Gryphon football adds 13 to 2012 Roster (video’s)

The Guelph Gryphons football program announced the addition of 13 players to the team’s 2012 roster today.

“We’re excited to announce the addition of these 13 players to our roster,” said University of Guelph head football coach Stu Lang. “They provide us with exceptional talent at several different positions and represent our expanded recruiting efforts.”

The group of 13 consists of student-athletes whose hometowns are spread among three provinces: 10 from Ontario, two from British Columbia and one from Halifax.

“We’re stepping outside of Ontario’s borders more often and widening our potential talent pool. The fruits of our labour are Guelph’s first coast to coast blue chip recruits – Mikey Carney from BC and A’Dre Fraser from Nova Scotia,” said Lang.

Players committed to the University of Guelph football program:

Name-Position-Hometown-High School
A’Dre Fraser – WR – Halifax, NS – Citadel
Michael Carney – QB – Burnaby, BC – St. Thomas More
Ben Osmow – DL – Mississauga, ON – St. Marcellinus
Pat McGrath – LB – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Sir J Dunn
Martin Popiel – TE – Sarnia, ON – St. Christopher
Brandon Hunter – DB – Burlington, ON – Assumption C.S.S.
Colin Mandich – DB – London, ON – St.Thomas Aquinas
Colin Booth – WR – Sault Ste. Marie – Superior Heights
Kevin Thompson – DL – Kingston, ON – Frontenac SS
Scott Morrison – LB – Sarnia, ON – St. Christopher
Jordyn Mittoo – DB – Mississauga, ON – Mississauga Warriors
Jake Pinnock – DB – West Vancouver, BC – West Vancouver SS
Nathaniel McKenzie – LB – Brampton, ON – Notre Dame SS

Name: A’Dre Fraser

Position: Receiver
Hometown: Halifax, NS
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170
High School: Citadel
Club Team: Halifax Seahawks, Team Nova Scotia 2011

The Gryphons are very excited to welcome from Halifax’s Citadel high school, speedster A’dre Fraser. At 6’0″ and 170 lbs, this receiver and return specialist is an elusive playmaker with 4.5 speed. Fraser scored 18 touchdowns in 10 games on his way to being selected the NSSAF overall MVP and the special teams player of the year. Fraser was a first team Nova Scotia all-star at receiver. His honours went well beyond these high school accomplishments. He was a member of the Team Nova Scotia under-18 squad in 2011 and was the offensive MVP of the under-17 squad in 2010. Also in 2010 he was a Junior Varsity offensive MVP in the NSFVL summer league playing for the Halifax Seahawks.

Name: Michael Carney


Position: Quarterback
Hometown: Burnaby, BC
Height: 5’11
Weight: 175
High School: St. Thomas More
Other Team: Team BC 2011

Mikey Carney is a high profile national recruit out of Burnaby, BC. He is a three-sport star from St Thomas More Collegiate who also quarterbacked Team BC in last summer’s Football Canada Cup to a bronze medal. He was the player of the game on that day. This outstanding 5’11″ 170lb pivot will bring great athleticism into the Gryphon backfield. In 2011 Carney passed for 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He also rushed for 443 yards and five touchdowns. An all-round athlete, Carney also played defensive back for the Knights. In addition to his football exploits Carney won a gold medal at the 2011 BC Secondary School track and field championships in the 4×100 metre relay and he also excels as a point guard for his highly ranked basketball team.

Name: Ben Osmow

Position: Defensive Line
Hometown: Mississauga, ON
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 245
High School: St. Marcellinus
Other Team: Mississauga Warriors, Team Ontario West 2010

The Gryphons struck gold with this nationally recruited Team Ontario West standout when he went with his gut and committed to Guelph. Osmow is a 6’3”, 245 lb force on the defensive line. This two-time Golden Horseshoe all-star had three sacks in last year’s All-Star Extravaganza. He is from Mississauga and played high school football at St. Marcellinus and in the OVFL with the Mississauga Warriors where he was an all-star. Ben will be joining many of his Team Ontario and All-Star teammates who have committed to Guelph over the last two years. The Gryphons will be looking for Osmow to contribute right away and add the finishing touches to an already dominant defensive unit.

Name: Pat McGrath

Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 195
High School: Sir J Dunn
Other Team: SSM SaberCats, Team Ontario West 2010

Pat McGrath has been considered one of the top linebacker prospects in Ontario for the past few years. McGrath was a member of the 2010 Team Ontario West squad. He is a three-time OFSAA Northern Bowl champion, twice with Sault Ste. Marie’s Superior Heights Steelhawks (2010 & 2011) and once with the Sir James Dunn Eagles (2009). McGrath captained all three of those teams. McGrath was the defensive player of the year for Sault Ste. Marie high school football in 2009. He is a three-time city all-star at linebacker. In 2011 the 6-foot 195lb linebacker finished ninth in the OVFL in defensive points with 28 solo tackles, 37 assisted tackles, two solo sacks and an interception. The Gryphons are looking forward to seeing Pat join his friend and ex teammate Ian Hutchison on defence. Hutchinson played in his rookie season with the Gryphons. We expect the same from McGrath.

