#CFC100 Burniston: “Getting this offer was amazing” (VIDEO)

From the moment he completed his high school season with Canisius Crusaders, NCAA Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team, Wagner Seahawks were relentless in their pursuit of #CFC100 athlete Cole Burniston.

“Early after my highschool season at Canisius finished, Wagner had contacted myself and my head coach Rich Robbins,” recalled the 6’2, 225 pound native of Grimsby, Ontario.  “They talked about how they were interested in me and all that.”

“After a phone call with the tight ends coach Walt Kusmirek, he said it would be a great decision to come to the camp in Staten Island at the end of July.”

At the end of the month, Burniston along with #CFC100 ranked Zeke Margaritis and Giovanni Gilchrist all attended that camp.  During lunch after the first half of camp was completed, Seahawks Head Coach Jason Houghtaling pulled Burniston aside and informed him that the program was going to offer him.

“I guess my reaction was pretty apparent; he seems to be able to tell it was my first one,” reflected the athlete of the exchange.  “I felt a huge sigh of relief, because I’ve been training for so long and the feeling of someone putting their trust into you and giving you this opportunity is amazing.”

“Getting this offer was amazing.”

Upon receipt of the news, Burniston said he shared his good fortune with his two friends and new acquaintances he met during the camp.

“After that, the rest of the camp was just ten times more exciting knowing that these coaches that I’m working with could potentially be my future coaches,” added Burniston.  “The entire staff at Wagner was amazing.”

“They all were so cool, fun to be around but they knew what they were talking about.”

For Burniston, the offer was a culmination of the hours of hard work, dedication and sacrifices he made to make his gridiron dream become a reality.  He began his career with the Niagara Spears organization that compete in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) where he played at the bantam and junior varsity levels.  In grade nine and ten, he suited up for the Blessed Trinity Thunder of the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association (NRHSAA).

Then, the athlete opted to head south of the border and join Buffalo, New York high school team, Canisius Crusaders in grade 11.  The move paid off as he was selected as an All-Catholic Selection and The Buffalo News Sports third team All-WNY last season.

This past May, Burniston was included in the first edition of the #CFC100 CLASS 2017 RANKINGS.

“When the #CFC100 got released, I had no idea I’d made it actually, untill Zeke had told me we had both made it,” recalled Burniston of how he found out of his ranking.  “I was actually surprised as to how well I ranked;  it was a great feeling knowing that my name is known in the Canadian football community and to see it next to some of the great players my age like [Joshua] Palmer who I played with on Team Ontario as well as all the boys playing in Virginia – like these kids have hand fulls of offers from some of the top football programs in the country!”

“It really was a great exprerience.  Hopefully if I can get some more offers and I can kill it this season.  You never know, my ranking could go up, but I do have some top notch players right there in front of me so it’s not going to be easy.”

Currently, Burniston’s focus in on his summer camp circuit.  He has been busy as he participated in ones at Ohio State, Pittsburgh Boston College, Syracuse and a couple of smaller schools in the Northeast area.

Moreover, he is training hard during the offseason in the hopes that he can reach a major objective with the Crusaders this upcoming fall. The athlete is also thrilled that he will enter the 2016 campaign healthier than the previous year.

“As of now, I’ve been in the gym and in the field just trying to get better any chance I get,” described Burniston.  “This fall is going to be an exciting one; this is my senior season and I’m planning on going out with a bang and a ring.”

“We have a lot of seniors this year that started as juniors last year and we also have very talented juniors that are going to be key players, to say the least its going to be hell of a season.  I’m personally excited for this year because I’m going into this season 100 percent. Last year, I had just finished a full football season with the Niagara Spears and I was a bit worn out coming into the high school season, but this time around I’m healthy and ready to get on the field.”

As for a decision on the offer from the Seahawks and his future, Burniston is undecided but is soaking the experience of receiving his first NCAA offer in right now.  Ultimately, the unknown is intriguing and the athlete cannot wait to see what unfolds in the coming weeks and months.

“I haven’t really given any thought as to when I’m going to commit, most likely after the season,” expressed the #CFC100 recruit.   “I’m going to have to weigh out my options.”

“I guess we’ll just have to see what the future has in store for me, I’m very excited.”

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)