Rams to host spring camp this weekend (roster)

Camp Roster

The University of Regina Rams will host their 2013 Spring Camp presented by Laurentian Bank Securities this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on campus at the U of R Field.

Two-a-day practices are scheduled for Friday (3:00 and 7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.) before camp wraps up with a controlled scrimmage beginning on Sunday morning at 11:00.

It’ll be a very different look this season for the Rams, as the team graduates 20 fifth-year players from the 2012 squad that finished with a 6-2 conference record and advanced to the Hardy Cup after a home playoff win over Saskatchewan. A total of 83 players are expected to participate in this weekend’s camp.

“After a very successful winter training program, we’re extremely excited to get back on the field at our spring camp and we are especially thrilled with the impressive young athletes we’ve recruited this offseason,” Rams head coach Frank McCrystal said. “With a large graduating class and the probably departure of our draft-eligible players, we will have new faces in a number of positions.”

After this weekend, the Rams will get back to offseason conditioning before camp begins in mid-August. The team will tune up against the University of Manitoba in a home non-conference game on Friday, Aug. 23 before lifting the lid on the conference schedule on Friday, Aug. 30 against Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. The Rams will host their Canada West home opener on Friday, Sept. 6 against Calgary.

Here’s a position-by-position outlook for the Rams as they prepare to put the helmets back on for the first time since last November –

Quarterback
The quarterback position is wide open entering spring camp with the graduation of Marc Mueller, who finished his CIS career as the program’s all-time leader in career completion percentage and holds numerous school single-season and single-game records. Zach Oleynik has started seven games over the past two seasons for the Rams, while Frankie Gray has also seen plenty of game action since arriving on campus in 2011. Noah Picton comes to the Rams after a fine career with Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS in Regina, while John Kiesman comes to camp after a year as the Winnipeg Rifles’ starting pivot following a redshirt season with the University of Manitoba. Evan Didychuk (Brandon, Man. / Vincent Massey HS) and Bren Forbes (Moose Jaw, Sask. / Central Collegiate) will round out the red jerseys in camp.
Returning (2) – Frankie Gray, Zach Oleynik
Letter of Intent (1) – Noah Picton
Attending Camp (3) – Evan Didychuk, Bren Forbes, John Kiesman

Running Back
This is one of the positions which isn’t likely to see a lot of turnover, as both Michael Kiapway and Dillon Dawson return. Kiapway started six of the team’s conference games last season, collected 571 rushing yards, and became just the third player in school history to register five touchdown runs in a single season. Dawson also saw plenty of action for the Rams, rushing for 185 yards on 34 carries during the Canada West schedule. Ben Graunke (St. Albert, Alta. / Bellerose Composite HS) and Dylan Minshull (Brandon, Man. / Neelin HS) have already signed a CIS Letter of Intent, while Jens Johnson (Regina, Sask. / Michael A. Riffel HS) will get a look at camp after playing Junior A hockey with the Weyburn Red Wings. Ben Lane (Calgary, Alta. / Calgary Southwest Bulldogs) will also be in camp.
Returning (3) – Brandin Cannon, Dillon Dawson, Michael Kiapway
Letter of Intent (2) – Ben Graunke, Dylan Minshull
Attending Camp (2) – Jens Johnson, Ben Lane

Receivers
Jared Janotta headlines an extremely strong group of returning receivers, as the fourth-year slotback led the Rams in both receptions (44) and receiving yards (484) in 2012.Kolten Solomon is expected to return for a fifth CIS season after collecting 36 catches for 471 yards and a team-leading four touchdowns, while Jay Smith had 27 receptions for 359 yards in 2012 and will represent the Rams at the East West Bowl next weekend in London, Ont. Mark McConkey is expected to come back at full strength after missing all but one game of last season due to injury, while Catlin Schneider, Addison Richards, Landon Buch, Ty Buhler, and Riley Wilson also return. The Rams have five local receivers signed to a CIS Letter of Intent, including LeBoldus products Davin Johnston, Andrew Kuski, and Mitch Picton, Sheldon-Williams graduate-to-be Cohen Richards, and Campbell Collegiate product Richard Sindani. Also attending camp are Jordan Briault (Red Deer, Alta. / Notre Dame HS), A.J. Deacon (Brandon, Man. / Vincent Massey HS), and Bryce Keilback (Brandon, Man. / Neelin HS).
Returning (10) – Landon Buch, Ty Buhler, Rory Copithorn, Jared Janotta, Mark McConkey, Addison Richards, Catlin Schneider, Jay Smith, Kolten Solomon, Riley Wilson
Letter of Intent (5) – Davin Johnston, Andrew Kuski, Mitch Picton, Cohen Richards, Richard Sindani
Attending Camp (3) – Jordan Briault, A.J. Deacon, Bryce Keilback

