On February 4, athletic departments all across the NCAA were busy, as it was the first day that high school student athletes could sign a National Letter of Intent to play football in the NCAA.
Although it wasn’t quite as big deal here in the Lower Mainland as it is currently in the States — perhaps comparable to how we pay attention to the NHL Draft here — SFU still made some notable signings. We caught up with recruiting coordinator Bryan Willie to get a bit of intel on the four signings SFU’s made so far:
Ovie Odjegba, Vancouver College, RB, 5’9”, 180 lbs
“He’s a quick kid, he’s fast,” explained Wyllie. “He’s really good at the zone run game, so he finds the holes really well. He’s got good vision, he’s got a nice burst, he’s a really nice athlete.”
One necessary aspect of development would be bulking up: “He’s prone to develop a little bit just in the fact that he’s a little smaller kid in terms of body, just because he’s 180 lbs. So as he develops here, he’ll be able to put on a little bit more weight, get thicker.”
Objegba is an athlete that Wyllie could see potentially playing in the first year, partially because of his athletic ability, but also because of a lack of depth in the running back position, with key players Chris Tolbert, Cole Tudor, and Stephen Spagnuolo all having played their last game for the Clan.
“It’s a thinner position for us. He might get pressed into action earlier than we would want to,” explained Wyllie. “I think odds are that he will probably not have to play; we’ll figure out ways that he can take his time and progress into the role.
“But he’s the type of player that could force our hand just because of the kind of athletic ability he’s got.”
Shaquille Naicker, Pitt Meadows Secondary, OL, 6’2”, 260 lbs
“He’s got a little bit of a mean streak to him. He finishes his blocks, he runs his feet really well — which is not something all offensive linemen do at the high school level,” commented Wyllie.
“He’ll actually get his hands on people and run his feet to get guys out of the way. He opens some big holes.”
Naicker can play on both the offensive and defensive line, and achieved 36 tackles, three sacks, and two fumble recoveries in nine games for Pitt Meadows this season.
Will Kinnaird, Terry Fox Secondary, OL, 6’5”, 280 lbs
“Great big kid from Terry Fox [Secondary],” explained Wyllie. “He’ll probably be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, kid we bring in this year. Comes from a great program in Terry Fox. Moves well, but that will be something he will be able to work on at the next level as well.”
Although he mainly played tackle at Terry Fox Secondary, Wyllie projects that he will most likely suit up as a guard for the Clan.
Wyllie is already pleased with Kinnaird’s progress in becoming ready to play the university game: “He’s already in the gym, in our workout program, I’m excited to see where that takes him, where he parlays that into.
“I think he’s a guy who’ll take a huge step this year, because he’s already got the frame to do it, so it’s just a matter of putting it all together.”
Spencer Moore, St Thomas More Collegiate, LB, 6’2”, 255 lbs
“A guy I really liked as a linebacker, but at the same time he’s a bit heavier than that, as he’s up to 250 lbs, so we see him moving down to the defensive end for us,” said Wyllie. Moore led high school Triple A football this season in tackles with 92, as well notching seven sacks.
“The athletic ability and the brains for the game that he uses as a linebacker and natural abilities will really help him on the defensive end. It will be just a matter of teaching him the techniques [. . .] as a defensive end.”
As well, Wyllie sees him as being the most college-ready of the four.
“Spencer Moore’s probably the one closest to being able to play [at SFU]. His natural ability, his physical, just the size he’s got and everything, he’s probably the closest in terms of body maturity to being ready to play,” he said.
“I’m really excited about him, so hopefully he’s one of the guys that really turns out.”
