After being released from the Buffalo Bills on May 24, it did not take long for Cyrus Kouandjio to return to work. A native of Cameroon (Africa) and product of Maryland, goes from being a member of the AFC East to an impact contributor for the NFC North.
Kouandjio was signed to the Detroit Lions today, per the team’s website for transactions.
Along with Kouandjio, the Lions signed another former Southeastern Conference offensive lineman in getting Auburn standout, Greg Robinson. Injuries kept Kouandjio from reaching his true potential in Buffalo, after he became the fifth Crimson Tide offensive linemen selected in the first two rounds in six years. The second-round pick sustained both ankle and hip injuries, while he was linked to a weird situation on April 20.
On that day, Kouandjio was found undressed in a field surrounded by law enforcement yelling “shoot me” in Elma, N.Y. He would require medical attention and willfully turned himself in. Kouandjio now is on a team that finished near the bottom of the National Football League in both total offense (5,421 yards, 21st) and rushing offense (1,310 yards, 30th) a season ago.
Before getting drafted in 2014, Kouandjio lined up at left tackle for the University of Alabama from 2011-13. In three seasons, he would help the program win two BCS national championships and a SEC championship.
After assisting AJ McCarron to a 3,000-yard passing season and T.J. Yeldon to a 1,000-yard rushing campaign in 2013, Kouandjio would earn first team All-SEC and consensus All-American honors.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
