Redmen welcome two more to their Class of 2017.
There is no doubt that McGill is a prestigious university and Antoine Fontaine, a defensive lineman from Cégep Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu and Benjamin Desmeules-Otis, an offensive lineman from Cégep Limoilou, will have the chance to experience it first-hand after committing to the Redmen.
Antoine Fontaine
Courtesy of Antoine Fontaine.
Welcome back to the field, Antoine Fontaine. “It’s going to be a comeback year for me in 2017,” he said. “I didn’t play football last season because of a herniated disk.”
And what better way to break out back onto the gridiron than at the U Sports level? The product of Longueil, Québec said he chose McGill because of the quality of the university. “Knowing it is the best one in Canada, that will give me many opportunities. The coaching staff is making the team greater each year. I believe in them,” he said.
Antoine Fontaine and Head Coach Ron Hilarie. Courtesy Antoine Fontaine.
Fontaine, who is looking into either kinesiology, biology or physio, is 6’2, 225lbs and also plays as a long snapper. In cégep, the 11-year veteran played with Les Géants du Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu (RSEQ Division 1) and won back-to-back Bol d’Ors in 2014 and 2015. Prior to that, he played with Les Barons de Saint-Burno (RSEQ) in high school.
Benjamin Desmeules-Otis
Courtesy of Benjamin Desmeules-Otis.
So far, Benjamin Desmeules-Otis has been thoroughly impressed with the Redmens’ coaching staff. “What appealed to me is the overall attitude the coaches have towards me. I’ve only had good impressions so far although I have only met most of the coaches twice,” he said. “They clearly excel at bringing offensive linemen to the next level.”
Although the towering 6’5, 265lbs tackle hasn’t had much interaction with the coaches, he is very familiar with Coach Olivier T. Létourneau. He said he was coaching with Les Condors de Saint-Jean-Eudes (RSEQ) while he played there. “I formed a strong bond with him throughout the years,” Desmeules-Otis said.
Courtesy of Benjamin Desmeules-Otis.
Desmeules-Otis added that he chose McGill because his visit last summer was incredible and he has to the chance to learning in English at one of the best schools possible in Québec. He is interested in taking kinesiology and, if his GPA is high enough, he will try to pursue medical school.
After two years of high school ball, Desmeules-Otis spent two years with Les Elans de Cégep Garneau (RSEQ Division 1) before switching to Les Titans du Cégep Limoilou (RSEQ Division 1). He is originally from Roberval, Québec, which is on Lac Saint-Jean.
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