Midwestern future? (VIDEO)

Ontario running back receives first NCAA Division 1 offer.

Jonathan Femi-Cole received an unforgettable phone call earlier this afternoon.

The 5’11, 218 pound running back from Vaughan, Ontario was contacted by Bob Reeves, Halfbacks/Tight Ends Coach of NCAA Division 1 FBS team, University of Minnesota Gophers.

During the conversation, Femi-Cole learned that the team has been interested for some time in the offensive standout.  The Gophers ultimately gave Femi-Cole his first NCAA Division 1 offer.

Femi-Cole was ecstatic about the news of the offer.

“I was very excited and couldn’t believe that all the hard work was finally paying off,” expressed Femi-Cole.  “The coach said they’ve been researching and keeping track of me over the past few weeks.”

“When I got off the phone with Coach Reeves, he extended the offer.”

Currently, Femi-Cole is suiting up for his high school team, St. Andrew’s College Saints of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA).  The Saints running back has also played for a 7vs7 team called IDFFL, which was founded by Coach Anthony Cannon.

Femi-Cole began his football career in grade nine for the St. Joan of Arc Thunder of the York Region Athletic Association (YRAA); he was instantaneously hooked on the sport.

The Ontario offensive standout moved on to have a successful career with the Newmarket Bucs of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL).  During his time with the Bucs, he was honoured for his exceptional play on the field with Player of the Week, OVFL Offensive Player MVP honours as well as an OVFL All-Star selection.

The Saints were equally thrilled upon learning the news of Femi-Cole’s first NCAA Division 1 offer. Moreover, the Saints running back has also kept a school streak alive.

“We are all tremendously proud of what Jonathan has accomplished and will continue to accomplish in a St. Andrew’s uniform,” commented Saints Head Coach Len Gurr.  “He is proudly continuing the legacy of great athletes leading our football program.”

“His offer makes him the fifth player to receive a NCAA D1 scholarship from St. Andrew’s in the past four years. This is a credit to our tremendous coaching staff, the incredible support our football program receives from the entire school community, and most importantly, it is a credit to Jonathan and his exceptional talent and hard work.”

Gurr said one of the keys to Femi-Cole’s success has been his strong playmaking abilities.

“Jonathan might be the most talented natural athlete we have had in our football program,” assessed Gurr.  “He is an impressive combination of speed and power.”

“At 220 pounds, he has the speed to run away from defenders, but also the size and strength to run over people.”

Moreover, in Gurr’s view, there is a distinctive trait which the Saints running back possesses and thus has been a guiding source for realizing his gridiron goals.

“What sets Jonathan apart is his relentless desire to be great,” added Gurr.  “He works as hard in the weight room and on the practice field as any athlete that we have coached.”

“He truly wants to take football to the highest possible level and he has the talent and work ethic to do that.”

While the Class 2015 running back has received this offer, he will not make a final decision for some time.

“Not for a while,” said the Saints running back. “I still have another year so now it’s just about building interest in other schools.”

As for how Femi-Cole will build that interest from other NCAA schools, it’s quite simple.

“I am going down to camps and this first offer will of course help this process,” offered Femi-Cole.

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