Today, CFC shines the spotlight on Class 2012 star wide receiver and recent University of Alberta commit, Ryan Brower. Ryan began his football career in grade nine with the Sherwood Park Northstars.
Ryan Brower
Positions:
Wide Receiver, Slotback
Height/Weight:
5’11, 165 lbs
Teams:
Salisbury Composite Sabres (high school: ASAA)
Mount Dog Rams (high school: “AAA”, BCHSFA)
Sherwood Park Northstars
Commitment:
Commitment to University of Alberta
Class:
2012
After starting out with the Sherwood Park Northstars, Ryan moved on to play for two seasons with his high school team, the Salisbury Composite Sabres of the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA).
Due to a family move to Victoria this past fall, the offensive standout suited up for the Mount Dog Rams of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA).
Winning the ‘AAA’ provincial championship with the Rams has been the highlight of Ryan’s football career thus far.
“The game was a roller coaster as we were down by 22 points in the 1st half and we kept fighting back through a lot of adversity and we overcame it,” explains the Rams wide receiver of the experience. “I was just so happy to be a small part of that team.”
“We had a lot of talent, with guys like Terrell Davis (Arizona State commit), Jordan Deverill (Simon Fraser University commit) and so many others that contributed to our team’s success. Everyone on the team had a key role to our success this year.”
For his efforts with the team, Ryan was awarded the school’s Most Inspirational Player Award.
“I have always been able to pick guys up and motivate them to that next level of play, and I feel it is one of my best assets as a leader,” adds Ryan of the honour.
Ryan says that he’s been fortunate to work with some of the greatest quarterbacks during his high school career. Those quarterbacks have played an integral role in the wide receiver’s gridiron success.
“In my mind, of course I’m bias they’re two of the best in the country: Jordan Deverill and Matt Bonaca from Salisbury (University of Saskatchewan commit),” says Ryan. “Jordan was a big reason for my success at Mount Doug.”
“As soon as I moved to Victoria, he was calling me to go run routes and get our timing down, teach me the playbook.”
After spending only one semester in Victoria, Ryan and his family moved back to Sherwood Park. The wide receiver will graduate from Salisbury Composite in the spring.
Moreover, he will prepare for the next phase of his academic and football life at the University of Alberta. Recently, Ryan committed to the school and says there were many factors that influenced his decision.
“One of the biggest reasons is Alberta is my home; I’m a country boy and I love it here,” comments the future Golden Bears player. “I’m excited to join the Bears and be a piece of the puzzle of returning that team to the top; I’m excited for what the future holds here.”
“Another reason would have to be I have a lot of family here, and with my family and friends around here to support me, I can only succeed.”
In football, Rams receiver coach and trainer Chris Schaalo has been an encouraging, yet motivating influence on Ryan’s career.
“He has been a huge support through this year,” explains the offensive star. “There were times when I was down on myself this year and he just lifted me up to a new level.”
“He was also a huge support through the whole recruiting process; I owe a lot of thanks to him.”
Away from the field, Ryan’s family, in particular, his parents and grandparents have been his main life influences.
“My Dad is always there to push me and encourage me; things don’t come easily and I’ve learned that from my Dad,” says the offensive gun. “As for my Mom, she has always been there to support me, help and encourage me.”
“As well as both my grandparents, they are big football fans and introduced me to football as a baby; they took me to games as a little guy.”
Once he moves onto the University of Alberta, Ryan will continue to strive to be the best student-athlete he can possibly be through his hard work ethic. Ultimately, he will continue to reach for his goals by using the things he’s learned from the game.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned from the game is that, no matter how far you get behind, no matter how many times you get knocked down, you just have to get back up, dust yourself off and continue to work your tail off to get back on top,” says Ryan. “Fightt hrough all adversity.”
“Faith, Focus, Finish. Be a person who is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful.”
Drawing from his own experiences, Ryan knows what it will take to be successful on and off the field.
“Our provincial championship game when we were down 22, and came back to win was a big lesson,” comments Ryan. “As well as in 2010 with Salisbury, in the Carr Conference Championship game, we fought back against all odds versus hometown rival Bev Facey to win.”
“Philippians 4:13 in the Bible states: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”. This speaks to that, if you have faith, anything is possible.”
Video of Ryan’s Football Highlights:
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