GUELPH, Ont. – Fresh off a Yates Cup final appearance in 2012 and riding the momentum of an Alumni Stadium facelift, the Guelph Gryphons football team is hoping to hit it big with their 2013 recruiting class.
“We’re pleased to bring in these young men to our expanding football program. They are a high-quality group of players who fit our areas of need and provide us with exceptional speed and strength,” said Head Coach Stu Lang. “Our recruiting success is a result of a team effort from all our coaches and recruiters. They did a great job again this season as we continue to attract high school players from across Canada to come to Guelph.”
The Gryphons announced today their defensive recruiting class for next season, which includes a total of 19 players.
“With the departure of a number of fifth year veterans we needed to add players in a few different places,” said Defensive Coordinator Kevin MacNeill. “Our biggest need was in the defensive secondary where we brought in several outstanding players. This is the best DB recruiting class that I’ve been a part of over the past nine years.”
MacNeill said the other predominant characteristics of this year’s class bring a well rounded student-athlete. “This group possesses top notch speed, athleticism and play-making ability. They also come with great character, focus, drive to succeed, and a willingness to compete.”
Below is a player-by-player look at the Guelph Gryphons newest group of defensive football recruits, sorted by position then in alphabetical order with player’s bio.
Athletes who commit to any Guelph Gryphon team will be eligible to compete provided they are academically admissible to the University of Guelph.
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Name: Mitchell Hooper
Hometown: Barrie, Ont.
High School: Eastview Secondary
Program: Bachelor of Applied Science, Applied Human Nutrition
Position: Defensive End
HT/WT: 6’3” / 245 pounds
Mitchell comes to Guelph from Barrie, Ont., where he played high school football at Eastview Secondary and was coached by University of Guelph alumnus and football great, Jeremy Oxley. He was named the Junior Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2009, Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, and Senior Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2011.
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Name: Daniel Horta
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.
High School: St. Marcellinus Secondary School
Transfer from Concordia
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
Position: Defensive Line
HT/WT: 6’1” / 280 pounds
Daniel played summer football in the OVFL for the Mississauga Warriors. He was selected as a 2010 and 2011 Varsity All-Star and played in the OVFL Prospects Game. At St. Marcellinus he was named Top Lineman from 2009-2011. Dan is transferring from Concordia to Guelph for this 2013 season.
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Name: Ian Marouf
Hometown: Fort Erie, Ont.
High School: Lakeshore Catholic High School, Erie Community College
Program: General Studies
Position: Defensive Line
HT/WT: 6’2” / 265 pounds
Ian is a product of Lakeshore Catholic High School. He played summer football in the OVFL for the Niagara Spears. Ian has won two Provincial Championships, was named Lakeshore Catholic Best Lineman, Niagara Spears Outstanding Lineman, and Erie Community College Defensive MVP Rookie of the Year. Ian was also named Best Lineman with the CJFL Burlington Braves.
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Name: Ben Osmow
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.
High School: St. Marcellinus
Transfer from University of British Columbia
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice & Public Policy
Position: Defensive Line
HT/WT: 6’3” / 245 pounds
Ben played his summer football with the Mississauga Warriors of the OVFL. He is a product of St. Marcellinus High School. Ben played in the 2010 Canada Cup in Nova Scotia for Team Ontario West and was named to the GHS All-Star team in 2011. He decided to come back closer to home after he spent his freshman year playing at the University of British Columbia.
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Name: Jordon Bell
Hometown: Etobicoke, Ont.
High School: Richview Collegiate Institute
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Position: Linebacker
HT/WT: 5’11” / 227 pounds
Jordon is the twin brother of Jailon (other recruit listed below) who resides in Etobicoke and played in the OVFL for the Eagles. He is a 2013 GTA Current All-Star. He attends Richview Collegiate where he won the 2011 Toronto City Championships. 2010 was a big year for Jordon as he was an OVFL All-Star and Team Offensive MVP and won the Taylor Whitney award as the Football Man of the Year with the Etobicoke Eagles.
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Name: Derek Drouillard
Hometown: London, Ont.
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Co-op
Position: Linebacker
HT/WT: 6’2” / 185 pounds
Derek is a product of the great talent pool London has produced over the years. Throughout his high school football career Derek has reached the finals every year. He graduated high school as a city champion with St. Thomas Aquinas and a 2012 OVFL Varsity champion as a London Jr. Mustang. Derek chose the University of Guelph because of, “the great academic support, the family atmosphere of the locker room, the small campus, and the opportunity to excel as a player on the off the field.” Derek also played in the 2012 Canada Cup for Team Ontario West where he won a bronze medal.
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Name: Deurell Jackson
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.
High School: St. Joseph
Transfer St. Mary’s University
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice & Public Policy
Position: Linebacker
HT/WT: 5’11” / 198 pounds
Deurell comes to Guelph as a Saint Mary’s transfer. Being close to his hometown of Mississauga was an important decision to join the up and coming Gryphon football program. Deurell will join former OVFL teammates Jadon Johnson and Bryce Hines. He attended St. Joseph Secondary School where he was team captain, Player of the Year, and Special Teams Player of the Year.
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Name: Robin Petrie
Hometown: Cambridge, Ont.
High School: St. Benedict Catholic
Program: Bachelor of Science, in Environmental Sciences
Position: Linebacker
HT/WT: 5’11” / 195 pounds
Robin is a local talent who played in the OVFL for the Cambridge Lions. He was named Defensive MVP every year at St. Benedicts and Athlete of the Year in 2010 and 2012. In 2009 and 2010 Robin was the Defensive MVP for his Cambridge Lions. Robin was also a part of the 2011 GHR Rising All-Star team and 2012 GHR Current All-Stars and played in the 2011 OVFL All-Star game.
