#CFCOPC PLAYERS TO WATCH: Actions speak louder than words for Team East Sophomore LB Yusuf (VIDEO)

The countdown begins to CanadaFootballChat.com’s Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC) on the April 29th weekend at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton. In the days leading up to OPC, CFC will preview the teams and players participating in the big event. 

 

Malik Yusuf leads not with his words, but with his play.

“The biggest attribute I bring to the game is leadership,” he stated. “I see my self as defensive leader on the field and I lead with my actions by making big plays when needed.”

Throughout his tenures with Bell Warriors of the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA) and the Ottawa Myers Riders of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL), he has taken a love to lowering the boom at linebacker.

“My favourite part about playing [outside linebacker] is the need to track people down with speed,” Yusuf said. “I enjoy making big hits on the sweep or making that sack coming off the side being untouched; I love that.”

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The 6’1, 180-pound Ottawa native emulates and looks up to an NFLer coming off his first Pro Bowl selection in 2015.

“I emulate Sean Lee because in my eyes hes a complete linebacker,” Yusuf expressed. “He always plays aggressively and always knows where the ball is.”

Yusuf will add to his lengthy resumé when he heads to Tim Hortons Field to partake in the 2016 Ontario Prospect Challenge at the end of April.

“I was introduced [to the OPC] by my head coach Paul Stewart of the Warriors,” he pointed out. “The process has been excellent. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to a lot of universities at the different tryouts.”

Yusuf possesses some lofty expectations for his first OPC.

“My goals this year in OPC are to win defensive player of the game and gain more exposure,” he uttered.

The 2018 graduate says he will be looking beyond the bright lights and the big stage once game time arrives.

“I will react to the pressure of OPC by looking past the height of the game and focusing on the goal which is to win and leading the defence with action on the field,” elaborated Yusuf.

 

 

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