The interesting thing about college football — or any collegiate sport, for that matter — is that players have only four years of being eligible to play. While professional sports teams lose players all the time — whether by aging, or cap troubles, or a decline in play, etc. — there’s no automated process that says they have to.
That’s what makes recruiting for college football programs so important. It’s as SFU head coach Kelly Bates says, about “plug[ging] holes.”
And SFU’s got a few holes they need plugged. With the graduation of key players like linebackers Jordan and Justin Herdman and running back Ante Milanovic-Litre, the team’s got a lot of valuable players to replace — in all, 14 seniors played their last game with the team last season.
It’s not just about plugging holes, however — it’s about building the foundation of a winning program. After two consecutive win-less seasons, the players signing this recruiting season will play a key role in whether or not this team becomes competitive in the coming years.
Obvious targets are the offensive and defensive line. Last season, the offensive line in particular struggled to protect quarterback Miles Richardson, and it seemed like he was in danger of getting sacked nearly every play.
“We’re just too small right now. We’re asking some guys right now that are young and really shouldn’t be put in that position yet to do some things, but that’s where we are right now,” Bates said after a 57–0 home loss on October 22. “We need to bring in some size and depth at those two key positions, because you’re only as good as your offensive and defensive line[s].”
Adding some depth to the quarterback position will probably be a key focus, as well.
But Bates’ shopping list is probably quite long, as SFU needs bodies in nearly every position.
National Signing Day, the first day that high school students can sign a letter of intent — a binding document that commits them to the program — is this Wednesday. Last year, SFU announced 27 recruits on National Signing Day, a marked improvement a year after having only received four on the day of.
While there are continued signings after National Signing Day, the majority of the action will be this Wednesday, as SFU announces the players who have signed with them.
Here’s a list of prospective recruits that announced having received offers from SFU in the last few months:
(NOTE: In the majority of cases with these potential recruits, the first position listed is their primary position played. However, it is common at the college level for a player to be developed in a position different than their primary high school position.)
Ryan Naylor
Announcement of Offer: January 12
Position(s): Wide Receiver, Free Safety
Height & Weight: 6’3″ 190lbs
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Football team: Stadium High School (HS) – Tacoma, WA
Hudl:
Other offers: Dakota State (NAIA)
Thankful to say I have received an offer from Simon Fraser University!🏈🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/ruwVD4O3Ef
— Ryan Naylor (@RyRynaylor) January 13, 2017
ANNOUNCED COMMITMENT TO SFU – January 30
Officially commited to Simon Fraser University!🏈🇨🇦#TheClan17#StadiumFootballpic.twitter.com/NircCK4xj0
— Ryan Naylor (@RyRynaylor) January 31, 2017
Shea Carstens
Announcement of Offer: January 22
Position(s): Free Safety, Running Back
Height & Weight: 5’9″ 170lbs
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Football Team: O’Dea High School – Seattle, WA
Hudl:
Other offers: Buena Vista University (NCAA Div III), University of Redlands (NCAA Div III)
Beyond thankful to have received my 3rd offer from Simon Fraser University #AllfaithinGod pic.twitter.com/fBOKpWRyV3
— 21 21 (@sheaC_3) January 23, 2017
ANNOUNCED COMMITMENT TO SFU – January 30
Committed 🔴⚪️🔵pic.twitter.com/khxGgR6rju
— 21 21 (@sheaC_3) January 31, 2017
Colton Michaels
Announcement of Offer: January 31
Position(s): Centre, Guard, Defensive Tackle, Defensive End
Height & Weight: 6’3″ 220lbs
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Football team: Stadium High School (HS) – Tacoma, WA
Hudl:
Other offers: None Announced.
