Sask Huskies announce 17 recruits of class 2011

University of Saskatchewan Huskie football head coach Brian Towriss announced 17 new faces to the squad for the 2011 season Thursday at the 11th Annual Dogs Breakfast.

The 17 additions to the lineup are some of the best players in the province and Western Canada coming out of the junior football and high school ranks. The players are just some of those that the team is looking to get into a Huskie uniform for the 2011 season.

“We have an expectation each year to play and win the Vanier Cup and these athletes will play a part in that,” said Towriss. “We look forward to seeing what each of these players can do in the green and white. They will all have an impact one way or another. Some will have an opportunity sooner than others.”

Joining the Huskies after winning the Canadian Junior Football Championship with the Saskatoon Hilltops is receiver Kit Hillis. In 2010 the 5-9 Saskatoon native, recorded 581 receiving yards on 38 receptions scoring four touchdowns for the Hilltops. He also added 132 combined yards on kickoff and punt returns. In a playoff game against the Winnipeg Rifles, Hillis showed his skill recording 154 yards on five catches scoring two touchdowns.

Slotback Jerit Lambert (top picture) will join the Huskies after playing junior football with the Edmonton Wildcats. The 6-0 Edmonton native was named the Prairie Junior Football League’s Rookie of the Year in 2009, as well as an offensive all-star. In 2010, he tallied 388 receiving yards on 27 catches. He scored six touchdowns in the season. Lambert also represented Canada on Team World in 2009.

Also joining from the junior football ranks are 6-3, 270 pound defensive lineman Dylan Wright (Edmonton Huskies) and 6-0, 190 pound defensive back Tyler Robson (Okanogan Sun).

“Former junior football players enter with experience that allows them to step right on the field and make a difference,” said Towriss. “All of these guys have that.”

Ten Saskatchewan high school products join the Huskies and three Alberta high school recruits. Among them are offensive lineman Jordan Arkko from Edmonton’s Harry Ainley High School and quarterback Drew Burko from Saskatoon’s Aden Bowman Collegiate High School.

The 6-3, 300 pound Arkko, regarded as one of the top offensive lineman prospects, helped the Titans to 10 straight wins in 2010. He will also play for Team North in Alberta’s Senior Bowl in May. Arrko also played for Alberta in the 2010 Football Canada Cup. The 6-4, 210 pound Burko has played in a city, provincial or national final in each of his four high school years including leading the Aden Bowman Bears to an undefeated season and provincial final in 2009. In 2010, Burko led Saskatchewan to an under-18 Football Canada Cup title.

Other Saskatchewan high school recruits are linebackers Jordan Hilgers (Humboldt Collegiate), Geoff Hughes (Campbell Collegiate, Regina), Jacques Geyer (Central Collegiate, Moose Jaw) and David Craig Penner (LeBoldus High School, Regina); defensive lineman Glen Joorisity (Riffel High School, Regina), defensive backs Spencer Krieger (Holy Cross High School, Saskatoon), Kurtis Gryba (Bishop Mahoney High School, Saskatoon), running back Kent Rempel (Centennial Collegiate, Saskatoon) and slotback Davis Mitchell (Aden Bowman). All but Rempel were on the Football Canada Cup winning team.

Offensive lineman Clinton Reeder from Lord Beaverbrook HighSchool in Calgary, as well as wide receiver Christian Gottenbos from Memorial Comprehensive in Stoney Plain, Alberta were also announced.

“These are some of the best athletes we have been watching for a while,” said Towriss. “They all had strong seasons. We can’t wait to see what they can do for us.”

All recruits, as well as returning players, suit up in Spring Camp beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium in PotashCorp Park. Full Camp Schedule and Roster.

Recruits announced:
Jordan Arkko – Offensive Line – 6’3” 285 lbs. Harry Ainley High School, Edmonton
Drew Burko – Quarterback – 6’4” 210 lbs. Aden Bowman Collegiate, Saskatoon
Jacques Geyer – Linebacker – 6’0” 210 lbs. Central Collegiate, Moose Jaw
Christian Gottenbos – Wide Receiver – 6’0 170 lbs. Memorial Comprehensive, Stoney Plain
Kurtis Gryba – Defensive Back – 5’11” 185 lbs. Bishop Mahoney High School, Saskatoon
Jordan Hilgers – Linebacker – 6’2” 200 lbs. Humboldt Collegiate, Humboldt
Kit Hillis – Wide Receiver – 5’9” 180 lbs. Saskatoon Hilltops, Saskatoon
Geoff Hughes – Linebacker – 6’1” 185 lbs. Campbell Collegiate, Regina
Glen Joorisity – Defensive Line – 6’2” 220 lbs. Riffel High School, Regina
Spencer Krieger – Defensive Back – 6’1” 180 lbs. Holy Cross High School, Saskatoon
Jerit Lambert – Slotback – 6’0” 185 lbs. Edmonton Wildcats, Edmonton
Davis Mitchell – Slotback–6’1”185 lbs. Aden Bowman Collegiate, Saskatoon
David Craig Penner – Linebacker – 5’11” 185 lbs. Leboldus High School, Regina
Clinton Reeder – Offensive Line -6’4” 325 lbs. Lord Beaverbrook High School, Calgary
Kent Rempel – Running Back -5’11”170lbs. Centennial Collegiate, Saskatoon
Tyler Robson – Defensive Back – 6’0 190 lbs. Okanogan Sun, Kelowna
Dylan Wright – Defensive Line – 6’3” 270 lbs. Edmonton Huskies, Sherwood Park