Michiko Araki
Alongside long-time Lion and linebacker Jason Arakgi, another Lion is proving to be a key player on the special teams unit this season.
Boseko Lokombo, known as Bo to teammates, has been all over the field, making tackles left, right, and centre en route to being the top special teams tackler on the team so far this season.
“Bo is that guy who is everywhere on the field,” says Jason Arakgi of his teammate. “He’s a great athlete, he hustles, and he makes up for it – he makes a lot of plays on special teams and it’s helped us a lot.”
Prior to seeing success on special teams, the second year linebacker from Abbotsford, BC was drafted by the Lions in 2013 in the third round at 21st overall, but joined the Lions last season after finishing his senior year of college football with the University of Oregon. After joining the Lions late last season, Bo was placed on the 1-game injured list for a week before appearing in the last seven regular season games, where he recorded 9 special teams tackles.
Fast forward to today, and Bo has been a key piece to special teams, knotching 22 special teams tackles,16 defensive tackles, and a sack so far this season – and he’s nowhere close to being done.
With two regular season games left, Bo is currently tied for first place in the league in special teams tackles and is looking to end the season off strong with the team.
“It’s pretty cool,” he says about being tied for first place on special teams tackles in the league. “I really gotta thank the team and the special teams guys. It’s been a goal of mine that I’ve set for a long time, for this year, anyway. So it’s good to be able to contribute to the team. Last year I came in halfway through the season, so I only got the chance to play in seven games. This year, I got to go through training camp and I’m getting more playing time on defence so it’s given me the chance to get some more experience and understand how the defence fits together.”
Although it’s serious business on the field, Bo knows when to keep it light and have fun with the team.
“I’m a jokester. I like to make the guys around me laugh,” laughs Bo. That’s something that Jason can agree to as well.
“Bo’s a great teammate. Everyone in the locker room loves Bo, he just wants to help the team win. He cares about the guys he plays with. He’s a lot of fun, and he brings the energy level up on the field. I really like Bo, he’s a cool kid,” he says of his teammate.
For Bo, the secret to success so far with his time with the Lions has been patience and dedication. Patience in waiting to grow into a bigger role on the team, while also staying dedicated and working as hard as any other player on the field.
“You have to be dedicated. You have to be committed. [You have to] take it one day at a time,” he says.
With that, we’re looking forward to seeing Bo continue to succeed in his bigger role with the Lions.