Daniel Valente

Daniel Valente Jr. (born October 23, 1999) is a Canadian football defensive back who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played U Sports football at Western. He has also been a member of the Ottawa Redblacks and Montreal Alouettes.

Early years
Daniel Valente Jr. played high school football at Catholic Central High School in London, Ontario. He played junior football for the London Junior Mustangs of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and was a multi-time OVFL all-star. Valente also represented Team Canada in the U-19 International Bowl against the United States on January 28, 2017.

University career
Valente played U Sports football at Western from 2017 to 2022. Western won the 53rd Vanier Cup in 2017 and the 56th Vanier Cup in 2021. In 2021, Valente earned first team All-Canadian and first team All-Ontario University Athletics (OUA) honors while also being named the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Game of the 56th Vanier Cup. After spending time with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL), Valente returned to Western for his final season of U Sports football in 2022. In 2022, he again garnered first team All-Canadian and first team All-OUA recognition while also being named the OUA's Outstanding Stand-Up Defensive Player of the Year.

Ottawa Redblacks
Valente was selected by the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the fourth round, with the 31st overall pick, of the 2022 CFL Draft. He signed with the team on May 9, 2022. He was moved to the practice roster on June 5, released from the practice roster on July 7, re-signed to the practice roster on July 12, and released from the practice roster on July 19, 2022, returning to Western for his final season of U Sports football. Valente re-signed with the Redblacks on December 7, 2022. He was released on June 9, 2023, and signed to the practice roster on June 26 before being released on August 15, 2023.

Montreal Alouettes
Valente was signed to the practice roster of the Montreal Alouettes on August 29, 2023, and released by the team on September 28, 2023.

Toronto Argonauts
Valente was signed to the Toronto Argonauts' practice roster on October 2, 2023. He was promoted to the active roster on October 27 and played in one game for the Argonauts but did not record any statistics. He was placed on injured reserve on November 10, 2023. Valente re-signed with the team for the 2024 season, but was released at the start of training camp on May 15, 2024.