Gee-Gees invade cégep circuit, add 3

uOttawa adds three Québec commits to their 2019 class.

The 2019 season will be an adjustment period for Pascal Ménard, an athlete from Cégep Beauce-Appalaches, but he is ready to give is all to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Defensive lineman Gabriel Aupin from Champlain College Lennoxville and Jacob Rouse from Collège de Valleyfield will also be joining the Gee-Gees.

Pascal Ménard

When he was younger, football wasn’t really on Pascal Ménard’s radar. It wasn’t until his last year of high school that he picked up the sport. It was a new program at his school, l’école de l’Île, and a new experience. But he wasn’t about to go through it alone. He had his best friend, Alex Foley, beside him.

While he wasn’t recruited to a cégep team, he joined Les Griffons du Cégep de l’Outaouais (RSEQ Division 2) where he met Coach Marc-Oliver. After two years, he transferred to Les Condors du Cégep Beauce-Appalaches (RSEQ Division 2), following both Marc-Oliver and Foley.

“(Marc-Oliver) helped me become the player I am today,” Ménard said. “I owe these two guys a lot in making me the football player I am today, especially Alex. I couldn’t ask for a better friend and he helped me a lot to become a better person”

Foley will be sticking to the RSEQ after committing to the Laval Rouge et Or. “It’s a little disappointing to not play together for the first time,” Ménard said, “but I’m happy for him and we’ll play together soon enough, pros hopefully!”

In the meanwhile, Ménard will be running with the Gee-Gees. He said he chose uOttawa because it was a good fit for him. “They were interested from the start and the defensive coaching staff is really impressive and good, some of the best in the business,” he added. “I also think I can make an immediate impact and compete on the team coming from cégep on special teams and also on defense.”

And what will be his secret if he is to succeed? “My best quality is my work ethic. I want to make an immediate impact and help this team. I’ve always exceeded expectation by outworking everybody else,” Ménard said. “I’ll earn everything that I can achieve, and I can’t wait to play football again.”

Ménard, who is interested in taking business, added that, “I also think they (the Gee-Gees) have a great tradition of forming absolutely great defensive backs like Jamie Harry this year, a bit like LSU.”

When he spoke about the coaches, Ménard said he thinks they are one of the best in Canada and that they’ve proven it by having one of the best defences. “Great coaching staff…(and) great mentality too,” he said.

During his career, the 5’10, 200lbs athlete has played as a SAM linebacker and safety. He was a member of the Sélection Outaouais, “where I met one of the best coaches I know and one of my mentors, Coach Frank Rodrique.”

While he will be without his best friend, Ménard already knows a few players on the team. “I appreciate (them) a lot too, like Thomas Carrier, Kyle Rodgers, Cedric Amessan and Raph Coté,” he said.

The first product from Cégep Beauce-Appalaches of the 2019 recruiting class!
—#GGnation join us in welcoming Pascal Ménard. pic.twitter.com/JjbeDL6mdB

— Gee-Gees Football (@GeeGeesFootball) January 15, 2019

Gabriel Aupin

Originally form Blainville, Québec, Gabriel Aupin has spent the last few years in Lennoxville, Québec, with the Champlain College Lennoxville Cougars (RSEQ Division 1). The 6’3, 230lbs athlete has played with the Cougars since 2016 as a tight end and defensive end.

An experienced defensive line that’s only getting stronger with the signing of 6’4″ 230 lbs, end Gabriel Aupin.
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Welcome to #GGnation! pic.twitter.com/rEe8LigyTm

— Gee-Gees Football (@GeeGeesFootball) January 9, 2019

Jacob Rouse

Jacob Rouse is familiar to the Ottawa area. Hailing from Gatineau, Québec, he spent his cégep career with Le Noir et Or du Collège de Valleyfield (RSEQ Division 2). He is 6’0, 280lbs.

The tenth recruit of the 2019 class is a defensive lineman who’s not afraid to get dirty while battling it out on the line!
—#GGnation join us in welcoming 6’0″, 280 lb DL Jacob Rousel! ?? pic.twitter.com/UGgrOA23ma

— Gee-Gees Football (@GeeGeesFootball) January 18, 2019