Sault Ste. Marie’s standout focused on upcoming season instead of recruitment
Coming off a career best season, Sault Sabrecats lineman Devon Cranston is excited for the new challenge that comes with being a senior.
Devon Cranston
Position(s):
Offensive Line (Guard, Tackle), Defensive Line (Nose Tackle)
Height/Weight:
6’1, 250lbs
Teams:
St. Mary’s College (high school)
Sault Ste. Marie Sabercats (OVFL)
Commitment:
None
Official Visits:
None
Consideration:
Open
Class:
2018
After picking up football only two years ago in grade nine, Devon fell in love with the game.
That same year, Devon started for his high school, St. Mary’s College junior team.
Playing both offensive and defensive line, Devon won the “Most Valuable Lineman” Award from St. Mary’s College and the 2014 “High School Jr. Football Curtis Grandmount Award for Outstanding Lineman” from the city of Sault Ste. Marie.
The following summer, in 2015, Devon took on a new challenge by playing club football with the junior varsity Sault Ste. Marie Sabercats of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL).
The highlight of Devon’s season came in the Sabercats final game against the Cambridge Lions.
“It was a hard fought game for me,” Devon explains. “It was a huge challenge playing both ways for most of the game and [on offense] having out quarterback depend on me to cover his blindside was the biggest motivation I had.”
“Seeing as I love a good challenge, that made the game memorable for me.”
Devon’s ability to overcome challenges comes from his biggest influence: his family.
“The most influential people in my life are my parents,” says Devon. “They strive to teach me the ways of life.”
“They taught me all of what I know about being the best person I can be, how to help others as much as I can, and how to be selfless.”
In football, Devon looks up to fellow Sabercats club members who are moving on to play football at the next level such as varsity players Cody Wheten and Mitchel Stadnik.
“I see them, and I see the work that they put in, and I know I have to do more to become better,” says Devon.
In order for him to improve and compete with seniors this upcoming season, Devon knows he has a lot of work to do.
“I try to workout at least three times each week as well as do my lineman drills,” says Devon.
On top of that, “my training comes from practices where I try to gain muscle memory so that I can perform to the best of my abilities,” adds Devon.
Although Devon admits that the recruiting process has been fun thus far, he hasn’t looked into universities but is instead focused on the upcoming high school season.
“This season I am going to work my as off in everything I do,” says Devon. “I like the physical exhaustion after a long hard faught game or practice.”
“I live to work hard on the field no matter the outcome. Getting down and dirty on the line is what I like best about the game.”
In September, Devon will be playing for St. Mary’s College senior football team, a team that he is very passionate about.
“What I like about my high school team is that we work hard every day so that we can become better,” says Devon. “It’s an ongoing challenge to get to the top.”
Devon adds that he brings a sense of humor to the team and helps out with the less knowledgeable players.
“I feel like I give my friends and teammates a laugh once in a while,” says Devon. “I also feel like I help them work to become better. When a teammate doesn’t know what to do on a particular play, I do what I can to help them.
In terms of the future, Devon hopes to pursue nursing and play football at the next level.
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