The Oxford dictionary defines the word frustration as, “The feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something.”
It’s probably the best word to describe Enock Makonzo’s CFL experience to date.
Injuries have dominated the Lachine, Quebec native’s career so far. He’s missed each of the last two seasons with separate injuries, a frustrating development after being selected fourth overall in the 2023 draft.
Makonzo, who is best as a safety, weakside, or strongside linebacker, signed with the Toronto Argonauts as a free agent on February 18 and would like nothing better than to make his presence felt on the field.
“I’m back to top shape,” he told Argonauts.ca. “I’m good, mentally, physically, spiritually, I’m all set and ready to go.”
Hearing Makonzo proclaim his all-around health is great news. To be fair, he deserves to be in a good place after his horrendously bad luck in terms of injuries.
His health woes began at Coastal Carolina in 2019 when he tore his ACL in an early-season game. He suffered a non-contact injury in 2023 in Edmonton, breaking his foot during practice. After signing with Hamilton in 2024, he tore his Achilles tendon during training camp, then last year he suffered a severe elbow injury with Winnipeg that kept him out of the lineup all season.
Four major injuries, each one different. Four years in the league with just 22 games played, 16 of them coming in his rookie season.
Understandably, he can’t wait for training camp to open so he can put the helmet on again and get another chance to show how good he is.
“I’m like a kid again, getting goosebumps and butterflies,” he said. “Just having the opportunity to be out there, that’s the blessing, just to be out there and enjoy every little moment, every second of just being out there and practicing. Sometimes I think that’s one thing we tend to take for granted, I don’t have to be there; I get to be there.”
Teams could be forgiven if they hesitated in offering Makonzo a contract, given his injury history. The Argos didn’t hesitate at all, and it was one of the reasons that saw him sign with them.
“Toronto was the first team that was actually willing to give me an opportunity as soon as free agency opened,” he explained. “I liked what I heard from the coach (Mike Miller) and what they were trying to build over there. To me it was a no brainer that it could be a place where I can get a new, fresh start.”
Defensive Coordinator Greg Quick is thrilled that Makonzo opted to join the Double Blue. He remembers how dominant he was at Coastal Carolina, followed by a strong rookie season in Edmonton.
“I mean, 150 tackles (in two seasons) in college, 21.5 tackles for loss,” Quick recalled. “Those aren’t just pedestrian numbers, those are outstanding. He showed that he could play, then came (to the CFL) and right away he played well and then came the injury bug and knocked him cold.”
Quick likes what Makonzo can bring to the lineup, but knows there are more layers to the signing. He understands what the player has gone through and how that resilience can be a benefit to the locker room culture.
“This is a kid that’s a fighter,” Quick told Argonauts.ca. “That’s the kind of guy we want to be Argos. We want guys that are going to test themselves and overcome. To me there’s no risk (with the signing), Enock is the kind of guy that’s going to make us be at our best and we can’t go wrong with a young man like that.”
Makonzo’s versatility is one of his strong suits, but where does he fit in with the Argos? The WILL and SAM spots will be filled by Cameron Judge and Adarius Pickett, which means his best opportunity to start will be to challenge incumbent Derek Slywka (along with a handful of American newcomers) at safety.
This battle, along with several others, will be waged when full training camp opens on May 10. It’s hard to imagine that on that day anyone will be happier to be on the field than Makonzo.