Maritime recruiting champs? (VIDEO)

Lone Nova Scotia players on  CFC TOP 100  commit to AUS Conference Champions.

They have been provincial teammates.  They also have been adversaries in a timeless high school rivalry.

Now, the only two players to be ranked on CFC’s TOP 100 from Nova Scotia will join forces and embark on their CIS careers together in Sackville, New Brunswick.

Yesterday, the Mount Allison Mounties announced the commitments of Shaun Robinson and Nate Rostek.  Both Nova Scotia standouts will join the AUS Conference Champions for the 2014 season.

“Shaun and Nate are two great examples of wanting to be a part of building their own tradition at Mount Allison,” commented Mounties Head Coach Kelly Jeffrey of the commitments.   “Every year we make it our goal of getting the best players from Atlantic Canada and these were the two best players on our board.”

“Adding two Top 100 players from our backyard combined with top national recruits puts us in great position to have one of the strongest recruiting classes in the country.”

Robinson and Rostek are the only two Nova Scotian players to be ranked in the CFC TOP 100. Robinson made the biggest gains in the CFC TOP 100  (also was ranked in March and August rankings) while Nostek is a newcomer to the rankings, which were released earlier this week.

Shaun Robinson 1

SHAUN ROBINSON:

The 6’2, 230 pound defensive lineman from Halifax, Nova Scotia will join the team for the 2014 AUS season.

Ultimately, there were several factors that resulted in Robinson committing to the AUS Conference Champions.

“I chose Mount A because I love the family atmosphere and seeing how close the team was,  I wanted to be apart of it,” explained Robinson of his decision.  “They have such talented players as well I’m excited to practice in get into the competitive mix.”

“The coaching staff is unreal and I know for a fact they can take my game to the next level and food hall is amazing lol.”

Robinson’s football ascension began at the age of nine, when he played for the Dartmouth Destroyers football organization.  He played four levels of football (atom, peewee, bantam and junior varsity) with the Destroyers.

Additionally, the Nova Scotia defensive star has played for the Halifax Seahawks of the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League (NSVFL).  Shaun has been a veteran of the provincial football program as he’s played on Team Nova Scotia squads for four seasons – most recently representing the province at the 2013 Football Canada Cup in Moncton, New Brunswick.

However, Robinson enjoyed his greatest success with the Citadel Phoenix of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL).

The NSSAFFL once again acknowledged Robinson this past season with several accolades including Nova Division Co-League MVP, Nova Division Lineman of the Year and Nova Division Nova Division First Team All-Star on the defensive line.

In November 2012, the defensive lineman experienced the highlight of his storied football career when the Phoenix won their historical fifth consecutive Nova Division Tier 1 Championship title against the Sir John A MacDonald Flames.

He has also played on Team Nova Scotia squads for four seasons – most recently representing the province at the 2013 Football Canada Cup in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Shaun Robinson 3

Throughout his career, Shaun has been recognized for his exceptional play on the field with several honours.  Those honours include:  Atom Defensive MVP, Peewee Defensive MVP Peewee Lineman of the Year, Bantam Defensive MVP, Bantam Lineman of the Year, Peewee Championship game Defensive MVP,  Bantam Championship game Defensive MVP, Junior Varsity Championship game Defensive MVP, Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012), Maritime Bantam Championship Offensive MVP, Ottawa Youth Football Challenge Defensive MVP, Youth All-American Bowl Championship (Texas), FBU Top Gun Invite , 2012 Football Canada Cup 2012 Defensive Game MVP, 2012 Football Canada Cup Tournament All-Star, 2012 NSSAFFL Nova Division Defensive MVP, 2012 NSAAFL Nova Division Lineman of the Year, 2012 NSAAFFL Nova Division First Team All-Star, 2013 Football Canada Cup Defensive Player of the Game against Saskatchewan, and 2013 Football Canada Cup MVP Defensive Player of the Game against Manitoba.

Robinson joins a long list of players that have come out of the Phoenix program and moved on to great success with the Mounties. Defensive lineman Jordan Redding, defensive lineman Max Fitzgerald, defensive back Mark Sampson and linebacker Jeffrey Parkhill will be reunited with the defensive lineman this upcoming fall in Sackville, New Brunswick.

Not only has Jon Dyer instructed the CFC TOP 100 defensive lineman, but also was a receiver with the Mounties from 2003 until 2008.  The Phoenix Offensive Coordinator said the Mounties are gaining a tremendous player and person in Robinson.