ANNOUNCED COMMITMENT TO SFU – January 31
Grateful for the offer from Simon Fraser University to play at the next level. Thanks to all who have supported me through the process. 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/n4ymM5BIf8
— Colton Michaels (@Colt_M79) January 31, 2017
Drew Gilmore
Announcement of Offer: September 21
Position(s): Centre, Defensive Tackle, Offensive Guard, Offensive Tackle
Height and Weight: 6’5″ 235lbs
Hometown: Vallejo, CA
Football Team: St. Patrick/St. Vincent High School (HS) – Vallejo, CA
Hudl:
Other offers: University of San Diego (Div I FCS), Kentucky Christian University (NAIA)
Blessed to have received my third offer from Simon Fraser University!! pic.twitter.com/NeHFNGWojM
— Gilly (@mrdrewgilmore) September 22, 2016
Mekai Clarke
Announcement of Offer: December 6
Position(s): Free Safety, Cornerback
Height and Weight: 5’11” 185lbs
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Football Team: Chabot College (JUCO) – Hayward, CA (2 years eligibility)
Hudl:
Other offers: Southwest Minnesota State University (NCAA Div II)
Blessed to receive an offer from SFU!! @BWyllie8pic.twitter.com/T5O4dORRlv
— Mekai Clarke (@Donner_1) December 7, 2016
Chervendy Dorsainvil
Announcement of Offer: December 14
Position(s): Outside Linebacker
Height and Weight: 6’3″ 220lbs
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Football Team: Canada Prep Football Academy (HS) – St Catharines, ON
Hudl:
Other offers: Southern Baptist University (NCAA Div II)
Just picked up an offer from Simon Fraser U 🙌🏾pic.twitter.com/U3cnc85bEL
— Chevy Numba6 (@ItzYaBoiiChevy) December 14, 2016
Mason Brown
Announcement of Offer: December 22
Position(s): Quarterback, Slotback
Height and Weight: 6’1″ 202lbs
Football Team: Royal Imperial Knights Football Academy – St Catharines, ON
Hudl:
Other offers: None announced.
Very excited to announce I’ve received my first NCAA scholarship offer from Simon Fraser University!! pic.twitter.com/X8siJz4n5V
— mason (@mason22brown3) December 22, 2016
Connor Johnson
Announcement of Offer: December 23
Position(s): Quarterback
Height and Weight: 6’2″ 215lbs
Hometown: Everett, WA
Football Team: Archbishop Murphy High School (HS) – Everett, WA
Hudl:
Other offers: Western State Colorado University (NCAA Div II), Dakota State University (NAIA), Southern Oregon University (NAIA)
Honored to receive my 3rd offer to play college football at Simon Fraser University🏈pic.twitter.com/bcWutleLXs
— CoJo (@ConnorJohnson66) December 23, 2016
JT Tumanuvao
Announcement of Offer: December 31
Position(s): Guard
Height and Weight: 6’2″ 270lbs
Hometown: Camas, WA
HS: Camas High School (HS) – Camas, WA
Hudl:
Other offers: None announced.
Blessed to receive an offer from Simon Fraser University. #SFU#VancouverBC#Blessedpic.twitter.com/AWEcr2U3Zk
— JT Tumanuvao (@JTtumanuvao) December 31, 2016
Michael Boyle
Announcement of Offer: January 7
Position(s): Kicker, Punter
Height and Weight: 6’1″ 170lbs
Hometown: Camas, WA
HS: Camas High School (HS) – Camas, WA
Hudl:
Other offers: None announced.
Excited to announce that I received an offer from Simon Fraser University! #sfupic.twitter.com/76j3ojbJ5C
— Michael Boyle (@Michael__Boy) January 8, 2017
Devin Devlin
Announcement of Offer: January 7
Position(s): Defensive End, Outside Linebacker
Height and Weight: 6’3″ 220lbs
Hometown: Vallejo, CA
Football team: St. Patrick/St. Vincent High School (HS) – Vallejo, CA
Hudl:
Other offers: Kentucky Christian (NAIA)
Thankful to have received my second offer from Simon Fraser University! pic.twitter.com/AeLcCo2ubK
— devin devlin (@devin_devlin) January 8, 2017
Brandon Thompson
Announcement of Offer: January 13
Position(s): Running Back, Cornerback
Height and Weight: 5’10” 172lbs
Hometown: Yelm, WA
Football team: Yelm High School (HS) – Yelm, WA
Hudl:
Other offers: Tacoma Community College (baseball)
Blessed to have received my first scholarship offer to play football at Simon Fraser University!🙏🏽pic.twitter.com/RE5AWEA04b
— BT3️⃣2️⃣ (@Brandon_Thomp32) January 14, 2017
Jake Kim
Announcement of Offer: January 18
Position(s): Defensive End, Running Back
Height and Weight: 5’11” 195lbs
Hometown: Woodinville, WA
Football Team: Woodinville High School – Woodinville, WA
Hudl:
Other offers: None Announced.
