#CFCOPC PLAYERS TO WATCH: Team Central Varsity DB McWhirter excited to return to Tim Horton’s Field

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

Once you get a taste of a professional stadium, it is hard to go back to an ordinary field and for Danny McWhirter of Team Central Varsity, he is itching to get back onto the gridiron at Tim Hortons Field.

“I chose to play in the OPC because it will allow me the opportunity to play with and against some of the top athletes in the province,” McWhirter said. “It also gives me a great chance to learn new skills form different coaches.”

For McWhirter, the highlight of the OPC has been OUA Top Prospect Combine. The event gave him the chance to meet and demonstrate his abilities to CIS coaches as well as see how he matched up against other athletes.

The young football player has played six years with the York Simcoe Bucs (Ontario Varsity Football League) and the past three seasons with his high school team, the Huron Heights Warriors (York Region Athletics Association).

McWhirter, who is 6’3, 175 pounds, currently plays as a defensive back and kick retuner, however he has also played as a wide receiver and running back. “I like the physicality of playing on defense and the challenge of going one on one with a receiver,” he said.

In an era of football dominated by many famous players, McWhirter has decided to draw inspiration from another pool. “While I admire many pro athletes, my football inspirations have hit closer to home,” he said. “I have had a couple of really good coaches who have helped shape me as a football player.”

He added that, “They have shown me that through hard work and dedication, I can achieve any goal.”

Danny McWhirter (#27) jumps for the ball. Courtesy of Paul McWhirter.

Danny McWhirter (#27) jumps for the ball. Courtesy of Paul McWhirter.

This will not be the first time McWhirter has stepped out onto Tim Hortons Field, having done so when he played in the Simcoe Bowl this past season with the Warriors. “It was an amazing facility to play at and I look forward to playing there again,” he said.

“I am just going to focus on playing the game and playing to the best of my ability,” he added.

McWhirter will be graduating university in 2017. His goals for next season are to have a successful senior year with the Warriors, make it to the #CFC100 rankings and get noticed by some scouts and coaches so he can play university ball. He said he is open to all options.

In the meantime, McWhirter would like to develop his skills as a player when he plays in the OPC. He would also like to have an impact on the game. As for the team, the goal “would be to put our best effort forward and hopefully come out with a win,” he said.

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