REGINA, Sask. ā The University of Regina Rams are back on the field this weekend with 83 student-athletes expected to participate in a three-day spring camp on the U of R Field from Friday through Sunday.
The camp will be the first outdoor on-field activities for the Rams under Mike Gibson, who was hired as the teamās head coach in late December.
CampĀ Schedule
Saturday ā 10:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday ā 10:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday ā 10:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday ā 10:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Hereās a brief position-by-position breakdown of the Rams as they prepare for spring camp ā
Quarterback
Noah Picton enters spring camp as the projected starting quarterback for the Rams, coming off an impressive rookie season filling in for the injured Cayman Shutter. Picton finished the season with a 64.1% completion rate and a Canada West rookie record 2029 passing yards to go along with 11 touchdown passes.
Noah Picton enters spring camp as the projected starting quarterback for the Rams, coming off an impressive rookie season filling in for the injured Cayman Shutter. Picton finished the season with a 64.1% completion rate and a Canada West rookie record 2029 passing yards to go along with 11 touchdown passes.
Ellis Richards (Regina, Sask. / Sheldon-Williams Collegiate), the younger brother of Rams receiver Addison Richards, will join the program as a first-year signal caller. Veteran Frankie Gray knows the offence and with experience under centre at the CIS level, provides quality depth at the position for the Rams.Running Back / Fullback
Atlee Simon, who ran for 524 yards and seven majors on 81 attempts in his first season with the Rams, will join forces with Jens Johnson to create a strong one-two punch in the backfield for the Rams. Johnson had 22 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown in 2014. Gibson is impressed with the versatility of the running backs and thinks that they can excel in a two-back system.
Atlee Simon, who ran for 524 yards and seven majors on 81 attempts in his first season with the Rams, will join forces with Jens Johnson to create a strong one-two punch in the backfield for the Rams. Johnson had 22 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown in 2014. Gibson is impressed with the versatility of the running backs and thinks that they can excel in a two-back system.
Blake Anaka and Josh Koshman will have a chance to show off their skills in spring camp, and make a push for more playing time. Also entering the picture in the backfield is Sam Varao, who makes the move from linebacker to the fullback position. Matt Stefanovic (Moose Jaw, Sask. / Vanier Collegiate) and Steven Gresl will also be in camp looking to earn a spot at fullback.
Offensive Line
The veteran offensive line looks to be a strong point of the Rams offense, with fifth-year athletes Jeremy Zver, Kyle Paterson, Keenan Carrier and Aaron Picton all returning. Picton will move to tackle this season, which bumps Matt Degelman to the interior. Fourth-year linemen Tristain Hoath and Nathan Cugnet will also be important pieces of the Ramsā rotation in the trenches, while newcomers Liam Jensen (Watrous, Sask. / Winston HS) and Braydon Johnson (Moose Jaw, Sask. / Central Collegiate) will make their case for playing time. Kavan Metcalfe, Lyndon Smith and Roe Borgmann are all coming off redshirt seasons, while signed recruit John Lerach (Regina, Sask. / Luther College HS) and invitees Joel Braden and Matthew Wallace round out the group of camp participants.
The veteran offensive line looks to be a strong point of the Rams offense, with fifth-year athletes Jeremy Zver, Kyle Paterson, Keenan Carrier and Aaron Picton all returning. Picton will move to tackle this season, which bumps Matt Degelman to the interior. Fourth-year linemen Tristain Hoath and Nathan Cugnet will also be important pieces of the Ramsā rotation in the trenches, while newcomers Liam Jensen (Watrous, Sask. / Winston HS) and Braydon Johnson (Moose Jaw, Sask. / Central Collegiate) will make their case for playing time. Kavan Metcalfe, Lyndon Smith and Roe Borgmann are all coming off redshirt seasons, while signed recruit John Lerach (Regina, Sask. / Luther College HS) and invitees Joel Braden and Matthew Wallace round out the group of camp participants.
Receiver
With the future of Addison Richards uncertain as the big wide receiver has a season of eligibility remaining but is expected to be a high selection in the CFL Draft, the Rams will look to other veterans to jump in and make an impact in the aerial attack. Slot receiver Mitch Picton looks set to have a breakout season after finishing second on the team in 2014 with four touchdown receptions. Riley Wilson will also play out of the slot and Andrew Bennett and Richard Sindani will look to have expanded roles at wideout.
With the future of Addison Richards uncertain as the big wide receiver has a season of eligibility remaining but is expected to be a high selection in the CFL Draft, the Rams will look to other veterans to jump in and make an impact in the aerial attack. Slot receiver Mitch Picton looks set to have a breakout season after finishing second on the team in 2014 with four touchdown receptions. Riley Wilson will also play out of the slot and Andrew Bennett and Richard Sindani will look to have expanded roles at wideout.
