Going with the “Flo.”

Folarin Orimolade that is.

Another blockbuster move from general manager and head coach Dave Dickenson, who continues to make changes for the Stampeders in an effort to return to the organization’s storied success after a couple of seasons that didn’t quite hit the mark.

The trade last Friday (and the third trade for Calgary this off-season) sent Canadian linebacker Cameron Judge to the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for the American defensive end.

The 29-year-old had an inkling he could be getting moved from the Double Blue a few days before he eventually got the call from Michael “Pinball” Clemons that he would be heading back to his former club.

The versatile pass-rusher spent the first three seasons of his career with the Stamps (2018, 2021-22), winning a Grey Cup in the process before signing with the Argos as a free agent in 2023 and winning his second Grey Cup championship last November.

“I’m excited,” informed Orimolade. “I think, in this trade it showed that Calgary was really driven to get me back and you want to be in a place where you feel the most wanted. And it’s also a city that I already know and with people that I know, so that’s a great feeling.

“Obviously it’s a little bittersweet being traded from a place where you just won, but at the same time you’re getting the ability to go to a place where you also have great memories and have won there before, and it’s a beautiful city.”

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just go with the Flo 🐎 pic.twitter.com/NhIxQd8PZ5

— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) January 13, 2025

Although he’s only been away for two seasons, Orimolade returns to a Stampeders team that has undergone significant change. 

In the coming months there will be renovations made to the team weight room and players’ lounge, as well as the installation of brand new turf.

In addition to acquiring quarterbacks Vernon Adams Jr. and P.J. Walker this off-season, the Red and White have also promoted former linebackers coach Bob Slowik to defensive coordinator and hired John Bowman as the defensive line coach amongst other moves to the coaching staff.

“Bowman is a Hall-Of-Famer,” he said. “One of the great all-time players in the CFL, and he’s already off to a great career as a coach as well. For me, he had a great track record in BC — D-lines were productive under him, and I’m excited to be next in line with that.

“From what I’ve seen, I think management is already making really great decisions to help the team improve. I want to be part of the solution, right the ship, and really make good things happen.

“The harder you work, the better it feels. I think that’s what is going to happen here.”

In 63 career regular-season games with the Stamps and Argos, Orimolade has registered 105 defensive tackles including seven tackles for loss, 26 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 11 special-teams tackles, one knockdown and two interceptions including a pick-six. He was a division all-star in 2023.

The Dartmouth product also has 11 defensive tackles and four sacks in seven career post-season contests.

In his second tour-of-duty with the Red and White, the former Ivy League defensive player of the year is looking forward to his production in 2025 and is confident his work ethic will rub off on his teammates.

“I want to show that I’m dependable, persistent, and I’m someone who can change the game and someone that other players can emulate.

“The most important thing is leading with your actions and I think that I’m someone who has a track record of doing that. So, I hope that it can be contagious around the team, and we have a bunch of guys who are persistent and dedicated … and honestly, want to have fun, want to play with joy, and bring joy to Stampeders fans.

“From a football standpoint, I personally think it’s going to be my best season yet, and I’m excited to make that happen in the place where it all started for me.”