Gryphons address defense, offense with 3

Guelph adds one nothern Ontario commit and two southern Ontario commits to their 2018 class.

Offensive lineman Gordon DeJong from West Ferris Secondary School and fullback Emmanuel Ituara and receiver Matt MacGillivray from Catholic Central High School are ready to play their hearts out for their new team, the University of Guelph Gryphons.

Gordon DeJong

Born and raised in the ‘Gateway of the North,’ Gordon DeJong from North Bay, Ontario, will be heading to more southern waters. He said he chose Guelph because they offered his program of interest, wildlife biology and conservation.

“I really liked what the football program had to offer as in facilities and student-athlete support,” he added. “I really like the coaching staff at Guelph (too). They have a very family feel and I like that they want to make me the best player I can be and a better person in whole.”

Starting in grade nine, DeJong has played with the West Ferris Trojans (Nipissing District Athletics) throughout high school. He also spent a season with the North Bay Bulldogs (OPFL) in 2015. He is a three-time NDA champion in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2015, he was lineman of the year. Last season, the team also won the NOSSA championship and the 6’5, 260lbs left tackle was named as an all-star.

Gordon DeJong 6’5 260 OT from West Ferris in North Bay just Committed to @uofg #NextGryphon Welcome to the #GryphonFamily ? ?⚫? pic.twitter.com/dfMqVXZ6NW

— Gryphon Football (@GryphonFootball) February 21, 2018

Emmanuel Ituara

After graduating, Emmanuel Ituara decided to stay an extra year with the Catholic Central Crusaders (Thames Valley Regional Athletics) to better his recruitment options. He said he chose Guelph because the team offered him the opportunity to compete for a roster sport early on.

“The facilities and the academic support caught my attention on my visits as well,” he added. “The coaching staff was very informative when it came down to visits, had a lot of information that helped me with my decision. They were welcoming from the first day I was recruited.”

Ituara is interested in taking criminal justice and public policy. Standing at 6’0, 220lbs, the product of London, Ontario, won an OPFL championship last season with the London Jr. Mustangs.

Big Signing today at CCH in London. Emmanuel Ituara signs his LOI and is the #NextGryphon ? Welcome to the #GryphonFamily #TeamFirst pic.twitter.com/1Uqhmro3za

— Gryphon Football (@GryphonFootball) February 8, 2018

Matt MacGillivray

It wasn’t just football that caught the attention of Matt MacGillivray. The dual-sport athlete said he chose Guelph because he wanted to compete in both football and track. “Both of their programs are exceptional. I want to further develop my skills as a football player, but I also want to push myself in track and see if I can compete at the international level,” he said. “The experience and talent of the coaches and athletes I’ll be surrounded by will definitely push me further in the right direction for both sports.”

MacGillivray, who has played football for 11 years, added that both the football and track practices are run in a similar manner to what he has experienced in high school. “So, it just seemed to be a natural extension of what I was already doing,” he said. “The school itself is smaller and well laid out…I just felt the most comfortable there.”

It was Coach Todd Galloway who introduced MacGillivray to the school. He said he really connected with him and that Galloway gave him an unofficial tour. “He really made us feel comfortable and answered all my questions,” MacGillvray said. “When I went on my official visit, I had a heart-to-heart conversation with Coach McNeill and it felt like I was already one of his players.”

He added that, “Team first means a lot to me and I am looking forward to my football career as a Gryphon.”

MacGillivray also played with the Crusaders in high school as a wide receiver and cornerback. Calling London, Ontario, home, he also spent two seasons with the London Jr. Mustangs (OPFL). In 2015, he won an OFSAA Bowl. He is a three-time high school athlete of the year and a four-time LDA conference champion. In 2017, he was named as the team offensive MVP. During the off season, the 6’4, 190lbs athlete trained for track and field. He has applied to landscape architecture and criminology.

2⃣ Sport Athlete ? ??‍♂️ Matt MacGillivray is the #NextGryphon – London CCH – We are very excited to have this extraordinary athlete join our #GryphonFamily @Gryphontrack pic.twitter.com/idhorR3dcY

— Gryphon Football (@GryphonFootball) February 21, 2018