Queen’s welcomes 2 CFC100s

Queen’s adds an Ontario commit and an out-of-province commit to their 2018 class.

CFC100 running back Rasheed Tucker from Upper Canada College and CFC100 quarterback Quade Kozak from Belrose High School have found success in their respective leagues and now the pair will be bringing their talents to the Queen’s Gaels.

CFC100 Rasheed Tucker

Sometimes, you just have to go with your instincts. “I chose to commit to Queen’s because when considering all factors of my university journey, school, football and social life, my gut feeling was to go with Queen’s,” Rasheed Tucker said.

“Queen’s football has a very rich tradition of excellence, a young and growing team and a very dedicated coaching staff,” he added. “I developed a great relationship with Head Coach Pat throughout the process and felt very strongly that he and the rest of his staff believed in me and would have my back throughout my journey and that meant a lot to me.”

He continued, “Coach Pat is one of a kind. Many of the players I met on my visits mentioned that they think of him as their “dad away from home” and you can tell he truly cares about the future of his athletes.”

Tucker, who is 5’11, 195lbs, went on to further praise the staff to which he called them honest, organized and dedicated.

Alongside football, Tucker said the school has exceptional academics and has the best undergraduate business program in the country, which he will be taking. “It was really tough making a decision because there are so many great options around, academic and football wise, but at the end of the day I think Queen’s is the best place for me and I’m super excited to be a Golden Gael,” he added.

Tucker spent his childhood playing with the Durham Dolphins before joining the Upper Canada College Blues (CISAA). The product of Ajax, Ontario, is a two-time Fox 40 Prospect Challenge participant in 2015 and 2016. In 2015 he was the UCC athlete of the year and the team’s rookie of the year. The following season he was the Dolphins JV team MVP and the Blues’ team and offensive MVP. He is a back-to-back CISAA champion in 2015 and 2016.

“I really want to thank my high school coaches, Coach Brown and Heffernan, for all their help in my development as a player and man for three years,” Tucker said. “I’d also like to thank my school strength coach, Mr. Verboom, for helping me progress physically over the years. And, above all else, I’d really like to thank my family for always being there to support me.”

CFC100 Quade Kozak

It wasn’t hard for Quade Kozak to name at least three things he liked about Queen’s. “I chose Queen’s because of its outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus, outstanding athletics and the close-knit community feeling I received when visiting earlier this year,” he said. “To be able to attend a university where a culture of excellence is embodied in everything is something I know will help me achieve greatness, good character and (have) an amazing experience.”

He added that, “The coaching staff at Queen’s were the most welcoming group of individuals. Throughout the recruitment process the staff was exceptional and I knew exactly what I was getting into when I decided Queen’s was where I wanted to be. I could not be more ecstatic to be working with and learning from some of the best coaches in the years to come.”

Standing at 6’3, 225lbs, Kozak from Sturgeon County, Alberta, has played as both a quarterback and a slotback with the Bellerose Bulldogs (MEHSL). Last season he was presented with the Haliburton Trophy as the conference’s most valuable player. While the Bulldogs made it to the Carr Conference final, Kozak was sidelined with an injury in the semifinals. He had a 61.9% completion rate during the season going 117-for-189 for 1, 868 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 611 yards on 97 runs with a 6.3 average a five touchdowns. He is also a three-time MVP with the Bulldogs and a MEHSL all-star.

Before heading to Kingston, Ontario, Kozak, who will be taking economics, said that, “I would like to thank all the universities who were interested in me as a recruit and all their efforts during the process.”

FOOTBALL ? @q2kozak is GAELS COMMITTED!

Quade joins his twin sister a WRGY recruit Kianna at Queen’s. Quade is a CFC Top100 prospect (38) and has been MVP of the Halliburton Carr Conference, Bellerose Bulldogs and was a Metro Edmonton All-Star #LeadTheWay #GaelsCommitted pic.twitter.com/XPAGuV7T1U

— Queen’s Gaels (@queensgaels) May 2, 2018