Offensive Line
Highlighting the list of returning linemen is two-time first-team All-Canadian and reigning Canada West Lineman of the Year Brett Jones, but his status for next season is in question as he’s expected to be a high selection in next Monday’s CFL Canadian Draft. Aaron Picton broke into the starting lineup last season at right tackle despite being in just his second season of eligibility, while Nathan Cugnet, Kyle Paterson, and Lyndon Smith will all return looking for bigger roles with either three or four starting linemen from last year’s team expected to be gone. The Rams already have five linemen signed to a CIS Letter of Intent, including Matt Degelman (Regina, Sask. / Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS), Thomas Lill (Aurora, Ont. / Huron Heights Secondary), Ty Nordick (Moose Jaw, Sask. / Albert E. Peacock Collegiate), Kyle Pooyak (North Battleford, Sask. / North Battleford Comprehensive HS), and Brandon Williams (Brandon, Man. / Neelin HS). Jeremy Zver will attend camp after playing for the U of R’s basketball team over the past two seasons, while Matt Baldwin (Calgary, Alta. / Calgary Colts) brings three years of CJFL experience to camp. Cole Ketchen (Brandon, Man. / Neelin HS) – younger brother of Rams linebacker Connor Ketchen – will also attend this weekend’s camp.
Returning (5) – Nathan Cugnet, Brett Jones, Kyle Paterson, Aaron Picton, Lyndon Smith
Letter of Intent (5) – Matt Degelman, Thomas Lill, Ty Nordick, Kyle Pooyak, Brandon Williams
Attending Camp (3) – Matt Baldwin, Cole Ketchen, Jeremy Zver

Defensive Line
The Rams lose their two three-year interior starters as Stefan Charles and nose tackle Benton Gieni both exhausted their CIS eligibility after last season, and could lose a third as Ryan Wellman has a season remaining but was signed as a free agent by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the offseason. Highlighting the group of returning players is defensive end Logan Brooks, who ranks third on the U of R’s all-time list with 10½ career sacks. Tyler Perkins had a couple of starts at tackle last season while Charles was nursing an injury, while Micheal Dadzie, Wilfred Jerome, Zach Rensby, and Ryan Warner will all battle for increased roles on the line. Joey Carriere (North Battleford, Sask. / North Battleford Comprehensive HS), Bryce McKinnon (Cochrane, Alta. / Cochrane HS), and Chris Strongeagle (Carlyle, Sask. / Estevan Comprehensive) will be in the fold next season as all three have inked a CIS Letter of Intent with the Rams.
Returning (7) – Logan Brooks, Micheal Dadzie, Wilfred Jerome, Tyler Perkins, Zach Rensby, Ryan Warner, Ryan Wellman
Letter of Intent (3) – Joey Carriere, Bryce McKinnon, Chris Strongeagle

Linebackers
With Alex Meldrum concentrating on completing his College of Medicine degree and Chris Sciog graduated, the Rams will look for a few players to step up at linebacker.Connor Ketchen will be in the mix after seeing some time at linebacker in 2012 in his first season of eligibility, while fellow returners Zach Gorski, Michael Stefanovic, Tyler Mantyak, Mitch Morrison, and Julius Landry are all possibilities. Logan Lazurko (Weyburn, Sask. / Weyburn Comprehensive) has signed a CIS Letter of Intent, while Ben Cressman (Rosetown, Sask.) could step into a huge role next season after a five-year junior career with the Saskatoon Hilltops that he capped with Prairie Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year honours last season. Also in camp are Carson Dougall (Moose Jaw, Sask. / Central Collegiate) and Eric Wood (Regina, Sask. / Thom Collegiate).
Returning (6) – Zach Gorski, Connor Ketchen, Julius Landry, Tyler Mantyak, Mitch Morrison, Michael Stefanovic
Letter of Intent (1) – Logan Lazurko
Attending Camp (3) – Ben Cressman, Carson Dougall, Eric Wood

Defensive Backs
Brady Aulie, Joey Dwyer, and Justin Edralin all played significant starting roles in the defensive backfield for the Rams last season and highlight the team’s group of returning players at the position. First-year players Ryan Filyk and Mason Rossler were important on special teams last year, and those two along with returners Robbie Avram, Kahlen Branning, Tevaughn Campbell, and Cody Kezama will all battle for playing time. Michael Bright (Brandon, Man. / Vincent Massey HS), Jordy Kibamba (Calgary, Alta. / St. Mary’s HS), and Ryan Serbu (Regina, Sask. / Balfour Collegiate) have all signed, while Patrick MacDonald (Calgary, Alta. / Calgary Colts) could land an immediate role with the team after playing a full five seasons of junior football. Jeff Propp redshirted with the U of R’s basketball team last season and will also attend camp, as will Brendan Brierley (Regina, Sask. / Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS), Dalton Fichtner (Yorkton, Sask. / Yorkton Regional HS), Royce Hanna (Moose Jaw, Sask. / Central Collegiate), and Bryden Rathgeber (Regina, Sask. / Michael A. Riffel HS).
Returning (9) – Brady Aulie, Robbie Avram, Kahlen Branning, Tevaughn Campbell, Joey Dwyer, Justin Edralin, Ryan Filyk, Cody Kezama, Mason Rossler
Letter of Intent (3) – Michael Bright, Jordy Kibamba, Ryan Serbu
Attending Camp (6) – Brendan Brierley, Dalton Fichtner, Royce Hanna, Patrick MacDonald, Jeff Propp, Bryden Rathgeber

Punting/Kicking
With Chris Bodnar finishing up his CIS eligibility, all of the team’s punting and placekicking duties are expected to fall to Taylor Wandler this season. Wandler, who enters his fifth and final season with the Rams this year, has served as the team’s placekicker for the majority of the past two seasons.
Returning (1) – Taylor Wandler