Consecutive years as the Canadian Football League's top defensive player were enough to get B.C. Lions rush end Cam Wake noticed by the NFL.

Wake, the CFL's undisputed champion of quarterback sacks, signed a four-year contract as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins on Monday. The deal reportedly included a US$1 million signing bonus.

The 26-year-old, who is expected to play linebacker in the NFL, said teams were lined up to sign him with his two-year contract in the CFL about to expire.

"It happened really fast," Wake said on a conference call.

After the season, he went to Montreal during Grey Cup week to collect his second straight award as the CFL's outstanding defensive player, then went to Hawaii on a short vacation.

"As soon as I stepped back in Vancouver, it all started," he said.

He made visits to nine or ten teams over the past month, finally narrowing his list to the "really serious" teams -- Miami, Denver, Indianapolis, Buffalo and Minnesota.

He chose the Dolphins, the club that rebounded from a 1-15 season to go 11-5 in 2008.

"It's probably the biggest decision I've made," the Beltsville, Md., native said. "You look for the total package -- not just the biggest deal or who had the best record.

"From the coaching staff, the position, the opportunity, the organization, everything combined, Miami put themselves above everyone else. Not by much, but at the end of the day, that was the best opportunity for me."

Wake attended training camp with the New York Giants after he came out of Penn State University undrafted in 2005, but was released before the season.

The six-foot-three 260-pound lineman turned up in Vancouver in 2007 and won outstanding rookie honours as well as being named outstanding defensive player.

In two seasons with the Lions, Wake compiled 137 tackles with 39 sacks.

"His two years up here were nothing short of spectacular," said Lions coach and general manager Wally Buono. "When you saw him dominate the league, it just speaks volumes for the kind of player he was.

"I know he's going to be missed. I think the CFL is losing a tremendous player, but yet the NFL is gaining a great player and a very good person."

Buono was asked if Wake dominated his position the same way former quarterback Doug Flutie once mastered his. He called it a good comparison.

"Both were tremendously dominant at their positions and they both go down to the NFL with everyone hoping they do well," said Buono, who now faces the prospect of a 2009 campaign without his star pass rusher.

"It's something you can't look back on," he said. "We were very fortunate to have Cam for two years.

"If we find a guy who can do the things Cam does, I hope so, but that would be a stretch. The thing you have to do is give someone else the opportunity to be another Cam Wake. Hopefully, down the road, we'll find that."

Wake is not sure what specific plans the Dolphins have for him, other than that they see him as an outside linebacker.

They already have a four-time pro Bowl player at outside linebacker in veteran Joey Porter, who was second in NFL sacks this season with 17.5. Wake could play alongside Porter, spell him, or find some other role.

"It's up to the coaches," said Wake. "I'll just try to play as hard as I can and whatever situation develops, that's what I'll take on.

"Whether it's special teams, whether it's backup, whether it's playing either side, I know that whatever role I'm given, I'll play it 110 per cent."