Colquhoun adjusting to life at Michigan State

Michigan State Football has one Canadian on their roster for the 2011 season and its Windsor native Arjen Colquhoun.

Colquhoun who was coached by Harry Lumley at W.F. Herman Secondary School for five years and is one of the top athletes the coach has ever seen.

“He’s a pure athlete,” said Harry Lumley. “Grade eight I saw him play pee wee football. His father used to play for me and I told him this kid can go division one easily. I knew he is going to be outstanding. “

During the recruiting process, Colquhoun took part in many different combines and camps put on by some of the major football programs in the United States. Some athletes struggle with these types of work outs but not Colquhoun.

“When he went to Norte Dame and Michigan State for the testing he just blew everyone away. The kid jumped a 39 inch vertical and ran the 40m in 4.38seconds,” said Lumley. This led to schools from all over the United States wanting Colquhoun to be a part of their football programs. “He was being pursued by Norte Dame, Alabama, Auburn, Washington and a whole slew of teams.”

In the end, Colquhoun chose the school he thought would be a winning team and offered some of the top facilities to train at. He also liked the fact his coaches were straight forward and were focused on improving their team.

“I liked the facilities and the coaches were very good. They were confident and focused on having a winning program. It seemed like a good place to play football and get an education,” said Colquhoun.

Living on campus is another obstacle that freshman must overcome. Some are living away from home for the first time and can have trouble adjusting.

“Living on campus is different,” he said. “There is no mommy or daddy to help you, but it helps you to grow up as a man. Plus it’s kind of good because you don’t have to make your own food and you have a cafeteria that’s always open.”

Colquhoun has yet to play in a game for Michigan State due to a shoulder injury that has required multiple surgeries. He has participated in practices and finds them to be on another level compared to high school.

“Practice is very different from high school. They’re fast pace, high intensity and very competitive. You got to go hard every day and push through even when you’re banged up and bruised,” said Colquhoun. “The coaches are aware that everybody is a good athlete so now it’s about perfecting our technique and learning the right skill set.”

In the classroom Colquhoun is studying political science as well as prelaw and has plans for after his football days are over.

“I’m studying this program because I enjoy learning about laws and government. I feel I would make a good lawyer or maybe pursue a career in law enforcement.”