BC’s Irons & Wilkinson both sign with NCAA schools during signing ceremony (VIDEO)

Two CFC TOP 10 players from British Columbia signed their NCAA Letter of Intents at a signing ceremony held today at BC Lions Practice Facility.

Both Maleek Irons and Zach Wilkinson officially inked their offers.  Irons is headed to the Ohio Bobcats while Wilkinson will be a part of the Northern Colorado Bears.

Irons, 6’0, 205 pound running back from Abbotsford, British Columbia gained interest from several NCAA schools including Idaho, Portland State, Washington, Washington State, Nevada Oregon, Oregon State, Montana and Kansas. However, Irons settled on the Bobcats.

“I was in communication with a number of schools right up until my visit with Ohio,” commented Irons.  “It’s exciting when the letters arrive in the mail and I thought I would stay on the West Coast close to home.”

“I was fortunate enough to have options but Ohio felt right from the beginning.”

The British Columbia running back is looking forward to becoming a part of the Bobcats and hopes that he can make an instantaneous impact when given the opportunity.

“I feel like I can contribute with my physical running style – pass catching and blocking,” explained Irons.  “I want to be a complete back and never leave the field.”

“I hope to improve in all areas under Head Coach Frank Solich and Tim Albin (Offensive Coordinator) in Ohio.”

Ultimately, Irons is relieved, yet happy that this day has come.

“I feel good about my decision,” expressed Irons.  “I am relieved by the decision.”

“It’s been a couple of years of wondering and talking about options and now that I know its Ohio, I can really focus on things like school and training.”

This past season, Irons was selected as a BC ‘AAA’ Offensive MVP as well as Eastern Conference Offensive MVP while playing for his high school team, WJ Mouat Hawks of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA). In the Hawks 63-48 win on October 18^th against the Centennial Centaurs, Irons amassed 462 rushing yards on 15 carries and scored six touchdowns. This was his best performance of the 2013 season.

In the 2012 season with the Hawks, he dominated on the field as he amassed 3204 rushing yards, which was an average of 10.5 yards per carry, 494 all-purpose yards and scored an astounding 45 touchdowns. He set the single season provincial rushing record that year.  For his efforts on the field, Irons was named BCHSFA’s Outstanding Offensive Player.

Additionally to playing for the Hawks, CFC TOP 100 Irons has suited up for the Westside Warriors, Mission Niners and Chilliwack Giants.  Among the honours he has received has been Team MVP in the Starbowl, Top Running Back Award at FBU Camp, Team MVP at his high school (2011), Team MVP (2012).  In grade 10, he was named Athlete of the Year and was inducted into the Abbotsford Sports Wall of Fame at the Legacy Sports Centre.

It’s not lost on Irons all the individuals who have played a part in all the success he’s been able to achieve which has brought to this this stage in his gridiron career.

“I have so many people to say thank you to,” expressed the Hawks running back. “My Mom and Dad of course for endless reasons, Coach Kelly and the WJ Mouat staff and teachers, my teammates over the past two years, and the Mouat football players before me, so many great athletes that welcomed me to Mouat and helped me my grad 9 and 10 years.”

“Thank you to the other coaches around BC High School Football like Doug Pauls; he was my first football coach and one of my Team BC Coaches.  I have always had a great deal of support from family and friends and I know how lucky I am in that respect.”

 

As for Wilkinson, 6’5, 260 pound offensive tackle from Victoria, British Columbia had a unforgettable Christmas.

“My first offer came on Christmas Eve from Northern Colorado’s Offensive Line Coach Chris Smith,” explained the CFC’s #7 player.  “It was truly the best Christmas gift of all and ironically I tweeted about wishing for Santa to give me a Division 1 Scholarship in my stocking for Christmas just two weeks earlier.”

Initially, Wilkinson was caught off guard by the offer and was impressed with UNC after he visited the campus a couple of weeks ago.

“I was surprised to have received this offer from UNC because I had never sent them my film,” commented Wilkinson.  “Coach Smith and I set up a visit for the weekend of Jan 17-19.”

“Being offered a NCAA scholarship was the greatest feeling ever. I was flown into Denver, Colorado on January 17th and we drove 30 minutes north to Greeley. This is where my recruiting weekend began at UNC.  While I was there I was seriously impressed by the facilities and opportunity at UNC. It really gave me something to think about.”

North Dakota was also in the running and  several NCAA schools were in contact to express their interest in CFC TOP 100’s Wilkinson including Reno, Washington, Kansas, Washington State, Syracuse, Wyoming, Portland State and Boise

This past June, the offensive lineman was invited to two NCAA camps – University of Oregon’s Nike Football Training Camp and University of Nevada Reno.

CFC TOP 100’s Wilkinson but his heart belonged with Northern Colorado.

“UNC exceeded all expectations,” added Wilkinson.

Wilkinson began his gridiron career at the age of seven with Coquitlam Minor Football in the atom level. In grade seven, he moved on to play for the bantam North Surrey Eagles.   After two years, the CFC TOP 100 standout then suited up for the junior varsity Centennial Centaurs of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA).

In grade 11 due to his mother’s work commitments, moved to Victoria and joined the BCHSFA’s Mount Douglas Rams for the final two years of high school football.

Among the honours he has received in his career include: 2013 AAA BC High School Defensive Player of the Year, 2013 BC Provincial All Star, 2013 Western Conference Defensive MVP, 2013 Western Conference Provincial All-Star, BC ‘AAA’ High School Provincial Champion with the Rams three consecutive times, 2012 BC 1st Team Provincial All-Star at an offensive line position, 2012 Western Conference All-Star at an offensive line position.

While there is a sense of relief that he has come to his final decision, Wilkinson’s focus now turns to his future with the Bears.

“I knew that Northern Colorado wanted me and there was a great opportunity to train, play and get my education over the next few years,” said Wilkinson.  “I am glad to say this recruiting process has come to an end in such a great way.”

“I have dreamed of playing Division 1 football since I was a kid.  10 years of football later and I can say I am one of the few who will get to compete at the highest post -secondary level.  I have found a place I can seriously call home.”