T-Birds finish recruiting season strong by adding to size and speed with Pennell, Livermore and Morrison

Once again it has been a solid off season for the T-birds who conclude the off-season with roughly 32 new faces on the Roster. The final push of the recruiting season really solidified some areas of concern for the T-birds especially with regards to size and speed.

Perhaps one of the biggest recruits for the Birds (both literally and figuratively) is O-lineman Alec Pennell of Maple Ridge. Pennell is 6’6 – 320 lbs. Offensive Tackle from Maple Ridge and son of former UBC O-line coach Rick Pennell. Alec played his High School football at Terry Fox Secondary and played the last two seasons in Junior Football with the 6 time defending BC Champions the VI Raiders. Pennell is big, athletic physical and plays with an edge. He should have no problem competing to fill the hole left by the departure of the Birds left Tackle Patrick Sullivan.

Livermore was one of the top offensive players in Ontario this past season and represented Ontario at the Canada Cup this past summer in Lethbridge. Livermore hails from Burlington, Ontario. Livermore is also a versatile player can assume kicking duties should he be called on to do so.

Morrison this a huge receiving target at 6’4 – 210 and has demonstrated very good speed being a former track athlete as well. Morrison is the product of a strong football program in Northern Ontario. He has soft hands and should develop as a big part of the future Birds’ passing attack.

The complete list of our final group of recruits which we are very excited about is below:

JAMES DOWDALL 5’10 170 REC COQUITLAM FALCONS-Standout in Midget football in the lower mainland.

JESSE NEUFELD 6’2 220 H ABBOTSFORD COLLEGIATE – talented TE/H with nice hands and very good athleticism.

JESSE FORCIER 5’11 180 RB MISSION HS – Tough runner with a great burst.

LANDON DOELL 6’0 265 OL AIDEN BOWMAN COLLEGIATE – Solid intelligent football player from Sask.

ZACH CHAMBERLAND 6’1 250 OL MISSION HS – Gritty player with High football IQ and pretty quick off the ball.

BRYDON COTTER 6’4 250 OL VANCOUVER COLLEGE – One of the top BC High School players. Great frame and loads of future potential.

GRAEHAM TOD-TIMS 6’3 200 LB WEST VANCOUVER – Great Athlete, mobile and tons of potential.

MATT WEINMANN 6’3 235 DL WILLIAM ABERHARDT, CALGARY, ALBERTA – Great Football sense and good frame.

DALLAS YASSINSKY 5’11 180 DB/WR ABBOTSFORD COLLEGIATE – Athlete with speed and play making ability.

NATHAN BERG 5’10 175 DB JOHN BARSBY – Pure football player and play-maker on either side of the football and on special teams.

REGAN EBERDING 5’10 170 NEW WESTMINSTER HS – Versatile Athlete with good football sense.

JOSEPH MALABUYOC 6’1 225 LB VANCOUVER COLLEGE/U OF HAWAII – Transfer from Div. -1 football should bring veteran savvy to our LB’s and special teams.

CHRIS MACPHIE 6’4 260 DT BURLINGTON BRAVES BURLINGTON ONTARIO – Great size and lots of future potential.

TRAVIS MCDONALD 6’3 225 DE SOUTH DELTA – Fast off the ball and holds the edge well.

Files from UBC athletics