Name: Martin Popiel

Position: Tight End
Hometown: Sarnia, ON
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 230
High School: St. Christopher

Martin Popiel brings size and athleticism to the team. He uses his 6-foot-7 230 lb frame to play both ways for his Sarnia St. Christopher high school football team. Popiel played both tight end and defensive end but will more than likely concentrate on the offensive side for the Gryphons. He is a dominant blocker and a very large target down field. The Gryphons are excited to see this new addition at fall camp.

Name: Brandon Hunter

Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: Burlington, ON
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 182
High School: Assumption C.S.S.
Other Teams: GHS All-Star 2012

Brandon Hunter is a great addition from the Burlington area to the Gryphons squad. A two-way starter for his high school, he played both defensive back and quarterback, and was named Assumption’s most valuable player. Hunter also was selected to the 2012 Golden Horseshoe all-star team this spring. The Gryphons are excited about this addition and hope he can compete early in a secondary that has had seen a number of graduations.

Name: Colin Mandich

Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: London, ON
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 173
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas

The Gryphon’s are pleased to welcome Colin Mandich from the London area to the Gryphons team for 2012. He brings great athleticism and will look to compete at cornerback. Mandich is a multi-sport athlete also being a very good basketball player. This past season he won the Ted Elderly graduating player of the year award, which is awarded to London’s top basketball player. He was St. Thomas Aquinas’s Team MVP for football as well this past season, and the offensive MVP in grade 11. Mandich joins former teammates Matt Nesbitt and Cam Walker who both saw playing time in their freshmenn year.

Name: Colin Booth

Position: Receiver
Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170
High School: Superior Heights
Other Teams: SSM Sabercats

Colin Booth is a great two-way threat and one of the top skill position athletes coming out of Sault Ste. Marie this year. He is a three-time OFSAA Northern Bowl Champion and voted Superior Heights male athlete of the year. He helped lead his team to victory making two big catches in the Northern Bowl this season finishing with three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. He also played an important role in the secondary shutting down the Thunder Bay offence. He will join current teammate Pat McGrath and former teammate Ian Hutchison at Guelph this fall and is a great addition to this year’s class.

Name: Kevin Thompson

Position: Defensive Line
Hometown: Kingston, ON
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 230
High School: Frontenac S.S.

Kevin Thompson comes to the Gryphons after winning the OFSAA Capital Bowl title this past November. His frame at 6-foot-3 and 230lbs will bring versatility to the defensive line this fall. Thompson was one of the top defensive lineman in the Kingston region this past year and we are excited to have him as part of our family.

Name: Scott Morrison
Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Sarnia, ON
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 210
High School: St. Christopher S.S.

Scott Morrison brings toughness to the Gryphons this fall. He was one of the top linebackers in the Sarnia region this past season. Morrison will be joining his teammate Martin Popiel and we are excited to have them both.

Name: Jordyn Mittoo

Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: Mississauga, ON
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 160
High School: Father Michael Goetz
Other Team: Mississauga Warriors, GTA All-Star 2012

Jordyn Mittoo joins the Gryphons from the Mississauga area where he was a three-year captain for his High School team. He played free safety for the Mississauga Warriors this past season in the OVFL, helping them to the semi-finals. He is also a two-time GTA all-star. Mittoo loves to hit and will bring his hard work and grit to camp this August.

Name: Jake Pinnock

Position: Defensive Back
Hometown: West Vancouver, BC
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 185
High School: West Vancouver S.S.

The Gryphons are very excited to welcome Jake Pinnock to this year’s recruiting class. He was a two-way starter for West Vancouver S.S., playing defensive back, receiver, running back and quarterback. He was the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year, and won the Coaches award in 2011. He was also nominated as a North Shore all-star this past year. Pinnock is a great athlete with good size and the Gryphon’s are happy to start to work with him in camp.

Name: Nathaniel McKenzie

Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Brampton, ON
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 205
High School: Notre Dame S.S.

Nathaniel Mckenzie not only looks the part, he hits the part too. Nathaniel will most likely be looking at coming into camp as a linebacker. He was a two-way starter and integral part of Notre Dame in Brampton, which were the Peel Region Champions. McKenzie will be joining his two teammates Shaquille Johnson and Elias Mensah in camp this summer.