NCAA Canadian profile: Luke Willson, Rice (LaSalle, ON)

CFC features another Canadian football player playing in the NCAA. CFC tracks all Canadian action south of the border and at the end of the year will update our ‘Canadians in US College’ list.

To check out the list of players that played in the NCAA / NAIA in 2009 please click here.

Check out the bottom of each article for links to other Canadian NCAA player articles.

Today’s Profile:
Luke Willson
Tight End
Rice Owls (FBS)
RS Sophomore
LaSalle, ON
St. Thomas of Villanova

1) For those Canadians who do not already know, talk a little bit about how you got to where you are right now.

Growing up I played almost every sport I possibly could. As I got older I played mostly Hockey and Baseball. My first year of football wasn’t actually until eighth grade. I then played high school football in LaSalle, Ontario at Villanova high school. While in high school I played for the Essex ravens in the summer. The summer between grade 11 and 12, I was playing for the ravens and during a bye week I went to the All-Pro camp. Rice had a coach there who was interested in me. The Ravens coaches helped me send some video down to Rice and they offered me a couple months later. I took my visit there and decided that was the opportunity that I wanted to pursue.

2) What is the best thing about playing NCAA Football? What is the most challenging thing?

The camaraderie and bonds that I share with my teammates is definitely the best thing about NCAA football for me. Football at the division 1 level is extremely time-consuming, especially during the season. I am with my teammates all the time, and we all go through the same obstacles together. The most challenging thing for me is managing my time during the season. There is very little free time or time where I can just relax, and when I do have some time I usually have a lot of school work that is due.

3) Now that 2010 season is over, what is your biggest individual goal for 2011 season? Team goal?

With the 2010 season over we are now looking to the future. We were very young last season and ended the year playing a lot better than we started the year. I hope that we can bring this momentum into the off-season and the 2011 season and win conference and the liberty bowl next year.

4) What is something that people should know about you?

I am a big baseball fan. I love the game and used to play a lot. After my twelfth grade year and before I reported to Rice, I actually played for team Canada at the IABF world junior baseball championship.

5) What advice do you have to young football players in Canada?

Have fun playing the game and enjoy every minute you have. Football is great game but you never know when it could be over for you. Make the most of the time you have playing.

Past Articles

Scott Mitchell OL, Rice Owls (Ottawa)

Tom Black DE, Oregon State (Winnipeg)

Brandon Besant FB, Bucknell (Windsor, ON)

Tyreek Phillips DL, Furman (Brampton, ON)

Jacob Ruby OL, Richmond (London, ON)

Campbell Allison OL, Eastern Michigan (Kemptville, ON)

Jerome Miller RB, Missouri S & T (Toronto)

Philip Blake OL, Baylor (Toronto)

Marco Iannuzzi REC, Harvard University (Calgary)

George Pearkes TE, Duke University (Nelson, BC)

John Bender OL, Nevada (Cochrane, AB)

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