Early recruitment splash (VIDEO)

OUA team lands four Ontario recruits and Gryphons transfer for 2014 season.

With commitments already being locked up for the 2014 season, one OUA team has come on strong making an early recruitment splash.

The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks have landed four Ontario recruits and a transfer with the commitments of CFC TOP 100 ranked player Isaiah Guzylak-Messam, defensive back Dayvon Love, tight/end receiver Mario Villamizar, running back Tre Nicholson and transfer Jamie Lalonde.

Here are the newest recruits to join the Golden Hawks:

ISAIAH GUZYLAK-MESSAM:

The 6’2, 195 versatile player from Hamilton, Ontario was at ease not only with the academic and football aspects but the Waterloo community and is looking forward to suit up in a Golden Hawks uniform.

“I decided to commit to Laurier because one they don’t have as big classes as your typical huge lectures which are a good thing and Laurier has a good kinesiology which is what I plan on eventually taking,” explained Guzylak-Messam of his decision.  “Also I like how the city feels with both Waterloo and Laurier it makes it a great community.”

“As far as football goes, I like where this program is going.  I know this team is going to do big things in a few years and I want to be a part of it. I know I’ll be able to contribute to the team as soon as I get there if I show the staff that I can play at this level. The school has a history of winning and I want the history to come back there. Also, I believe in the coaches’ abilities to make me a better player and prepare me to be able to reach my goal of playing at the pro level.”

Among the teams Guzylak-Messam has played for include Sir Allan McNab Lions of the Hamilton Wentworth Intercollegiate Athletic Association (HWIAA) and Team Ontario Selects.  Additionally, he was a member of Team Ontario Selects that travelled to Texas this past winter to play against Team USA. Guzylak-Messam plays wide receiver, defensive back and special teams (return specialist).

Golden Hawks Head Coach Michael Faulds is thrilled with landing a CFC TOP 100 ranked player that possessed talent and experience such as Guzylak-Messam.

“Isaiah has the size every coach dreams of having in the defensive secondary,” commented Faulds.  “His 6’2 frame will make it tough for opposing quarterbacks to find windows to throw the ball.”

“Isaiah’s talent is known throughout the province and it is great to get a CFC top 100 player this early in the 2014 recruiting class.”

DAYVON LOVE:

The Golden Hawks coaching staff was the key factor in the 5’9, 175 pound defensive back and athlete’s decision to commit to the football program.

“How they care for their kids at Laurier as the coaches treat me like I am their own son especially Coach (Anthony) Cannon, (Dwayne) Cameron, Faulds and many names I am missing,” said Love.  “They brought me into their family and made me feel like this is home.”

“It also helped the fact that I played for IDFFL before even considering Laurier as a school.   The program itself and the players are all as excited as I am for next year. Coach Cameron and Coach Cannon are coaches that can elevate my game to the next level. I believe the best coaches bring out the best in players.”

Currently, the Toronto, Ontario native is playing his fifth and final season with high school team, Don Bosco Eagles of the Toronto District Catholic Athletic Association (TDCAA).

“The Eagles team this year is young but a strong group of boys to play with,” added Love, who also played for the Metro Toronto Wildcats of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL).

Already, the Golden Hawks have great expectations for Love and are looking forward to having him in the fold for the 2014 season.

“Dayvon Love will be the Tyrann Mathiew (Honey Badger) of CIS Football,” explained Faulds.  “Dayvon has a terrific knack for finding the football.”

“He also has electrifying playmaking ability as a special teams returner.”

MARIO VILLAMIZAR:

For the 6’3, 230 pound tight end/slotback from St. Catherines, Ontario, the reason he committed to the Golden Hawks was simple.

“I committed to Laurier was because it has my program for school and I felt at home there,” expressed Villamizar.  “The family feeling that the team gave me sold me to that school.”

“Laurier just seems like a good fit for me and I benefit from going there because they run a tight end set on offense.”

Villamizar has suited up for the Niagara Spears of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and his high school team, Holy Cross Raiders of the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association (NRHSAA).

Faulds said the Golden Hawks will tremendously benefits from Villamizar’s size, athleticism and experience in the future.

“Mario is a very big framed wide receiver/tight end,” assessed the rookie Golden Hawks Head Coach.  “He had an extremely successful season with the Niagara Spears this summer making it all the way to the OVFL Championship.”

“For his size, he is extremely athletic and will be a great offensive weapon and have a huge impact for us on special teams.”

TRE NICHOLSON:

The 5’11, 188 pound running back from Kitchener, Ontario was ranked on CFC’s TOP 100 in March 2013.  Among the teams Nicholson has suited up for include the Twin City Predators of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) and his high school team, Eastwood Rebels of the Waterloo County Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WCSSAA).  Last season, he was selected as a high school league all-star for his exceptional play on the field.

“Tre has the speed you do not see too often in a high school player,” added Faulds.  “He has the ability to take it the distance every time he touches the ball.”

“We are excited that Tre has decided to stay at home and play here at Laurier. He has all the tools to be not just a good, but great CIS football player.”

JAMIE LALONDE:

Lalonde joins the Golden Hawks as a transfer from the Guelph Gryphons.  Previously, the offensive lineman from Hamilton, Ontario has suited up for the Sir Alan McNab Lions of the Hamilton Wentworth Intercollegiate Athletic Association (HWIAA) and the Hamilton-Wentworth Panthers of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC).  A highlight of his gridiron career was when he represented Team Ontario West at the 2011 Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta.

“Jamie was recruited by absolutely every team in 2012 and we are thrilled that Jamie has decided to join our football program for the 2014 season,” commented Faulds.  “He has all the tools to have an immediate impact for us and will be an anchor up-front for many years.”

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