Manitoba Bisons announce four recruits

Manitoba Bisons football team is pleased to announce four recruits with offensive linemen Tom Clarkson and Anthony Daley plus receiver Derek Yachison and defensive lineman Brock Gowanlock for the 2016 season.

Bison football head coach Brian Dobie, in his 21st season with Manitoba, talked about all four recruits. “As we begin 2016 training camp, I am excited to include to this year’s edition of our team and introduce four young players who we were fortunate enough to recruit. I feel all four incoming student-athletes will make an immediate impact in training camp and into the Canada West season.”

Clarkson, 22, last played with University of Nevada in Las Vegas from 2012-15 and Mission Secondary School (2009-11).
– The Mission, BC native was three-star recruit according to ESPNU, which ranked him the No. 117 offensive tackle in the class prior to joining UNLV
– Named Best offensive lineman three times at Mission Secondary School
– The 6’7″, 305 lbs. lineman played on both offensive and defensive lines during high school
– He was team captain and part of provincial championship in senior year of high school and also selected a provincial and conference all-star (grade 12) and conference all-star (grade 11)
– His father Larry was an eighth round draft pick by the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers in 1988 and played four seasons for CFL’s British Columbia Lions while his younger brother, Matt, is on the Bison football team

Daley, 23, last played with Langley Rams from 2011-15 and prior at Greendell Falcons (2008-10) and St. Vital Mustangs (2006-07).
– Over his four year junior career, the Winnipeg native was CJFL All-Canadian honours in 2012, 2013 and nominee for 2015 plus also selected as the BCFC’s top offensive lineman award for two consecutive seasons (2012-13). In addition, he earned the Langley Rams’ Leadership Award in 2014
– The 6’3″, 315 lbs. lineman is a graduate of J.H. Bruns Collegiate and played for the Greendell Falcons of the Midget Football League of Manitoba. Daley has spent three seasons as a territorial protection of the CFL’s BC Lions, training with the practice squad in Vancouver
– Daley joins sister Alyssa as she starts fourth season with Bison women’s soccer team

Yachison, 23, last played with Kamloops Broncos in 2011-15 and Murdoch MacKay (2008-10).
– The Winnipeg native have an extensive resume during his four years with Kamloops. Yachison was 2015 CJFL Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year, two-time CJFL All-Canadian (2014-15), two-time BCFC All-Star (2014-15), two-time BCFC Outstanding Receiver (2014-15) and 2015 BCFC Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year
– In addition, Yachison set a new BCFC single season record with 73 receptions, collecting 1,026 yards and 14 touchdowns – led conference – in 2015. His 73 receptions tied him (with Andrew Busby of the 2006 Saskatoon Hilltops) for second most in CJFL history.
– During the 2015 season, the 6’0″, 195 lbs. receiver became BCFC career leader in receptions as he grabbed the record with his 168th reception on Sept. 12
– Attended three CFL’s BC Lions training camps
– At Murdoch Mackay, he was a two-time WHSFL All-Star and twice on the Honour Roll
– 2015 City of Kamloops Male Athlete of the Year and played on Team Manitoba U17 (2009), Team Manitoba U18 (2010)

Gowanlock, 20, last played with Langley Rams 2013-15 and Cowichan Bulldogs 2005-13.
– The Duncan, BC native has a strong 2015 season at Langley as he was selected as CJFL All-Canadian, BCFC All-Star and Rams’ Defensive MVP
– Gowanlock stats for 2015 was 14.5 sacks – led the conference, 17 tackles plus five assisted, two batted passes, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for a touchdown
– With the Bulldogs, named Lineman of the Year in 2010, Defensive MVP in 2006, Linebacker of the Year in 2011 and 2012, Coaches Choice award from the team in 2013. In the community All-Star game, Gowanlock was Defensive MVP of game (2012, ’13) and in 2013, awarded the VMFL Defensive Player of the League

Quotes from recruits
Tom Clarkson: “I’m looking forward to big things here at the University of Manitoba. Go Bisons!”

Anthony Daley: “I’m excited to be a Bison and I’ve got two years to do my best to impact the team in a positive way.”

Derek Yachison: “”I look forward to adding my experience and talents to an already explosive bison offense, playing for my hometown has always been a priority and being able to do so for the first time since high school will be a great opportunity. Coach Dobie, Coach Mitchell, and Coach Atkinson have all shown me respect and support during my tenures with the Broncos and Lions, and I couldn’t be more excited to play for them and the rest of the Bison staff.”

Brock Gowanlock: “I would like to thank the Bisons for the opportunity to play for the program and to be a part of the team. Also I would like to thank the Rams and Bulldogs for giving me the opportunity to play football and to making me into the player I am today.”