Calgary Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce that import defensive lineman DeVone Claybrooks has re-signed with the club. Claybrooks was scheduled to become a free agent on Feb. 16. As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“DeVone has great leadership skills and is highly regarded on our defence and in our locker-room,” said Hufnagel. “He played at a high level last season, was recognized as a division all-star and we’re excited to have him back in the mix for this season.”

Claybrooks suited up for 15 regular-season games and the West final with Calgary last season and was named a West Division all-star, his first all-star recognition in the Canadian Football League. He recorded 27 tackles — including three tackles for loss — four quarterback sacks and two pass knockdowns. Claybrooks was a key component of a Calgary run defence that allowed the fewest first downs in the CFL and held opponents to an average of 96.6 yards per game, the second fewest in the league. On Aug. 7 against the BC Lions, Claybrooks played his 50th career CFL game.

“I’m excited to get this done and looking forward to playing for the Stamps next season,” said Claybrooks. “It’s a great organization to play for in Calgary. We have a good group of guys, an excellent coaching staff and it’s a wonderful city to play in with awesome fans that come to cheer us on, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Claybrooks joined the Stamps as a free agent in 2009 and has played in 60 CFL regular-season contests and five playoff games.

>> DeVone blogs about his decision and his off-season