Mitch Thompson, who had 31 catches for 361 yards last season, will be unavailable this weekend due to injury, but will be called upon in both the receiving and return games come regular season. Davin Johnston will also be used as a slot receiver, while Adam Finnik, Daniel Scraper, Kyle Moortgat and Jacob Laboccetta are all coming off redshirt seasons.
Adam Rask (Cochrane, Alta. / Cochrane HS), Tanner Zaharia (Balgonie, Sask. / Greenall HS), and Ryan Schienbein (Regina, Sask. / Balfour Collegiate) all signed a CIS Letter of Intent to join the U of R in 2015 and will put a Rams uniform on for the first time this weekend. Brady Eurich and Jordan Wyonzek both played their way into a camp invite at an open tryout earlier this month, while Swift Currentās Marcus Kouri ā who will compete for the U of Rās track & field team starting this fall ā will also attend camp on a tryout basis.
Defensive Line
Tyler Perkins will enter his senior year as an anchor at defensive end, while Eric Wicijowski and Bryce McKinnon enter their second and third years, respectively. All three saw significant playing time last season and will be expected to make an impact in the trenches this year. Grey McKen and David Jule are also returning and will see time at the rush end spot. Michael Bright will make the move to defensive end, while Thomas Lill, Brad Sich and Ty Nordick round out the returners on the line.
Tyler Perkins will enter his senior year as an anchor at defensive end, while Eric Wicijowski and Bryce McKinnon enter their second and third years, respectively. All three saw significant playing time last season and will be expected to make an impact in the trenches this year. Grey McKen and David Jule are also returning and will see time at the rush end spot. Michael Bright will make the move to defensive end, while Thomas Lill, Brad Sich and Ty Nordick round out the returners on the line.
Though Matt Moore (Regina, Sask. / Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS) will participate in his first spring camp, two of the newest additions to the Ramsā defensive line will not be in attendance this weekend as Ajai Washington (Dallas, Texas / Woodrow Wilson HS) and Joshua Brown (Toronto, Ont. / Langley Rams) are unavailable. All three players figure into defensive coordinator Paul Dawsonās plans for the upcoming season.
Linebacker
The Rams were hit hard at the linebacker position with the losses of Brandon, Man. products Connor Ketchen and Dylan Minshull, but return 2013 Canada West all-star Michael Stefanovic who led the team with 39Ā½ tackles last season. Zack McEachern will take on a full-time starting role after starting the teamās final four games in 2014 and collecting 27 tackles in eight games, while Dawson also expects Danny Nesbitt to step in and fill a significant role with the team after an impressive rookie campaign.
The Rams were hit hard at the linebacker position with the losses of Brandon, Man. products Connor Ketchen and Dylan Minshull, but return 2013 Canada West all-star Michael Stefanovic who led the team with 39Ā½ tackles last season. Zack McEachern will take on a full-time starting role after starting the teamās final four games in 2014 and collecting 27 tackles in eight games, while Dawson also expects Danny Nesbitt to step in and fill a significant role with the team after an impressive rookie campaign.
Rounding out the small group of linebackers is Mitch Morrison and Alex Rorke. Morrison is back after battling injuries over much of his CIS career, while Rorke is coming off a redshirt season.
Defensive Back
With the status of CFL prospect Tevaughn Campbell up in the air and the losses of Patrick MacDonald and Justin Edralin to graduation, the Rams will look to Canada West all-star Joey Dwyer to bolster the secondary. Dwyer tallied 33Ā½ tackles, 1Ā½ sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception from the dimeback position in 2014.
With the status of CFL prospect Tevaughn Campbell up in the air and the losses of Patrick MacDonald and Justin Edralin to graduation, the Rams will look to Canada West all-star Joey Dwyer to bolster the secondary. Dwyer tallied 33Ā½ tackles, 1Ā½ sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception from the dimeback position in 2014.
Third-year defensive backs Jeff Propp, Robbie Avram, Jordy Kibamba and Korey Greene are expected to play a large role in the upcoming season. Coming off redshirt seasons will be halfback Luke Wilson and safety Mason Rossler, both of whom will see plenty of time in the secondary. Local recruit Polis Koko (Regina, Sask. / Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS) will also look to make an impact, while Chris Tunnicliffe was a two-time league all-star with the Regina Thunder and will be in camp this weekend. Returners Dilan Elgert and Kahlen Branning are both unavailable to participate this weekend due to injury.
Punter/Kicker
Andrew Fabian will return to the team after handling the Ramsā kicking and punting duties in 2014. He finished second in Canada West with a 73% field goal percentage and was 26-for-26 on extra points in conference play.
Andrew Fabian will return to the team after handling the Ramsā kicking and punting duties in 2014. He finished second in Canada West with a 73% field goal percentage and was 26-for-26 on extra points in conference play.
Scraper is coming off his redshirt season and enters the year second on the depth chart behind Fabian. He also handled kickoff duties for the Rams in his one game played last season. Scott Findura (Regina, Sask. / Luther College HS) will also participate in camp.
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