Recruiting 2012

Guelph Gryphon 2012 Recruiting

More Recent Announcements

Jesse Willick – LB – 6’1″ 230lbs – Lakeshore Catholic [Port Colborne] – Niagara ‘AAAA’ Defensive Player of the Year
Taylor Farrell – DB – 6′ 175lbs – Holy Cross [Kingston] *entering his 2nd year in Guelph’s BComm program
Amitaj Gill – Rec – 6’3″ 205lbs – Clarkson [Mississauga] – via Erie Community College [NY]  High school highlights

April Announcements

Curtis Newton – LB – 6’1″ 210lbs – AB Lucas [London]
Reza Shayani – DL – 6’2″ 225lbs – JF Ross [Guelph]
Tristan Doughlin – DB – 5’11” 180lbs – Northern SS [Toronto]
Rob Carnegie – DB – 5’9″ 180lbs – Frontenac [Kingston]
Ryan Mattei – DB – 6’4″ 195lbs – Sir Winston Churchill [St Catharines]
Michael Prytula – Receiver – 5’11” 175lbs – Notre Dame College [Welland]

March Announcements

Cam Wilhelm – OL – 6’3″ 320lbs – St Mary’s [Kitchener]
Tim Jackson – Receiver – 5’11” 195lbs – St Thomas More [Burnaby, BC]
Jeff Russell – QB – 6’3″ 195lbs – Oakridge [London]
Nathaniel McKenzie – LB – 6′ 205lbs – Notre Dame [Brampton]
Brandon Hunter – DB – 5’11” 182lbs – Assumption [Burlington]
Colin Mandich – DB – 5’11” 173lbs – St Thomas Aquinas [London]
Jordyn Mittoo – DB – 5’10” 170lbs – Father Goetz [Mississauga]
Jake Pinnock – DB – 6’1″ 180lbs – West Vancouver SS [Vancouver BC]
Martin Popiel – TE – 6’7″ 230lbs – St Christophers [Sarnia]
Scott Morrison – LB – 6’2″ 220lbs – St Christophers [Sarnia]
A’dre Fraser – Receiver – 5’11″ 170lbs – Citadel [Halifax NS]

February Announcements

Colin Booth – SB – 5’9″ 165lbs – Superior Heights [Sault Ste Marie]
Pat McGrath – LB – 6’0″ 200lbs – Superior Heights [Sault Ste Marie]
Mikey Carney – QB – 5’10″ 170lbs – St Thomas More [Burnaby BC]
Dan Urbshas – OL – 6’2″ 250lbs – Our Lady of Lourdes [Guelph]
Kyle Fraser – OT – 6’4″ 255lbs – Lakeshore [Port Colborne]
Steve Mburanumwe – OL – 6’4″ 275lbs – Bishop Ryan [Hamilton]
Elias Mensah – DL – 6’1″ 260lbs – Notre Dame [Brampton]
Andrew Graham – LB – 5’10″ 205lbs – Parkside CI [St Thomas]
Josh Janssen – OL – 6’2″ 290lbs – St Paul’s [Niagara Falls]
Tyler Case – OT – 6’7″ 270lbs – Cathedral [Hamilton]
Donnie Egerter – DT – 6’3″ 270lbs – St Paul’s [Niagara Falls]
Kory Kemp – DB – 5’9″ 170lbs- St Paul’s [Niagara Falls]
Evan Murdza – QB – 6’2″ 165lbs – St Paul’s [Niagara Falls]
Ryan Nieuwesteeg – RB – 5’9″ 160lbs – St Paul’s [Niagara Falls]

January Announcements

Andrew Wilhelm – Receiver – 6’1″ 185lbs – Brantford CI
Mackenzie Morrison – Receiver – 6′ 180lbs – Georgetown District HS
Jamie Lalonde – Centre – 6’3″ 300lbs – Sir Allan MacNab [Hamilton]
Patrick Gerrie – DL – 6’5″ 250lbs – St Mary’s [Kitchener]
Ryan Searle – DL – 6’4″ 240lbs – St Michael’s College [Toronto]
Ray Bahr – RB – 5’9″ 170lbs – Evanston Township HS [Evanston, Illinois]
Zach Mallough – DT – 6’2″ 270lbs – Mother Theresa [London]

August 18 – Look for Travis Jennings, originally a 2012 recruit, to be a part of the 2013 class as he has opted for another semester of high school to better prepare himself for university.

March 26 – Based on Facebook it sounds like another BC all star has committed – Tim Jackson – DB – 5’11” 195lbs – St Thomas More [Burnaby BC]

Feb 17 – With 27 signed and/or announced recruits Guelph is close to completing a very successful 2012 recruiting class. I know that Guelph recruiters and coaches are still working on a few prospects. So several big names may still be announced. Regardless of whether that happens this is a great recruiting class for Guelph. It addresses some important needs on offense in particular.

Feb 11 – According to tweets by both Gryphon Recruiting and Pat McGrath, McGrath has committed to the Gryphons.  McGrath of Sault Ste Marie is one of the top 10 linebacker prospects in Ontario.

Feb 9 – The Guelph Mercury carries this story today: Football Gryphons sign 26 recruits .  The Merc mentions that both local signees were former OVFL All Star O-Linemen with the Guelph Bears.  Tunney was selected in 2008 and Urbshas in 2010.  This got me to counting – 5 of the 8 OL recruits have played for Team Ontario or been OVFL All Stars.  Two of the remaining 3 are GHR All Stars.  That says something about the level of talent OL Coach Mike MacDonald has rounded up.

Feb 8 – The Univ of Guelph Athletics Dept made an announcement today with details on all the recruits signed to date: Gryphons announce 26 football recruits

Feb 5 – It’s now pretty apparent that this season’s recruiting class reflects a significant change in offensive philosophy.  The emphasis is on speed and athleticism.  Of course everyone wants players who are fast and athletic.  And size is still important.  But there is frequently a trade-off  between the two.  While recruiting sizes is still important Coaches Galloway and MacDonald seem to be very disciplined in sticking with speed and athleticism when the two are in conflict.  For example, if they have a choice between a 6’3 275lb OL and a 6’6″ 330lb OL, I believe that they will select the faster guy with better feet every time.  Same thing for the slot receivers  – X & Y receivers in the new offense.  It’s all about speed and athleticism.  I see this philosophy change as the equivalent of an NCAA team shifting from a pro-style spread offense to a college-style spread O.  I definitely prefer the college style so I’ve got no problem with that.

Jan 29 – I will be surprised, and disappointed, if Guelph doesn’t have one of the top two recruiting classes in the OUA.  Last year Guelph’s recruiting class finished tied for second with McMaster.  Western had the top ranked class in the country in 2011. I said many months ago that I expected Guelph to have another outstanding recruiting class in 2012.  It obvious now that not even a 2-6 season could derail that. I am glad to see that Gryphon recruiters are going to make me look prescient.