#CFCOPC RB Tucker a star in the making (VIDEO)

UCC Blues’ standout is currently considering McMaster and Western.

It’s a chapter that’s eight years in the making for Rasheed Tucker, a running back for the Upper Canada College Blues on the Conference of Independent Schools of the Ontario Athletics Association, but he has no plans of ending it quite yet.

Rasheed Tucker

Positions:
Running back
Returner

Height/Weight:
5’10, 180lbs

Teams:
Upper Canada College Blues (high school: CISAA)
U15 Team Ontario (International Bowl)
Durham Dolphins (junior varsity: OVFL)
Ajax-Pickering Dolphins (house league: OFA)

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
None

Consideration:
McMaster University
Western University
Open

Class:
2018

Tucker was thrown into the world of football at the tender age of eight. After playing two years in the Ajax-Pickering Dolphins house league, he moved to rep football with the Dolphins. He continues to play for the club, although the team is now known as the Durham Dolphins. Tucker has also had the opportunity to play with Team Ontario U15 in the International Bowl and on Team Central in the 2016 #CFCOPC Ontario Prospect Challenge.

The young running back has a long list of football achievements, which started in 2010 when he was named the Dolphins’ Offensive MVP. Two years later, he was named as the Dolphins’ Team MVP. He would regain his Offensive MVP title in 2014. The following year, he won Rookie of the Year with the Blues’ senior varsity football team, which he played for in his grade ten year. He also played in the 2015 OVFL all-star game and was recently named to the 2016 OVFL all-star roster as a running back.

The icing on Tucker’s proverbial cake, however, was when he helped the Blues win the CISAA championship. “It was an unforgettable experience to see the hard work that my teammates and I put in payoff with the privilege of gracing that trophy, was one of the sweetest experiences of my life,” he said.

Rasheed Tucker (#21) charges ahead with his Dolphins teammates. Courtesy of Rasheed Tucker.

Rasheed Tucker (#21) charges ahead with his Dolphins teammates. Courtesy of Rasheed Tucker.

Set to graduate in 2018, Tucker is currently considering attending McMaster University or Western. He said he would also love to play football in the United States if the opportunity presented itself. His post-secondary goal is to go into the health sciences while playing football. He added that he would like to continue on in football for as long as possible and when that chapter is over, he plans on pursuing a career in sports medicine.

Tucker is entering grade 11 this year and so his recruitment process is only beginning. He said that he is excited and looking forward to having success with it in the future.

However which way the story may unfold, Tucker is grateful for his supporting cast, his parents and his two brothers, Kareem and Shareef. “There haven’t been many football games I’ve played in since the beginning where all four of them haven’t been in the stands cheering me on. The support they provide me with is exceptional and I thank god for them every day,” he said.

On the field, Tucker said the most influential people in his life right now are his running back coach, Theron Walker, and his head coach, Jeff McConkey. Walker, who was a former running back with a full scholarship at the University of Buffalo, has shared his wisdom with Tucker and has helped him become better at his position.

“Coach Walker is able to examine the smallest of mistakes that I make on any given play. This can be annoying at times, but in the end, it always proves to be extremely valuable to my growth as a player,” Tucker said.

“Coach Jeff is one of my biggest motivators. He expresses a great deal of faith and belief in me, which really does give me the confidence to play to the best of my abilities. He also gives me really great advice on what I should be doing to prepare for the next level of football, what I need to train the most and how to be a leader on the football field,” he added.

Rasheed Tucker (#28) runs with the ball. Courtesy of Rasheed Tucker.

Rasheed Tucker (#28) runs with the ball. Courtesy of Rasheed Tucker

During the winter offseason, Tucker stays in shape by going to the school gym three to four times a week. He trains using a program that the school’s strength coach, Mr. Verboom, has created for the football team. During the season, he said that he tries to lift at least twice a week despite the difficulty in balancing workouts with a busy football schedule.

This season, Tucker plans on improving by sticking to his workout schedule in order to put on more size. He also plans on starting intensive speed training at Complete Performance Centre.

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