TORONTO – The defending, 19-time Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts announced that former East Stroudsburg University All-America defensive end Deshawn McCarthy '24 has signed a contract for the 2025 season.
McCarthy, a three-time All-PSAC East First Team pick and a 2021 AFCA All-America First Team selection, ranks among the most prolific pass rushers in ESU history.
"I'm beyond excited that I'll be playing professional football in Canada!" said McCarthy of his first pro contract. "This is an incredible opportunity, and I can't wait to represent my team and compete in the CFL. I'm eager to learn, grow, and contribute to the Toronto Argonauts."
A Philadelphia native, McCarthy finished his storied ESU career ranked third in school annals with 31 sacks, only two behind program record-holders Des Hussey (1988-91) and Bill Camp (1981-84). In 43 career games, the athletic training major compiled 138 tackles, 51 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 14 passes defended.
After posting six sacks and two forced fumbles as a true freshman in 2019, McCarthy broke out as a sophomore in 2021 with 13 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss during his AFCA All-America campaign. He opened that season – following the COVID-19-canceled 2020 slate – with four sacks against Pace, the third-highest single-game total in ESU history.
Frequently facing double teams, McCarthy totaled 12 sacks over his final two seasons and disrupted opposing quarterbacks with nine pass breakups in his last 22 contests. Along with his PSAC and AFCA accolades, he was named to the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List, D2.Football.com Elite 100, D2CCA Super Region 1 Second Team, Shrine Bowl 1000, and Lindy's Sports Magazine Preseason All-Division II First Team.
McCarthy previously received a minicamp invitation from the Kansas City Chiefs in April 2024.
"We are all so excited for this wonderful opportunity for Deshawn McCarthy," said ESU head coach Jimmy Terwilliger. "I am very proud of his relentless work ethic and his positive contribution to our entire campus community. He is a TRUE WARRIOR. He has made himself and the people around him better. I am blessed to have coached him. He is a fine representative of East Stroudsburg and all of Division II football. We all wish him well in the CFL. This is what WARRIORS4Life is all about!"
He becomes the third known former Warrior to sign with a Canadian Football League franchise, joining Grey Seamans and Dell Walker. Two of McCarthy's former teammates, Tyler Watson (Bay Area Panthers, 2024-present) and Elias Marte (Green Bay Blizzard, 2024), spent last season in the Indoor Football League.
The Toronto Argonauts are the oldest existing professional sports team in North America still using its original name. They captured their 19th Grey Cup last season by defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 41-24.
Toronto opens the 2025 preseason on Saturday, May 24, against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and heads to the nation's capital for its regular-season opener on Friday, June 6, versus the Montreal Alouettes.
