Valente was signed to the Toronto Argonauts' practice roster on October 2, 2023. [13] He was promoted to the active roster on October 27 and played in one game for the Argonauts but did not record any statistics. [13] [14] He was placed on injured reserve on November 10, 2023. [13] Valente re-signed with the team for the 2024 season, but was released at the start of training camp on May 15, 2024. [15]