Photo: Larry MacDougal/3DownNation. All rights reserved.
Canadian defensive back Enock Makonzo has retired from professional football. The move appeared on the CFL’s transactions page on Sunday and was confirmed by a source to 3DownNation on Monday.
Makonzo was originally selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2022 CFL Draft by the Edmonton Elks. He played 22 regular-season games over two years with the club at strong-side linebacker, recording 67 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.
The 29-year-old was cut by the Elks in 2024 and had subsequent stints with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, though he was unable to play due to injury. He signed with the Argonauts in February.
The five-foot-ten, 189-pound native of Lachine, Que. played collegiately at Coastal Carolina University where he made 150 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries over 27 games. He originally began his collegiate career at the New Mexico Military Institute.
Earlier this offseason, an article on Toronto’s website identified Makonzo as the projected starter at safety, as the team looked to make it a Canadian spot. Anthony Wilson, a rookie American out of West Virginia, started the team’s first preseason game at safety.
The Toronto Argonauts opened training camp on May 10. The team won 20-10 in its first preseason game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Toronto will finish the preseason against Hamilton on Friday, May 29. Final roster cuts are due on Saturday, May 30, after which the team will play its first regular-season game against the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, June 12.
Toronto recently selected Queen’s offensive lineman Niklas Henning with their first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, though he’s since signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. The team’s other major offseason additions include offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley, strong-side linebacker Adarius Pickett, and defensive back DaShaun Amos.
In 2025, the Argonauts finished third in the East Division standings with a 5-13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Mike Miller was promoted to the role of head coach following the departure of Ryan Dinwiddie.
