Ontario Prospect Challenge Profile: Lords’ standout looking for exposure (VIDEO)

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Positions:
Defensive Back (Corner, Safety)

Height/Weight:
6’1, 178 lbs

Teams:
Nelson Lords (high school: HSSAA)

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
None

Considerations:
Open

Class:
2016

Ryk Vanderpol started playing football in Grade 9 with the Nelson Lords of the Halton Secondary School Athletic Association (HSSAA).

“I was not the most talented player in my first season, however through the encouragement of my coaches at the time I became motivated to play another season in Grade 10,” said Ryk Vanderpol, who then started as a defensive end.

During his third year with the Lords, he discovered the passion he has for the sport.

The defensive back coach at Nelson, Jerry Phillips, noticed Ryk’s ability to play defensive back and through his intensive coaching was able to develop skills and developed aspirations to play at a higher level.

After that season, he decided to play summer football with the Burling Stampeders in the Burlington Minor Football Association (BMFA), as well as participate in last year’s Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC).

“Both of these experiences further developed me as a player and I learned so much from the coaching staff that I am very thankful for,” commented the Lord.

Moreover, Ryk just finished his fourth season with Nelson this past fall.

For this year’s OPC, his goals are to play a solid game and to gain further interest from university scouts.

This past offseason Ryk attended a camp at the University of Alabama, where he greatly developed as a player and became accustomed to a fast, high intensity playing style.

“The staff down there, especially Nick Saban and Scott Cochran, hold a strict policy that promotes extreme hard work and no excuses,” added Ryk. “This not only developed me physically as a player, but also mentally.”

Aside from the camp he still plays with the Burlington Stampeders summer team and regularly works out, both on the field and in the gym.

Ryk’s biggest role model would be Keith Palmer, who is one of his coaches in both OPC and during the Stampeder’s season.

He likes his unique coaching style, and thinks he understands how to develop a player and stresses the importance of being disciplined, as well as working hard for what you want.

“He leads by example and possess every asset of a good leader,” explained Ryk. “If I make a play but my footwork could have been better, he will stress the importance of that and it motivates me to strive for perfection.”

The Lord says there are many reasons as to why he loves football, but the most prominent is the satisfaction he gets from seeing hard work pay off.

“I enjoy making a play and realizing that it happened because I worked hard to get there.”