For Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Abdul Janneh Jr., the road to professional football almost went in a completely different direction.

For Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Abdul Janneh Jr., the road to professional football almost went in a completely different direction. Coming out of New Oxford Senior High School in Pennsylvania, Janneh had options. A multi-sport athlete, he excelled in basketball, football and track and field. But when the time came to choose a path after high school, football wasn’t initially the obvious answer.

“Basketball was always my main sport, and that’s what I thought I was gonna continue to do,” Janneh explained.

Everything changed late in his senior year when Duquesne University entered the recruiting picture.

“They came in very, very late in the process,” Janneh said. “I just took a chance. They were taking a chance on me, and I believed in myself, so I was gonna stick with football. Things ended up working out being here now.”

That leap of faith helped launch Janneh’s football career, but his basketball roots still stand out to teammates and coaches who remember his athleticism on the court. Janneh earned a reputation in high school as a highlight-reel dunker who could energize both teammates and crowds.

“It was amazing. We liked to put on a show back in high school. It was nice putting on a show for all my family and friends down there.”

His senior season also brought team success as New Oxford made a strong run.

“We ended up having a really good run my last year there, and we did well,” Janneh said.

Even now, Janneh still appreciates the thrill of throwing down a dunk.

“It’s fun. We mess around in practice sometimes, but actually doing it in a game and hearing all the fans scream and everything, it was a great feeling.”

At six-foot-two and 197 pounds, Janneh’s explosiveness on the basketball court has translated naturally to the football field, another example of how multi-sport athletes can bring unique skills to the CFL.

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