Carabins commits want to max potential

Montréal welcomes three local commits to their 2018 class.

For receiver Patrice Charles from Vincent Massey Collegiate and defensive back Tysen Copeland and defensive lineman Gabriel Beauchamp from John Abbott College, a commitment to the University of Montréal Carabins is a commitment to bettering themselves as both young men and as athletes.

Patrice Charles

Patrice Charles has been out in Winnipeg, Manitoba, playing with the Vincent Massey Trojans (WHSFL), but now it’s time for the young man to return to the city he knows all too well. “It’s a program that strives for excellence at a high level,” Charles said. “I absolutely want to maximize my full potential…(and) I want to play for my hometown, Montréal, (which) will be an amazing experience.”

Standing at 6’1, 175lbs, Charles added that he thinks the coaching staff is great. He said that he looks forward to studying at the university as well. In 2015, he won a championship with the North Shore Mustangs (North Shore Football League).

Patrice Charles est un nouveau receveur des Ⓜ qui débarque de Winnipeg où il défendait les couleurs des Trojans de @icvmcwpg ?
Bienvenue avec les #Carabins ??
??? https://t.co/Rov5AjnvN0#Recrutement2018 #FootRSEQ #TousCarabins pic.twitter.com/DGo7AxJCmD

— Carabins (@Carabins) February 16, 2018

Tysen Copeland

Choosing a university is a major decision, one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Like any good student, Tysen Copeland did his homework before finalizing his choice. “The decision was not easy. I did a lot of research and I visited a lot of schools. After reviewing all my options, I decided that the University of Montréal would be my best option,” he said.

And why was this? “It is close to home,” he said, adding that the cost of living and tuition costs played a factor in his choice. “Not only does the school offer a great engineering program, but it’s reputation is also notable.”

Copeland, who is interested in electrical engineering, was also impressed with the Carabins’ training and football faculties, which he called great. “Their ethics, values and professionalism are exactly what I was looking for in a football team. I must add that I also bonded with the team and I felt at home from day one,” he said. “I feel like the coaches will allow me to become a better player and individual. Their vision is very similar to mine and I really appreciate the way they run the team and football program.”

Copeland started his career with Sunnybrooke football (North Shore Football League) in 2004. He played with the team until 2010. The next season, he was a member of the Western Patriots (Football Québec) until 2013 where he played one season with Les Intrépides de l’école secondaire du Chêne Bleu (RSEQ). A year later, he started his cégep career with the John Abbott Islanders (RSEQ Division 2).

While with Sunnybrooke, he captured a NSFL championship in 2015, the same year he was named as the rookie defensive player of the year. He is a two-time defensive MVP in 2006 and 2008 and a two-time rookie defensive player of the year in 2007 and 2008. In his final season, he won a sportsmanship award. While with the Patriots, he was the defensive back of the year. In high school, he was a defensive MVP and a RSEQ D3 regional champions. In 2015, he was the Islanders’ most improved player. Last season, he was an RSEQ all-star.

Bienvenue avec les Ⓜ @CopelandTysen ??
Pour voir les faits saillants de la saison dernière du demi défensif des Islanders de @JACFootball, membre de l’équipe d’⭐ D2 du @RSEQ1
??? https://t.co/H5q9Bjr2d4#Recrutement2018 #FootRSEQ #TousCarabins pic.twitter.com/PSZ5Lkgaqt

— Carabins (@Carabins) February 16, 2018

Gabriel Beauchamp

While Gabriel Beauchamp is from the Laurentian area of Québec, he will be returning to the city of his birth this fall. “In short, the Carabins and the University of Montréal is where I believe I will be able to develop the best version of myself,” he said. “I believe that the team has an incredible coaching staff and they proved it in the past years.”

Beauchamp, who is interested in criminology, has been playing the sport for ten years. He has played with the Islanders in cégep. Standing at 6’0, 270lbs, he as a 2015 RSEQ all-star. Last season, he helped his team reach the division finals, however he said, “We were unable to finish our quest the way we wanted.”

With a chip on his shoulder to win a championship, Beauchamp is ready for the U Sports league. “I’m extremely excited to start my journey as a Carabin,” he said.

Pour la deuxième fois en trois jours, un étudiant-athlète des Islanders de @JACFootball confirme qu’il se joint aux #Carabins Ⓜ
?? Gabriel Beauchamp ??#Recrutement2018 #FootRSEQ pic.twitter.com/I0fVIlq47G

— Carabins (@Carabins) February 19, 2018