//DATE: Mar. 12, 2009
//For Immediate Release
Rams add 11 recruits
REGINA, Sask. - University of Regina Rams head coach Frank
McCrystal announced Wednesday that 11 local recruits have committed
to the program for the 2009 season.
Nine of McCrystal’s 11 recruits come to the Rams directly from the
Regina Intercollegiate Football League, headlined by running back
Jacob Carr. Carr was a vital part of the LeBoldus Golden Suns team
that won the provincial ‘4A’ championship last year, as the 6’1”
back was named the Schwann Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
He’ll help to fill the void left by Luke Derkson, who led the Rams
with 734 rushing yards last season as a fifth-year player.
“Jacob is a superb athlete,” McCrystal said. “He certainly will be
able to contribute to our team in the very near future.”
McCrystal also received a commitment from Steve Hanson, who has
lined up for the Regina Thunder at offensive tackle and offensive
guard over the past three seasons. Named the Thunder’s outstanding
offensive player and outstanding offensive lineman in 2008, Hanson
will have four years of CIS eligibility remaining.
“Steve is an older, stronger, more experienced guy,” McCrystal
said. “We feel he’ll be able to challenge for a starting position
right away.”
The Rams will also have one player returning to Regina after a year
in the NCAA. Defensive lineman Blake Johnson, who graduated from
Balfour Collegiate, spent the 2008 season as a redshirt with
Northern State University (NCAA Div. II) and will be eligible to
play for the U of R immediately.
The commitments bring the Rams’ 2009 signing class up to 12, as
offensive lineman Chris Mercer committed to the team in January.
Recruit Profiles
DL Spenser Borlase (6-3, 290 lbs., 1st, Michael A. Riffel HS) -
hometown is Regina ... named an RIFL Stewart Conference all-star on
the defensive line ... team won the 2007 city ‘4A’ championship and
were the runners-up in 2008.
RB Jacob Carr (6-1, 190 lbs., 1st, Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS) -
hometown is Regina ... named the RIFL’s Schwann Conference
offensive player of the year ... also a conference all-star at
running back ... won the 2008 provincial ‘4A’ championship with the
Golden Suns.
WR Rory Copithorn (6-0, 170 lbs., 1st, Campbell Collegiate) -
hometown is Regina ... played three seasons with the Campbell
Tartans ... will enrol in Campion Arts.
RB Dillon Dawson (5-11, 190 lbs., 1st, Michael A. Riffel HS) -
hometown is Regina ... described by the Rams coaching staff as “a
power back and an excellent receiver in the backfield in the mould
of Sheldon Tillotson” ... father is current Rams defensive
coordinator Paul Dawson ... team won the 2007 city ‘4A’
championship and were the runners-up in 2008.
OL Steve Hanson (6-3, 290 lbs., 2nd, Regina Thunder) - hometown is
Regina ... spent three seasons with the Regina Thunder ... named
the Thunder’s outstanding offensive player and outstanding
offensive lineman in 2008 ... represented Saskatchewan at the 2007
Football Canada Cup and was named a tournament all-star ...
graduated from Winston Knoll Collegiate in 2006.
DL Blake Johnson (6-3, 270 lbs., 1st, Northern State University) -
hometown is Regina ... spent the 2008 season as a redshirt with the
NCAA Division II Northern State Wolves ... graduated from Balfour
Collegiate in 2008.
OL Brett Jones (6-2, 290 lbs., 1st, Weyburn Comprehensive HS) -
hometown is Weyburn ... named an RIFL Stewart Conference all-star
at offensive tackle.
QB Matt Lang (6-0, 175 lbs., 1st, Campbell Collegiate) - hometown
is Regina ... played three seasons with the Campbell Tartans.
QB Kiefer Olson (6-3, 220 lbs., 1st, College of Notre Dame) -
hometown is Regina ... missed the majority of the 2008 season after
suffering an ACL injury.
DL Tyler Perkins (6-5, 245 lbs., 1st, College of Notre Dame) -
hometown is Regina ... described by the Rams coaching staff as “a
big kid with a lot of upside” ... father is current Regina Pats
assistant coach Terry Perkins.
QB Catlyn Todorovich (6-1, 160 lbs., 1st, Michael A. Riffel HS) -
hometown is Regina ... named an RIFL Schwann Conference all-star at
quarterback ... team won the 2007 city ‘4A’ championship and were
the runners-up in 2008.
2009 University of Regina Rams Recruiting Class
DL Spenser Borlase (6-3/290, 1st) - Michael A. Riffel HS
RB Jacob Carr (6-1/190, 1st) - Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS
WR Rory Copithorn (6-0/170, 1st) - Campbell Collegiate
RB Dillon Dawson (5-11/190, 1st) - Michael A. Riffel HS
OL Steve Hanson (6-3/290, 2nd) - Regina Thunder (PFC)
DL Blake Johnson (6-3/270, 1st) - Northern State University
OL Brett Jones (6-2/290, 1st) - Weyburn Comprehensive HS
QB Matt Lang (6-0/175, 1st) - Campbell Collegiate
OL Chris Mercer (6-7/295, 2nd) - Saskatoon Hilltops (PFC)
QB Kiefer Olson (6-3/220, 1st) - College of Notre Dame
DL Tyler Perkins (6-5/245, 1st) - College of Notre Dame
QB Catlyn Todorovich (6-1/160, 1st) - Michael A. Riffel HS