Nine years is a long time for an athlete to be involved with one sport for, but Kieran Cummings still appreciates every minute of it.
βFootball means everything to me, it’s made me the respectful young man I am today,β he says. βIt’s a constant in my life that I can always count on.β
He has competed for a number of different teams during his playing days; the North Winnipeg Nomads, Team Manitoba, and his current high school squad, the Garden City Fighting Gophers. Kieran collected some hardware when he won gold while playing for Manitobaβs U16 team. During the 2016 season, he compiled 34 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 blocked punt.
Kieran is veryΒ passionate about the position he plays. βI love the heart it takes to play DT,β Kieran says. βEvery play you have to give your all.β He spends βa lot of time watching pro DTs and studying their movesβ.
βEspecially Dave Onyemata, on how well he did shedding blocks in the CIS. The strength of Ndamukong Suh and how he overpowers o-linemen, Brandon Williams, who came out of a small school and is dominating the run game in the NFL and Eddie Steele, who is teaching me everything that got him to the pros. How he never gives up on any play,β he says.
As for pre-game rituals, they are part of his regular routine, including a favourite meal consisting of βfettuccine alfredo with chicken,β which gives him the proper nutrients to perform at a high level. Music is also part of his preparation before games as he listens to βa mix of 70s, 80s and 90s tunes.β
βI sing with my songs on my playlist, then I head out to the field early and go over all my pass rush moves on the goal post,β Kieran says.
When it comes to the recruitment process, it has been an enjoyable experience so far.Β Kieranβs top 3 choices, in no particular order, are the University of Manitoba, McGill University and North Dakota State University. βHearing from schools that are interested in me, possibly playing for their school really is exciting,β he says. He is interested in taking Physical Education with a goal of becoming a Phys. Ed. teacher in the future.
To reach the stage that heβs currently at, Kieran has received support and guidance from family and coaches.
βMy parents have always been by my side on and off the field, pushing me and doing all they can to help me succeed,β Kieran says. βBeau Wills, my head coach, by being a great example on the field to me and always trusting me to have input and his always positive outlook is something I strive to have. Also, coach Eddie Steele for being a Manitoba kid who made it to the pros and who does everything he can to make sure I can have the same opportunity or more than he had.β
Kieran is always striving to improve different aspects of his game as well. βI am working on getting stronger; I’m training with Recruit Ready in both their speed/agility sessions as well as their new strength training program,β he says.
The future is bright for Kieran, as he values both football and education. He believes that he has the tools needed to succeed at the next level.
βI’ve been training hard for a couple years and understand the challenges of being a student-athlete,β he says. βI know at the next level I will need to give my all every workout, practice and game. I feel that I am up to the task.β
Kieran Cummings
DL, OLΒ
6β1, 325 lbs
Teams: North Winnipeg Nomads, Garden City Gophers (high school)
Commitment: None
Official Visits: None
Unofficial Visits: Minnesota-Crookston
Consideration: Manitoba, McGill, North Dakota State, Open
Class: 2018
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