Former Badger will join the CFL after signing with the Calgary Stampeders

The Calgary Stampeders announced the addition of four rookies, with one being former Badger Elijah Hills. The standout defensive lineman from Wisconsin received an invite to the San Francisco 49ers rookie camp after college but was never signed to an NFL contract. He's not getting a shot in the CFL as he continues to chase his professional dreams.

He posted on his personal social media account, "I said by any means necessary!" Here's the official release from the Calgary Stampeders:

The Calgary Stampeders have signed former Wisconsin standout Elijah Hills

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In the press release, the Stampeders recap his college career, which went through Albany, where he recorded 67 tackles, including 17.5 tackles for loss. He then transferred to Wisconsin for his senior season and was helpful to a defensive line that often had struggles last season. He was one of the bright spots with 26 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks.

Hills decided years ago he was going to outwork everyone and play professionally, but the odds were stacked against him. He wasn't a high-profile recruit and played three seasons for a college that rarely gets NFL scouts: Albany University. Yet, he continued to work hard and prove that he belonged; he became one of the best defensive linemen in the transfer portal after deciding to look for a Power-4 opportunity after three years at Albany.

He signed with the Badgers and worked his tail off, outperforming what many thought of him. He was a bit undersized at 6'3 and 282 at Wisconsin, but played like one of the big boys. He continued working and was invited to participate in an NFL Rookie Camp with San Francisco, but that didn't lead to an NFL contract. He didn't stop working, and while most of the NFL season is over, he continued to work.

He's now living into what he posted on social media, "by any means necessary," playing professionally in the CFL. This isn't the end of his journey, and it will be interesting to see how he continues to work his way to his dreams.