DB Lessard plans on being difference maker with Les Lynx du Cégep Édouard Montpetit

Courtesy of Gabriel Lessard.

A simple invitation from a friend would change the course of Gabriel Lessard’s life forever; he just didn’t know it at the time.

With a career five years in the making, Lessard started playing football after his friend suggested he should drop by a practice. “The team spirit and the contact game was attractive to me,” he said. “Football is (now) part of my lifestyle.”

Standing at 6’1, 188lbs, Lessard can be found in a shutdown role on the defense. The halfback said that, “I like the fact that I have access to the ball and I can change the momentum of the game.” He added that he also has to support the run and make important tackles at his position.

And does he ever make those tackles. Last season, he had four and a half sacks. He registered 22 solo tackles, 31 assisted tackles and three tackles-for-loses. He also had one forced fumble and one pass defended. While with Team Québec this summer, he had six solo tackles and two assisted tackles, as well as one interception.

Lessard enjoys being a difference maker. And when he takes to the field, there are two players he keeps in mind as his inspirations. The first is Sean Taylor, who was a free safety for the Washington Redskins. Lessard said he is an inspiration because of the intensity he showed during games. The second is former NFLer Deion Sanders for his defensive back techniques.

Gabriel Lessard (#1, right) and his teammate celebrate winning gold at the 2017 Football Canada Cup. Courtesy of Gabriel Lessard.

But, when it comes to who he models his game after, he looks towards the Canadian game. He said he chose linebacker Chip Cox from the Montreal Alouettes because of his way of seeing the game and “his quickness to react to any type of play.”

Set to join Les Lynx du Cégep Édouard Montpetit (RSEQ Division 2), where he will be studying human science, Lessard has big plans for the new season. His first goal is to earn a starting spot on the roster despite being a rookie. “I have a pretty good size, which helps me a lot on the run support. I also have a good reaction (quickness on the ball) on cut coverage,” he said.

Lessard’s second goal? To help bring Les Lynx their first Bol d’Or. He is already familiar with winning it all after winning the gold medal at the 2017 Football Canada Cup with Team Québec. He said that this experience was his most memorable and that it will help him at the next level.  He also participated at an elite football camp, Bruno Heppell, where he was the defensive back MVP. In 2016, he was part of the Tim Hortons’ All Stars Team where he also won the best DB award.

Currently also running track to improve his explosiveness, speed, agility and quickness, Lessard won’t be alone on his quest to further improve. He will be working with his trainers Julien Deschêches and Frederik Corbeil to further develop his strength and power.

Gabriel Lessard (#1)
Defensive back (halfback)
6’1, 188lbs

Teams: L’Express du Collège Saint-Sacrement, LLL (Spaulding Cup), Team Québec
Official visits: none
Unofficial visits: none
Considerations: open
Class: 2019

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