Argos sign RB William Ford & DB/LS Anthony Lukca

The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is pleased to welcome former South Carolina State star RB William Ford and McGill University product DB/LS Anthony Lukca.

Ford was a three-time All-Conference choice at running back and, as a junior in 2008, was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. His four-year totals at SC State include 746 carries for 4,676 yards and 35 touchdowns.

Lukca was a four-year player at McGill University as both a long snapper and defensive back. He played in 29 career contests and made 180 total tackles with 7 interceptions. Lukca first learned his long snapping trade from former Argonaut and long-time NFL player J.P. Darche.

The Argonauts also announced today that RB DeCori Birmingham and 2010 CFL Canadian Draft pick LS Conor Elliott have both retired from football. Birmingham signed with Toronto as a free agent in the off-season and Elliott was the team’s sixth round pick, 44th overall, out of the University of Western Ontario.

William Ford #34
Running Back
5’8”, 195 lbs.
South Carolina State
Born: December 15, 1986
Travelers Rest, South Carolina
1st Year Argos / 1st Year CFL
Import

Acquired: Signed as a free agent with Toronto on June 9, 2010.

College: Played four years at South Carolina State (2006-09)…Career rushing totals include 746 carries for 4,676 yards and 35 TDs…2009 Named First-Team All-Conference for third straight season…Led team to second-straight undefeated record…Carried 197 times for 1,048 yards for 8 TDs…Caught 20 passes for 134 yards and 2 TDs…2008 Named Conference Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Conference…Carried a career-high 246 times for 1,499 yards and 13 TDs…Caught 17 passes for 72 yards and 0 TDs…2007 Named First-Team All-Conference…Carried 209 times for 1,377 yards and 4 TDs…Caught 12 passes for 95 yards and 1 TD…2006 Dressed in all 11 games as a freshman…Named Conference Rookie of the Year…Ran for 752 yards on 112 attempts and 10 TDs…Caught 4 passes for 55 yards and no TDs.

Personal: William was a star football player and track athlete in high school. He was a Nutrition major at South Carolina State and his parents are Joyce and William Ford Sr.

Anthony Lukca #49
Defensive Back/Long Snapper
5’9”, 191 lbs.
McGill
Born: May 11, 1986
St-Laurent, Quebec
1st Year Argos / 1st Year CFL
Non-Import

Acquired: Signed as a free agent with Toronto on June 10, 2010.

College: Played four seasons at McGill University as a defensive back and long snapper (2005-08)…Played in 29 career contests making 180 total tackles, 7 INTs, 3 PKDs, 1 QB Sack, 7.5 tackles for loss, 5 FF, 1 FR and 1 Blocked Punt…2007 Led country in tackles…2006 Finished second in Canada in tackles.

Personal: Anthony trained as a long snapper with former Argos draft pick J.P. Darche. He first attended Notre Dame College in Quebec before transferring to Choate Rosemary Hall prep school in Wallingford, Connecticut. Anthony aspires to become a teacher or coach after football. He was a Physical Education major in college.