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Name: Riley Baines
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
High School: St. Patrick’s
Program: Bachelor of Commerce
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 5’10” / 195 pounds
Riley is a two time NCAFA All-Star and MVP for the Canterbury Mustangs. He is a two time high school All-Star and has one Tier 2 Championship with St. Patrick’s Irish. He played summer football for the Cumberland Panthers of the OVFL, was named a Team Ontario East starter at the 2011 Canada Cup in Lethbridge. And most recently was an Ottawa Sooners Defensive Player of the Year.
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Name: Jailon Bell
Hometown: Etobicoke, Ont.
High School: Richview Collegiate Institute
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 5’10” / 180 pounds
Jailon is excited to start his academic and athletic career at the University of Guelph. When asked why he chose Guelph, Jailon said it was for “the academic support system for its student-athletes.” Being together with his brother and childhood friend and teammate Shaquille Munroe will make the transition to University smoother.
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Name: Orion Edwards
Hometown: Newmarket, Ont.
High School: Newmarket High School
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice & Public Policy
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 5’8” / 162 pounds
Orion comes to Guelph from Newmarket where he played for Newmarket High School and the York-Simcoe Young Bucs. He was a two time GTA and York Region Athletic Association All-Star Defensive Back in 2011. During his Newmarket High School career Orion was named team MVP twice. When asked why he chose to be a Gryphon, he commented, “family environment and the opportunity to be part of a secondary that will play together for the next several years.”
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Name: Kadeem Ellis
Hometown: Scarbourgh, Ont.
High School: Agincourt Collegiate
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 5’10” / 165 pounds
Kadeem was a 2011 OVFL Varsity Champion with the Scarborough Thunder. He was the Thunder’s Team Captain in 2011 and 2012. In 2011 he played in the GTA Rising All-Star game, a back-to-back 2011 and 2012 OVFL All-Star, and two time Special Teams Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012. In 2012 Kadeem led the OVFL in Kick Return Yards with 504 yards averaging 36 yards/carry and 1 TD.
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Name: Korey Greene
Hometown: Scarbourgh, Ont.
High School: Agincourt Collegiate
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Co-op
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 5’11” / 175 pounds
Korey comes to the University of Guelph as an Agincourt Collegiate Athlete of the Month winner, OVFL All-Star in 2010, Junior Varsity All-Star in 2011, and 2013 GTA Current All-Star. Korey will bring his hard work ethic to the program and plans on studying Psychology and entering Co-op so he can apply his theory into the workplace.
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Name: Bryce Hines
Hometown: Brampton, Ont.
High School: St. Marguerite D’Youville
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice & Public Policy
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 6’3” / 180 pounds
Bryce was the 2011 Paul Boswell Most Valuable Defensive Player as an OVFL Brampton Bulldog. During his high school career at D’Youville he was a two time ROPSSAA champion in 2010 and 2012. In 2011 and 2012 he was named D’Youville’s Defensive MVP. Bryce will join D’Youville and Bulldogs teammate Jadon Johnson as they continue their football and academic careers at Guelph.
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Name: Jadon Johnson
Hometown: Brampton, Ont.
High School: St. Marguerite D’Youville
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice & Public Policy
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 5’10” / 165 pounds
Jadon played for Team Ontario West in 2011 in Lethbridge where he was named Defensive MVP for game one. In 2012 Jadon followed up his Team Ontario performance with a bronze medal and was named Defensive MVP for the Tournament. He is a 2012 OVFL All-Star with the Brampton Bulldogs. In his high school championship game he ran for 354 yards and 5 TDs. This past February Jadon travelled south to Austin, Texas to take on Team USA as he was a part of Team Ontario Selects. Jadon is also a track star in Ontario and has been clocked at a 40 yard time at 4.39.
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Name: Shaquille Munroe
Hometown: Etobicoke, Ont.
High School: Etobicoke Collegiate Institute
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Economics
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 5’9” / 180 pounds
Shaquille was a member of the Etobicoke Collegiate Rams from 2008-2013 and was a defensive and offensive MVP. He also played summer football in the OVFL for the Etobicoke Eagles where he was a GTA Rising All-Star. In 2011 Shaq was the OVFL interception leader. Shaq says that the coaching staff was a major part in his decision because he felt the University of Guelph is where he can improve his skill sets on and off the field.
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Name: Mannie Quainoo
Hometown: Whitby, Ont.
High School: Donald A. Wilson
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice & Public Policy
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 5’9” / 170 pounds
Mannie was named a 2011 GTA Rising All-Star playing his summer football for the Oshawa Hawkeyes. He was a Metro Bowl Champion at Donald Wilson as well as a three time LOSSA Champion. He intends on studying Criminal Justice and Public Policy while at the University of Guelph.
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Name: Leigh Szela
Hometown: Burlington, Ont.
High School: Corpus Cristi
Program: Bachelor of Science, Bio-Medical Science
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 5’11” / 175 pounds
Leigh grew up playing summer football for the Burlington Stampeders of the OFC. He is a dual threat on the field as he played both running back and defensive back at Corpus Cristi. In 2009 he was named Offensive MVP and was a part of the undefeated champion Stampeder team in 2010. In 2011 he made the All-Star Tier 1 team as a running back and as a defensive back in 2012. He was also voted as the key defensive player on his 2012 varsity team.
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Name: Anthony Trabucco
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.
Program: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Position: Defensive Back
HT/WT: 5’11” / 165 pounds
Anthony joins the Gryphons from the Hamilton Hurricanes football program. One year removed from Bishop Ryan Catholic High School in Hamilton, Anthony has played several years in the OVFL for the Hamilton Ironmen where he was among the team leaders in tackles. He chose the University of Guelph for the academic support and it’s a school he has a great deal of respect for.
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