Despite being born in the US, his Canadian parent meant Randy Colling was able to qualify as a National because of his dual citizenship and to be drafted sixth overall after three years in the Arena League.

Sunday, the long-ago, growing-up Tiger-Cat supporter’s football-playing son Randy, now a 26-year-old, 6-foot-2, 315-pound D-lineman with the Arena league’s Cleveland Gladiators, was selected sixth overall by the Calgary Stampeders in the annual CFL draft.
Colling graduated from Gannon University five years ago and has spent the last three seasons in the Arena league.
Like middle linebacker Alex Singleton, such a find as a starter during his freshman season last year, Colling is a U.S.-born talent with a Canadian family connection that resulted in dual citizenship.
“I know he has the ability,’’ says his dad. “And I think this is essential for his career at this point. Unfortunately, Randy came through a Division II school. The NFL just doesn’t have the time to teach you anything that you don’t know.
“If you don’t come from a big Division I school and they say ‘Do this drill’ or ‘Show me this technique’ and you don’t know, it’s ‘See ya.’
“From the quick homework I’ve been able to do, the Stampeders seem like a great club and the city seems to be a great destination for him. ...
In May of 2014, the CFL collective bargaining agreement changed to allow Canadian citizens to qualify as nationals. Which swung the door of opportunity wide open for both Singleton and, now, Colling.
“I wish I knew sooner he could’ve done this,’’ admits his dad, who still reportedly wears a Ticats winter coat and has a Darren Flutie jersey somewhere in the house. “We’d have initiated something a couple years ago. It was a long process. But I didn’t – and he didn’t – realize it was option he could actually pursue.”
At Quicken Loans Arena, known locally as The Q, Randy Colling shared digs with athletic royalty, King (LeBron) James, and last year earned all-star status with the Gladiators. ...
Stampeders GM John Hufnagel swung a deal with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to move up from the eighth slot to No. 6 in order to choose Colling. “He got into the draft a little later than everyone else did,’’ critiqued Hufnagel. “He graduated a few years ago, had a very productive college career and then went and played Arena football, an all-star in that league. Big man, powerful man. He can push the pocket, get penetration and give us great depth.”
The whole Colling family can’t wait. “Randy’s been to Hamilton a couple times, but never for a football game,’’ says Kirby. “So this is, in a way, kind of like going home again, to Canada. I’m just very, very excited he has this opportunity. And my dad … I’m sure he’s thrilled. He’s been gone 14 years now but I know he’s so happy. The only thing better is if he’d gone to Hamilton. But I’m sure that noise you’re hearing is him up in heaven, dancing.”.
http://www.stampeders.com/2017/05/07...born-love-cfl/