Laurier coaches teach commits to play ‘the right way’

Laurier adds four Ontario commits to their 2018 class.

When something feels right, sometimes you need to simply go for it, and defensive lineman Jaimen Allison from Saunders High School and defensive back Nico McCarthy from St. Michael’s College School did just that when they signed with the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.

Defensive back Christopher Haggart from Lorne Park Secondary School and defensive lineman Brandon Omonuwa from Etobicoke Collegiate Institute will also be joining the Golden Hawks.

Jaimen Allison

Jaimen Allison has had Type 1 diabetes since he was 11. It never deterred or slowed him down. His first sport wasn’t football, however. It was hockey. Football was never in the forefront of his mind. A former OHLer, he was drafted in the sixth round and played with the Oshawa Generals during his career. With only six games of football experience under his belt, he didn’t need much time to catch the eyes of the Laurier recruiters.

“Even before I started playing football, I’ve always thought about going to Laurier. It just happened that they were the first team to seriously talk to me about playing at the next level and from there everything fell into place. It’s a great place to be if you’re a student and I really felt that on my visit there,” he said.

Eager to learn, Allison added that Head Coach Faulds and Coach Cameron “have all the knowledge and experience in order to teach me how to play the game of football the right way. Their success is well-known and it all starts with a team’s coaching staff in my opinion.”

In grade 11, Allison played two games as a special teams player on the Saunders Sabres (TVRA). In grade 12, he doubled his games played, totaling four on the season as a defensive end, linebacker and slot receiver. He plans on playing his first season of summer football this year before university.

Allison, who is 6’5, 220lbs, is interested in taking communication studies. He will be joining his teammate and close friend, Noel Franklin, on the Golden Hawks. “We are looking forward to going to school together,” he said.

Fired up to announce the commitment of Defensive End, 6’5 225pd, Jaimen Allison, of London Saunders HS to @LaurierFootball . He is a former 2015 6th Round Draft Pick of the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. Welcome Jaimen! #WeAreHAWKS pic.twitter.com/yG7wki9KHR

— Dwayne Cameron (@CoachDCameron) February 27, 2018

Nico McCarthy

It didn’t take long for Nico McCarthy from Scarborough, Ontario, to feel comfortable at Laurier. “I chose this school because I felt like it was the best place for me to become a better player as well as a (better) student. I know people who go there as well, and I truly enjoyed my campus visit,” he said.

“(The coaches) are accomplished as a coaching staff and really gave me a good vibe when they gave me a tour around the school,” he added.

Standing at 6’0, 180lbs, McCarthy spent five years with the Toronto Thunder and one season with the St. Michael’s Kerry Blues (CISAA). In 2017, he helped his team win an OFSAA Bowl and CISAA championship. He is interested in economics or financial mathematics.

Pumped! Defensive Back Nico McCarthy from @KerryBluesFTB is now a Golden Hawk! https://t.co/Th3u5tb1Tk pic.twitter.com/hfRXC6CxOM

— Michael Faulds (@MichaelFaulds) March 5, 2018

Christopher Haggart

Christopher Haggart is a resident of Mississauga, Ontario, where he played high school ball with the Lorne Park Spartans (ROPSSAA) and the Mississauga Warriors (OVFL). In 2017, he was a ROPSSAA all-star and a defensive MVP. He is 6’0, 185lbs. In the 2017 OFSAA Central Bowl, he scored a 70-yard touchdown off of a fake punt. The Spartans won the Central Bowl that year.

5 STAR! Extremely hard hitting DB Chris Haggart from @LPspartansports @LorneParkNews is now a Golden Hawk! https://t.co/jB0WdtXBsK pic.twitter.com/bHuBsfwj9z

— Michael Faulds (@MichaelFaulds) February 26, 2018

Brandon Omonuwa

Brandon Omonuwa played with the Etobicoke CI Rams (TDSSAA) and the Etobicoke Eagles (OVFL) in his hometown of Etobicoke, Ontario. He stands at 6’3, 260lbs.

BIG addition to the 2018 @LaurierFootball recruiting class in 6’3″ 260lbs DT Brandon Omonuwa https://t.co/oO70TDETdo pic.twitter.com/Bz4yW08YZW

— Michael Faulds (@MichaelFaulds) February 28, 2018