MONTREAL, CANADA - JUNE 12: The Toronto Argonauts open their 2026 CFL regular season on the road against the Montreal Alouettes at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. (Photo by: James Paddle-Grant/Toronto Argonauts)
It’s easy to imagine that the above transaction caused even a slight ripple of interest when it was posted. On January 26, the Toronto Argonauts added American defensive back Owen Goss to the roster, a player virtually unknown in CFL circles, but the soon-to-be 25-year-old is starting to change that profile.
Goss enrolled at Colgate University after a perfect senior season at Hinsdale Central High School, located about 10 kilometres due west of Chicago Midway Airport. Remarkably, the cornerback allowed receivers to catch a grand total of zero passes throughout the entire season.
The next stop on his journey was Colgate University, where he once, also remarkably, blocked three kicks in the same game. He was named First Team All-Patriot League before finding his way to the University of Arizona, where he’d play his final season of NCAA football in 2024.
Now Goss’ travels have taken him to Toronto, trying to establish himself as a CFL player. He’s done a nice job so far, making his mark on special teams, then starting the last two games at weakside linebacker, the position he’ll find himself in once again on Saturday when the Argos play the Lions in Vancouver.
Whether he starts will be determined by the health of Cameron Judge, who is listed as the starter, but is a game-time decision.
“It’s been a blast so far,” Goss said of his Canadian experience to date, “I didn’t know what to expect, honestly. I didn’t have any previous understanding of the CFL, so it’s been a whirlwind. I feel like I’m adjusting pretty well.”
He has been. Goss has played well on special teams, while in his two starts at WILL he’s recorded a half-dozen defensive tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack, while also contributing on specials.
But to continue starting means he’ll have to take the job of either Judge or Isaac Darkangelo, both of whom have also played well. One may think that the veterans would be wary of a talented newcomer gunning for their jobs, but Goss told Argonauts.ca that hasn’t been the case.
“It’s been the complete opposite,” said the rookie. “They’ve helped me an incredible amount. Extra meetings, whatever it might be on the field, making sure I’m doing everything right; they’re being selfless making sure I’m right with everything.”
There’s a lot to learn, especially for someone with zero experience with three-down football and is also new to the pro game. Goss says he’s not working off a completely blank page because of his final year of college ball.
“I kind of played a similar position at Arizona,” he explained. “That’s helped me for sure. I feel like I’ve adjusted very well, not really having my head spinning as much as it was for maybe the first week of camp or so.”
Along with his rookie camp experience, Goss points to playing special teams as a big part of his pro progress.
“Special teams in the CFL, people don’t realize how difficult it is,” he explained. “I’m still getting my wind, still getting used to the conditioning; you’ve got 30 plays. The difference is that it’s grown men out here. Every single player on special teams was a great player in college; that’s a whole battle in and of itself.”
Now he’s getting a chance to show off what he can do. The contributions he’s made at WILL, coupled with special team plays like the fumble he forced in Montreal in the season opener, have caught people’s attention.
“The position I’m playing, I can have eyes on the backfield a little bit more, I can just feel the game. That was one thing at Arizona my coaches homed in on a ton, to just have a feel for the game. This position really allows me to do that, this is fun.”
The University of Arizona has been kind to the Argos over the years. Players like Chris Schultz and Rob Waldrop were impact players back in the day, while Goss’ new teammate Paris Shand played there for three seasons before transferring to LSU.
But there’s one person connected to the Argos that definitely caught the attention of Goss before he arrived in Toronto, the person that’s easily the all-time leading rusher in Wildcat history; running backs coach Ka’Deem Carey.
“I made sure first day to go up and talk to him,” said a broadly smiling Goss. “Coach Ka’Deem is a legend in Arizona. I told him we’ve got to go to the Arizona State game this year because he still lives in Tucson. Hopefully we’ll be able to go to that game together.”
The timing works out. The Wildcats don’t play the Sun Devils until November 28th, 13 days after the Argos are hoping to play their final game of the season, the 113th Grey Cup game in Calgary.