Honored to have received my first football scholarship offer from SFU 🏈💪#SackCitypic.twitter.com/rxPQAJyx35
— Sack City 3️⃣2️⃣ (@KimmyJJ1999) January 19, 2017
Aron Mulugheta
Announcement of Offer: January 19
Position(s): Cornerback, Wide Receiver, Punter
Height and Weight: 6’1″ 180lbs
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Football Team: Garfield High School (HS) – Seattle, WA
Hudl:
Other offers: None Announced
Truly Blessed to receive an offer from SFU 🙌🏿@RegJones20@KeenanNorth@JT0200pic.twitter.com/17s6NyXlmF
— Aron Mulugheta (@A_aye_ron1) January 20, 2017
Justin Harrison
Announcement of Offer: January 22
Position(s): Defensive Tackle, Defensive End
Height and Weight: 6’0″ 265lbs
Hometown: Brampton, ON
Football team: Viera High School (HS) – Viera, FL
Hudl:
Other offers: Bethany Swedes (NAIA), Birmingham Southern (NCAA Div III), St Norbert College (NCAA Div III)
Blessed to have received an offer from Simon Fraser University! pic.twitter.com/FKbzSambS0
— Justin Harrison (@JustinHarrison) January 22, 2017
Isaiah Sahagun
Announcement of Offer: January 23
Position(s): Outside Linebacker, Running Back
Height and Weight: 5’11” 185lbs
Hometown: San Ramon, CA
Football Team: California High School (HS) – San Ramon, CA
Hudl:
Other offers: Central Methodist University (NAIA)
Proud to announce that I have received my second offer from Simon Fraser University! @SFUFootball@SFUClanpic.twitter.com/9yFw4RqX2E
— Zay (@the_isahagun) January 24, 2017
Nick Kaye
Announcement of Offer: January 29
Position(s): Middle Linebacker, Strong Safety
Height and Weight: 6’3″ 200lbs
Hometown: Monroe, WA
Football Team: Lakeside High School – Seattle, WA
Hudl:
Other offers: None Announced.
Beyond blessed to say I have received my first offer from Simon Fraser University❗️pic.twitter.com/No8HmgEv0g
— Nick Kaye (@datnickcray) January 30, 2017
Peter Kourtis
Announcement of Offer: October 26
Position(s): Centre, Guard
Height & Weight: 6’6″ 320lbs
Hometown: St Catharines, ON
Football team: Canada Prep Football Academy (HS) – St Catharines, ON
Hudl:
Other offers: None Announced.
S/O to 2017 OL Peter Kourtis @CanadaPrep on his offer to #SFU (NCAA D2)!! Pete is 6’6 320 & has tons of potential!! https://t.co/CnuaV2jn8r
— Geoff McArthur (@CoachMcArthur6) October 27, 2016
Sam Mueller
Announcement of Offer: January 11
Position(s): Cornerback, Kick Returner
Height & Weight: 6’1” 170lbs
Hometown: Crystal River, FL
Football team: Jesuit High School – Portland, OR
Hudl:
Other offers: None Announced.
Blessed to recieve a Division II offer from Simon Frasier🏈pic.twitter.com/mJqV47qXoc
— Sam Mueller (@sammueller33) January 12, 2017
OFF THE LIST:
There were a number of prospective recruits who announced that they received offers from SFU, but have since committed to another football program.
Darius MacKay
Committed to: Carleton University (USports)
Position(s): Center, Guard
Height and Weight: 6’4″ 285lbs
Hometown: Burnaby, BC
Football Team: Woodberry Forest High School (HS) – Woodberry Forest, VA
Hudl:
Wil Hamilton
Committed to: Air Force Academy (NCAA Div I FBS)
Position(s): Defensive Tackle, Center
Height and Weight: 6’1″ 280lbs
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Football Team: Chaparral High School (HS) – Scottsdale, AZ
Hudl:
Jake Meisen
Committed to: Central Washington (NCAA Div II – GNAC)
Position(s): Wide Receiver, Quarterback
Height and Weight: 6’1″ 182lbs
Hometown: West Linn, OR
Football Team: West Linn High School (HS) – West Linn, OR
Hudl:
William George
Committed to: UC Davis (NCAA Div I FCS)
Position(s): Tackle, Defensive Tackle
Height and Weight: 6’4″ 280lbs
Hometown: Stockton, CA
Football Team: Lincoln High School (HS) – Stockton, CA
Hudl:
Anthony Reisch
Committed to: Carroll College (NAIA)
Position(s): Guard
Height and Weight: 6’3″ 280lbs
Hometown: West Pasco, WA
Football Team: Chiawana High School – Pasco, WA
Hudl:
Ryan Goodman
Committed to: Azusa Pacific (GNAC)
Position(s): Centre, Guard
Height & Weight: 6’2″ 270lbs
Hometown: Westlake Village, CA
Football team: Oaks Christian School – Westlake Village, CA
Hudl:
Other offers: University of San Diego (NCAA Div I FCS), Stetson University (NCAA Div I FCS), Southern Nazerene University (NCAA Div II), Linfield Wildcats (NCAA Div III), Minot State (NCAA Div II), Hastings College (NAIA), Missouri Baptist University (NAIA), Kentucky Christian University (NAIA)
