After two-year injury, cornerback’s comeback inspires Western Mustangs coach

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In one of the final practices before Western’s football opener last week, Kojo Odoom jumped high to make an interception.

He landed on the Western Alumni Stadium turf with a thud. Everyone who knew the all-star cornerback had sat out two straight years due to knee issues held their collective breath.

“Your heart goes in your throat,” Mustangs defensive co-ordinator Paul Gleason said. “He had already got dinged up and missed the first part of training camp. But he got up and I went over and gave him a hug.

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“I told him, ‘Welcome back. I know you’re back now.’ That’s the old Kojo.”

Odoom started in Western’s 38-11 road win last weekend in Ottawa. It was his first real university football action since helping beat Saskatchewan in the Vanier Cup on an icy field at Laval in 2021.

“It was a great feeling to be back out there competing with my guys and getting back to it,” the 23-year-old Surrey, B.C., native said ahead of the Mustangs’ home opener against Waterloo Sunday at 7 p.m. “The best part was having my teammates beside me supporting me and also the help from my family. In tough times, you regress to progress. No story is ever going to be easy.

“When you’re faced with adversity, you show what you’re made of. There really wasn’t any other choice. I wasn’t going to let this stand in the way of my goals.”

Odoom suffered a freak injury during training camp in 2022, the year Western fell just short of playing in the Vanier Cup at home. He underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction before meniscus issues popped up.

“That meant having to do surgery again,” Gleason said. “We’ve had a lot of players go through ACLs, as every team does. It’s part of the game. But not a two-season one like this and he came in as our shut-down corner. You lose a quality, star-type player in back-to-back years, it’s tough.

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“He’s a great kid and wants to play at the next level. He’s good enough to do it and this set back his schedule.”

But it gave Odoom some perspective. He has been talking about the possibility of teachers college and a Master’s degree after majoring in psychology.

He was able to attend a Canadian Football League regional combine earlier this year and proved he isn’t to be dismissed because of past injuries.

“I wanted to show more than just a sneak preview,” he said. “Physically, I’ve been in good shape to perform and compete for some time now. I was always going to keep playing football. It was more picking up the pieces when things didn’t go the way I wanted. That practice (Gleason referenced) was a confidence boost. I almost had two picks in it. It’s one thing to be out there, but another to be flying around making plays.

“And to share that moment with (his defensive co-ordinator) was special, for sure.”

Odoom’s presence only adds to an experienced and talented defensive secondary. The Mustangs held the Gee-Gees to just 92 passing yards and made three second-half interceptions when the game still hung in the balance.

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Fellow corner Richard Aduboffour is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound problem for receivers and safety Jackson Findlay is one of the best defensive players in the country.

“It’s awesome to be competing with guys of that skill level,” Odoom said. “The back end needs to be one of our best groups if we want to complete some of the goals we have. We want to progress and find our identity. When you’ve lost two years, there will always be a catchup mode and nothing will serve me better than more reps.

“But as far as strength, skill and knowledge of the game, I’ve definitely improved. I feel as a player and a person, I’ve progressed to unimaginable heights.”

rpyette@postmedia.com

OUA FOOTBALL

Western (1-0) vs. Waterloo (0-1)

Mustangs 2024 home opener: Sunday, 7 p.m. at Western Alumni Stadium.

The matchup: Western is riding a 13-game win streak against the Warriors, who are coached by former Mustangs assistant and London native Chris Bertoia.

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