SDSU’s Wagner Signs with Argonauts

Former San Diego State running back Darrin Wagner has signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, putting an official end to Wagner’s stormy college career.

A source said the two-year deal is for a little more than the league average, which is $43,000 a year in American money. Wagner, 19, will report to training camp June 12. If he makes the team, he will be the youngest player in the CFL.

“I’m reaching on the kid now, but he was real productive when he got the ball,” said Mike McCarthy, Argonaut vice president/general manager. “He was in no-man’s land in school. There was nothing there for him. Sometimes you see something in a kid, and you try to help.”

After redshirting in 1988, Wagner rushed for 720 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in seven games at SDSU last season but was suspended on Nov. 5 after missing several practices without permission. At that time, he led the Aztecs in rushing and led the nation’s freshmen in rushing and all-purpose yards.