3 Ram commits calling Regina home

Rams add three local products to their 2019 class.

CFC100 Colby Joyes, an offensive lineman from Clavet School, and defensive back Jaxon Fuchs and defensive lineman Payton O’Connor from Michael A. Riffel Catholic High School felt there was no need to stray too far from home after having signed with the University of Regina Rams.

CFC100 Colby Joyes

When it came down to choosing a school, CFC100 Colby Joyes wasted no time choosing his provincial team.

“This school offers a variety of great programs, is close to home for me and has a great staff and player group,” said Joyes, who is interested in psychology. “They are an incredible group of elite staff that is extremely prepared, focused and encouraging.”

Living in Clavet, Saskatchewan, which has a population of around 410 people, it can be difficult to be noticed. “I believe the CFC Top 100 list helped put me on the map,” Joyes said. “It’s a great platform.”

Joyes is a towering 6’7, 300lbs lineman. He has played the game for seven years. In high school he was a member of the Clavet Cougars (SHSAA). He also played for the South Sask Selects. In 2017, he was named lineman of the year with the Selects. He also received a leadership and dedication award in the Saskatoon Minor Football League. He won two championships last year, the provincial championship with the Cougars and the Pigskin International Bowl. He was the Cougars’ rookie of the year in 2015.

 

Jaxon Fuchs

It is often said that home is where the heart is, and for Jaxon Fuchs, he knew he belonged at home. “I chose to commit to the Rams because it’s in my hometown and I already know a lot of the coaches and players on the team. I also like what they’re doing with the program, so it just seemed like a great fit,” the product of Regina, Saskatchewan, said.

“Head Coach Bryce seems like a great guy,” he added. “I’ve also worked with a lot of the other coaches on the team through various camps and other teams I’ve played on. I’m also really excited to work with the defensive coaches again because they have a lot of experience.”

Fuchs, who is entering his fifth season, has played with the Peewee Razorbacks (RMF), the Bantam Stampeders (RMF), the South Sask U16 team and the Michael A. Riffle Royals (RHSAA). In his first year with the Royals in grade ten he received the “Heart of the Royals” award. Last season he won the “Taking One for the Team” award. The 5’10, 167lbs back is interested in engineering or business administration.

The 2018 U Sports season is in its infancy, and Fuchs will have to wait a year until he joins the Rams. But, it’s a wait that’s worth it. “I’ve always dreamed of being a part of the Rams organization,” he said, “and I’m really excited for this opportunity.”

 

Payton O’Connor

Payton O’Connor has not been playing the sport for long. He is only beginning his third year. That didn’t deter the Rams, however. “All these other players my age already had multiple scholarship offers. The Rams are the only school that really showed me the love. I felt the love here,” he said.

“They jumped on me right away about signing and wanted me to sign right away, so I really felt the love. You can tell the coaching staff cares about the players here on and off the field and that’s important to me,” he added.

O’Connor called the coaching staff great, saying that they all have great experience and hold a lot of knowledge about the game. He said he also played under a lot of them before and “they do care about you as a football player, but also as a person and as a student.”

Standing at 6’2, 220lbs, O’Connor is a Regina boy who played with the Riffle Royals. “The Rams are the hometown team,” he said. “There is nothing better than playing for your hometown and even better, help brining your hometown team its first Vanier Cup.”

When contemplating university programs, O’Connor said he is interested in taking criminology with the aspirations of going into law.