Rams ready to open 2014 fall camp

REGINA, Sask. – The University of Regina Rams begin on-field practices on Friday as the 2014 Fall Camp presented by Laurentian Bank Securities begins at the U of R Field.
Camp Schedule
Friday, Aug. 22 – Practices at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 23 – Practices at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 24 – Practices at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
After two-a-day practices finish on Sunday, the Rams will revert to evening practices in preparation for a home non-conference game against Alberta next Friday, Aug. 29 at Mosaic Stadium. The Rams open the Canada West schedule on Friday, Sept. 5 against the UBC Thunderbirds, also at Mosaic Stadium.
The Rams missed the postseason for the first time since 2005 last season after going 2-6 over the conference schedule, but hope that the experience gained by their youthful roster coupled with some additions at key positions will contribute to an improved campaign in 2014.
The team returns a total of nine starters on the offensive side of the ball and eight on defence, led by a pair of All-Canadians in wide receiver Addison Richards and cornerback Tevaughn Campbell.
Besides Richards, the group of returning offensive players also includes quarterback Cayman Shutter, who led a Rams offence last year that relied almost exclusively on the passing game. Shutter ranked among the nation’s leaders in most quarterbacking categories in 2013 and will close out his CIS career this year. Also back this season is offensive lineman Kyle Paterson, who was drafted by the Saskatchewan Roughriders but will return for his fourth season of CIS eligibility. Other returning starters include linemen Matt Degelman, Bryce McKinnon, Lyndon Smith, and Jeremy Zver and receivers Landon Buch and Jared Janotta.
Joining Campbell on the list of returning starters defensively is linebacker Michael Stefanovic, who earned a Canada West all-star selection after a breakthrough season in 2013. Stefanovic – who still has four years of CIS eligibility remaining – and fellow linebacker Connor Ketchen will form the backbone of the team’s defence, while defensive lineman Tyler Perkins and defensive backs Joey Dwyer, Justin Edralin, and Patrick MacDonald also return after playing significant roles for the team last season.
Among the incoming players most likely to make an immediate impact is offensive lineman Tristain Hoath (Saskatoon Hilltops), wide receiver Mitch Thompson (Regina Thunder), running back Atlee Simon (Thom Collegiate), defensive lineman Dean Viena (Shoreline CC), linebackers Zack McEachern (Calgary Colts) and Danny Nesbitt (Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS), defensive backs Korey Greene (Waldorf College) and Kadeem Ellis (Toronto Thunder), and kicker Andrew Fabian (Calgary Colts).
The 2014 season will be McCrystal’s last as the head coach of the Rams, as the 31-year veteran announced Tuesday he would retire following the conclusion of this season. McCrystal coached the Rams for 15 seasons as a junior program and has been the team’s only coach at the CIS level since they joined forces with the University of Regina in 1999.
Here’s a position-by-position look at how the Rams stack up entering 2014 –
Quarterbacks
Shutter is a lock to enter the season as the team’s starting quarterback as he enters his second and final year with the Rams. After the Regina-born product of the University of Hawaii on the depth chart is John Kiesman and Noah Picton, who will battle to be Shutter’s backup. Kiesman is a second-year pivot who backed up last year and led the Rams to one of their two wins last year with Shutter injured, while Picton redshirted in 2013.
Running Backs
With two-year starter Michael Kiapway not returning, the Rams will have a new look in their running game. Returning fifth-year veteran Dillon Dawson has made his mark on special teams over his career with the Rams and will battle for the starting job at running back, while Jens Johnson also had some carries last year and will get a long look in camp. New to the fold is Simon, who graduated from tiny Harvest City Collegiate in Regina but played football for Thom. Considered one of the top recruits in the province, Simon could become the first Ram to start at running back as a first-year player since Graham Mosiondz in 2005.
Receivers
Canada West all-star Kolten Solomon graduates, but the Rams still return a group of talented receivers led by Richards, Buch, and Janotta. Richards is considered a top prospect for the 2015 CFL Draft, while Janotta needs just 42 receptions – he had 44 in both 2012 and 2013 – to become Canada West’s all-time leader. Also in the mix are wide receivers Andrew Bennett, Catlin Schneider, and Richard Sindani and slotbacks Riley Wilson, Davin Johnston, and Mitchell Picton. If that group of nine returners wasn’t deep enough already, the Rams also add the talented Mitch Thompson after a stellar four-year career with the Regina Thunder.
Offensive Line
The offensive line was a question mark heading into last season and it was tested early and often with significant injuries suffered by Nathan Cugnet and Aaron Picton, who had been slated to start at centre and right tackle, respectively. The team already had rookie Lyndon Smith and first-year Ram Jeremy Zver in the starting lineup to begin with, and those two injuries thrust first-year players Matt Degelman and Bryce McKinnon into starting roles as well. The addition of Hoath from the Hilltops and the return of Cugnet and Picton to full strength should mean a much-improved line for the Rams this season.
Linebackers
Stefanovic and Ketchen were two bright spots on the Rams defence last season, as both players earned starting positions despite being in their first and second seasons of eligibility, respectively. Stefanovic led the conference in tackles for loss and earned a Canada West all-star nomination, while Ketchen was second on the team behind Stefanovic with 41½ tackles. Dylan Minshull redshirted last year and rocketed up the depth chart after a sterling spring camp, while McEachern and Nesbitt should see playing time in their first season at the U of R.
Defensive Backs
Campbell, who enjoyed a breakthrough season not only as a cornerback but also as an electric kick returner, headlines the list of returning defensive backs. Jordy Kibamba and Kahlen Branning will both see plenty of time at the corner opposite Campbell and elsewhere in the backfield, while Justin Edralin and Joey Dwyer will likely see the bulk of playing time at halfback with Patrick MacDonald returning at safety and Mason Rossler or Jeff Propp at dimeback. The staff is anticipating significant contributions from newcomers Ellis and Greene, who should slot in to supplement the nucleus of returners.
Defensive Line
The defensive linemen are led by the veteran Perkins, who’s preparing for his fourth season with the Rams and will anchor the interior of the line. The staff expects a vastly increased role for second-year lineman Thomas Lill, with Viena also slated to see significant playing time after playing basketball for the Shoreline Dolphins the last few seasons.
Punters & Kickers
Fabian, who handled placekicking and punting duties for the Calgary Colts for the last five seasons, is expected to step right in for the Rams this season with two years of CIS eligibility remaining. Fabian was named a Prairie Football Conference all-star in four of his five years with the Rams and was also named the league’s outstanding special teams player last season.

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

Leave a Reply