“Mount Allison should be thrilled to have Shaun Robinson joining their program next year,” commented Dyer.  “Shaun is an explosive and versatile defensive force who’s been dominating Nova Scotia football since the moment he put on a helmet.”

“On top of that, Shaun is a great person with a strong work ethic and leadership skills.”

The Phoenix will miss his presence not only on the defensive unit, but the team as well.  Based on his own experience as a former Mountie, Dyer believes that Robinson will thrive in his new home.

“Shaun is irreplaceable in so many ways, but we’re thrilled to see him move on to a great academic and football program like Mount Allison,” expressed the Phoenix Defensive Coordinator.  “Knowing the Mount Allison community first hand, the close football family that they provide, and the coaching staff, he’s going to fit in seamlessly.”

As for the Mounties, the team is ecstatic about the addition of Robinson, who will be a menace to several opposing teams.

“Shaun is tremendously explosive off the edge and makes so many plays just by pure desire,” assessed Jeffrey.  “He is a player that opposing offenses will have to account for on every pass because of his speed off the edge.”

“I think Shaun will be a great fit in our program and an excellent teammate.  He has a strong desire to get better and will work every day to be the best he can be.”

Nate Rostek 1

NATE ROSTEK:

The 5’11, 205 pound defensive back from Tantallon, Nova Scotia found everything he was looking for in the Sackville, New Brunswick campus.

“I chose Mount Allison because it felt like home when I went on my visits,” recalled Rostek.  “I will be attending the premier undergraduate university in the country and competing with the 2013 AUS champions!”

“I didn’t find these factors combined at any other university.”

With Rostek’s commitment, he joins a list of former Flames standouts that have enjoyed success with the Mounties.  Running back Nick Lauder, offensive lineman Jon Graves and defensive lineman Quinn Everett are three of those players.

Nate began his gridiron career when he was five years old.  During his career, he had played in three different provinces – British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Among the teams he has suited up for include Halifax Redhawks, Timberlea Titans and Timberlea Renegades of the Nova Scotia Indoor Spring League (NSISL).

Moreover, the versatile player has represented his home province as a member of Team Nova Scotia’s under-15 squad and more recently with the provincial under- 18 squad.  He has participated in two Football Canada Cup tournaments – London, Ontario in 2012 and Moncton, New Brunswick in 2013.

Nate Rostek

However, Nate realized the highlight of his football career recently while playing for his high school team, Sir John A MacDonald Flames of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL). The Flames won their first ever NSSAFFL Tier 1 Championship in this past November after defeating Charles P Allen Cheetahs 24-23 at Saint Mary’s Huskies Stadium.

In 2013, Rostek amassed 1791 All-Purpose Yards, four sacks, two forced fumbles and caught four interceptions.

Throughout his career, Nate has been recognized for his exceptional play on the field.  Among the honours he has received include bantam Titans Defensive MVP (2011), provincial under-15 Defensive MVP (2010), two junior varsity Team Defensive MVP’s (2010, 2011), Flames Rookie of the Year (2011), Flames Team MVP (2013) and NSSAFFL First Team All-Star Selections at the fullback and halfback positions.

Nate Rostek 3

Recently, Rostek was selected to Football Canada’s Junior National Team roster that will play against Team USA’s under-19 national team during the 2014 International Bowl Series in Arlington, Texas on February 7th, 2013.

This commitment has continued a whirlwind week for Rostek.  On Monday, the Nova Scotia defensive back learned that he was a CFC TOP 100 ranked player.

“When I learned I was ranked on the CFC Top 100, I was excited to have earned that type of recognition and happy my hard work has paid off,” reflected Rostek.

With all the success he has achieved, the Nova Scotia talent offered some advice for Class 2015 players looking to get ranked on CFC’s TOP 100 as well as finding their future gridiron home.

“I would tell those graduating next year to enjoy high school and the recruiting process and do not stress about rankings,” offered Rostek.  “Be the best you can possibly be.”

As for the Mounties, the team looks forward to having a player who possesses the complete package of playmaking abilities and intangibles.

“Nate is as complete a football player as you’ll find,” commented Jeffrey.  “Realistically, you could put him at any position on the field and he would excel.”

“His combination of size and athleticism are special as he dominated on both sides of the ball this year while helping his team earn a provincial title.  Nate fit in really well on his visit to campus with the team and will be a key addition to our family atmosphere.”

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