Positive impressions go a long way for McGill commits

McGill adds three Québec commits and one international commit to their 2018 class.

The McGill  coaching staff has left a positive impression on their commits, and it made all the difference for offensive lineman Xavier Houle from Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, receiver Nkuriye-Muryango Thierry from Cégep régional de Lanaudière and defensive lineman Guillaume Isoard and linebacker Laurent Bruneau from Cégep de Saint-Jérôme.

Xavier Houle

Xavier Houle of Victoriaville, Québec, is well aware of the academic prestige of McGill. “It is the best academic university in Québec,” the potential chemical or mining engineering student said. “Also, I believe we can compete with everyone. I believe that the new o-line coach, Marc Galude, will be the key for a great season this year.”

The 6’4, 280lbs right guard spent six years on the Les Vicas de Victoriaville and three on Les Géants du Cégep St-Jean-sur-Richelieu (RSEQ Division 1). In 2015, he was the QMFL’s most valuable lineman.

Nkuriye-Muryango Thierry

It didn’t take Nkuriye-Muryango Thierry long to feel the love from McGill. “They really showed interest in me and the first scout who talked to me was the head coach, so I was like yeah, they want me to be apart of the organization,” he said. “They have a very experienced coaching staff. Head Coach Hilarie is a former CFL player who also played college ball for the Buffalo Bulls, so yeah they know football.”

Interested in physical education and kinesiology, Thierry added that, “You know what they say about McGill. It’s the Harvard of Canada, the best university in the country.”

Standing at 5’11, 187lbs, Thierry played for three years with Les Triades du Cégep régional de Lanaudière (RSEQ Division 3). In high school, he was apart of Les Phénix du collège Esther-Blondin (RSEQ). He is from Sainte-Charles-Borromée, Québec.

Guillaume Isoard

Growing up in Lyon, France, Guillaume Isoard probably didn’t dream that he would one day be playing university ball in Canada. “McGill is the huge university for me in (terms of) academics and a nice organization with lots of experience in sports,” he said.

He added that, “The coaching staff are very nice and the first contact with the team was great. The coaches have a lot of experience and I think I can learn football a lot more with these coaches. McGill is the team that will keep evolving.”

For three years, Isoard played with Les Cheminots du Cégep de St-Jérôme (RSEQ Division 3). The 6’1, 295lbs defensive tackle would like to study finance.

Laurent Bruneau

When Laurent Bruneau met with his future coaching staff, he got nothing but positive vibes. “The coaching staff seems (like a) great and fun group,” he said. “The university was very impressive…it gives a great opportunity on the field and in school.”

Bruneau spent four years with Les Chemionts and five with Les Géants Polyvalente Saint-Jérôme (RSEQ) in his hometown of Saint-Jérôme, Québec. In 2015, he was named as a Division 3 all-star as a left tackle. The 6’2, 215lbs athlete currently plays as a defensive end. He will be studying kinesiology.