Gee-Gees commits hungry to succeed

Gee-Gees add two local commits to their 2019 class.

After signing with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, CFC100 defensive back Kevin Victome from Football North Clarkson and linebacker Richard Graham from Football North St. Joes will be staying in the city they love.

CFC100 Kevin Victome

It’s time for Kevin Victome to come home. “I knew I wanted to stay in Ottawa and play football for my hometown for a while,” he said. “Going on a visit to uOttawa showed me a side of the football program I had not yet seen.”

The Gee-Gees are about to lose one of their star corners, Jamie Harry. “There’s currently very big shoes to fill at that boundary corner position,” Victome said. “I feel like that is the opportunity to show my teammates, my coaches and the OUA that I am capable of holding down that position from the beginning and for years to come as well.

At the end of the day, I knew that Ottawa was a place I would be able to enjoy my whole time while playing the sport I love.”

Speaking of coaches, Victome said that they are “great guys who had knowledge for the game and definitely knew what they were doing and where they wanted to be with the team. There is a lot of experience and intelligence throughout the entire coaching staff.”

In particular, Victome said the defensive coaches he has met showed him how they care and how they want him to succeed with them both on and off the field.

Victome, who is interested in criminology, also had the pleasure of meeting some of his future teammates. “The players I met where all cool guys that I could tell from the get-go that they were extremely skilled and ring hungry,” he said.

In his eight-year career, Vicomte has played for a variety of teams, including the Gloucester South Raiders (NCAFA), the Cumberland Panthers (OPFL), Football North St. Joes and Football North Clarkson. He also a three-time member of Team East at the Fox 40 Prospect Challenge.

Standing at 6’0, 170lbs, Victome is a two-time team and special teams MVP. He also won an offensive MVP award. He was the 2014 and 2016 FPC team MVP and the 2015 FPC offensive MVP.

“But, the 2017 OPFL championship ring is my most cherished award because of everything the team and I had to overcome,” he said, “and for it to finish the way it did, it was more valuable to me than any MVP trophy I own.”

While with Football North in 2017 and 2018, Victome said he played against the best of the best teams in the United States. While his original intention was to be able to play NCAA Division 1 football, he said he couldn’t because of some eligibility issues. But, “uOttawa has welcomed me with open arms, and I am very grateful for that,” Victome said.

“I feel like the competition I would go against on a day-to-day basis and the tools that I have been surrounded with in order to succeed will help out a tremendous amount. It has gotten me prepared for my career in the OUA and I hope to be able to prove myself and make some noise from game one of my freshman season.”

Looking towards the future, Victome hopes to find himself on a CFL roster one day. He said, “I am a very big believer in the expression, ‘the sky is the limit if you believe in yourself,’ which is what pushes me to shoot for the stars.”

STAYING HOME! #GGnation join us in welcoming Kevin “TK” Victome! ?? pic.twitter.com/NnTqMJDEli

— Gee-Gees Football (@GeeGeesFootball) February 26, 2019

Richard Graham

Richard Graham isn’t moving anywhere anytime soon. “I decided uOttawa because I know I’m going into a strong program with great coaches and my city behind me,” the product of Ottawa, Ontario, said.

“Coach Nate has been talking to me since grade ten and I’ve heard nothing but the highest of words about all the coaches,” he added.

The 6’3, 224lbs athlete played with the South Ottawa Mustangs, the Gloucester South Raiders and the North Gloucester Giants in the NCAFA. He played OPFL ball with the Cumberland Panthers and the Ottawa Jr. Gee-Gees. In high school he played with Football North St. Joes.

He was named as ‘wide receiver of the year’ in 2018. In 2017, he was ‘defensive player of the year’ and an OPFL champion. The year prior he was named as ‘rookie of the year.’ He has also won a few coaches’ choice awards and another defensive player of the year award. He played in the Fox 40 Prospect Challenge two years ago.

Interested in law and criminology, Graham is currently on track to graduate with honours. “I’m excited for this opportunity to work really hard to contribute to the program,” he said. “Also, I’m very thankful for the coaches believing in my potential.”

The LB squad just got a little bigger! #GGnation Richard Graham is staying home! ?? pic.twitter.com/skS9hFVj0N

— Gee-Gees Football (@GeeGeesFootball) March 19, 2019