uOttawa commits set to show up doubters in 2017

Gee-Gees bring in one out-of-province and one Ontario commit to their Class of 2017.

When haters get you down, you get right back up and show them they’re wrong, just like Jermaine Wright, a linebacker from John Abbott College, who is set to prove himself with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. Cody Baranyk, a defensive lineman from St. Patrick High School, will also be joining the team.

Jermaine Wright

Another steel sword will be emerging from the forge that is Little Burgundy, Montreal, to help the Gee-Gees next season. Jermaine Wright will be joining his John Abbott Islander (RSEQ Division 1) counterpart, Eugene Whyne, in the nation’s capital.

“Where I’m from, they eat the weak, and it’s easy to get brought down the wrong path,” Wright said. “But, football is what kept my mind right and it is what made me be able to make it out.”

Indeed, having been consumed with the sport for 15 years has been rewarding for Wright. Now, he will take the next step in both his football and education. He said he chose uOttawa because of the football program’s tradition and the fact that the team is on the up-and-coming. He is ready to throw his name into the mix.

“I believe I can step in and be a key piece to the puzzle to put them over the top,” Wright said.

He won’t have to do it all alone either. Wright added that he thinks the team has one of the top coaching staffs: “(They) understand how to bring players to the next level, which is my ultimate goal.”

On top of football, Wright was drawn to the school because of its academic prestige. He said that academics is very important to him.

The 5’11, 200lbs weak side linebacker and halfback has suited up for a variety of teams in his career, the Pointe-St-Charles Aces, the Verdun Ti-Cats and the Chateauguay Raiders. While with the Raiders in 2011-2012, he was named defensive player of the year. While with the John Abbott Islanders, he was named player of the game a couple of times in his second season.

“I’m truly grateful for those who didn’t believe in me,” Wright said. “I’m even more grateful for those who have been supporting me and this won’t be the last time you’ll be hearing my name.”

Cody Baranyk
Cody Baranyk will be coming down from northern Ontario to attend Ottawa. Hailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario, the 6’4, 245lbs lineman played high school ball with the St. Patrick Fighting Saints (Superior Secondary Schools Athletic Association). In 2015, he played with Team Manitoba in the Football Canada Cup and was named co-defensive player of the game.