SMU adds size, skill to lines

Huskies add two provincial commits and one out-of-province commit to their team.

Offensive lineman Braydon Winger from the Vancouver Island Raiders (CJFL) and defensive linemen Tyler Upshaw from Charles P. Allen High School and Daniel Velocci from Dartmouth High School will be adding their size and talent to the Saint Mary’s Huskies.

Braydon Winger

Braydon Winger has a goal, and that’s to own his own business one day. “I chose Saint Mary’s because they have one of the top business programs in Canada,” he said. “The thing that appealed to me was the fact that Halifax is a very beautiful place and it felt like home for me.”

Originally from Chiliwack, BC, the 6’3, 310lbs lineman added that, “I think SMU has a fantastic coaching staff and I really like Head Coach Colzie and his energy.”

Winger spent five years with the G.W. Graham Grizzlies (BCSSFA) and three with the VI Raiders. In 2013 he helped his team win an AA provincial championship. In 2017 he won a Cullen Cup with the Raiders.

“I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my life,” Winger said. “It’s nice to have the support that I’ve got behind me.”

 

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???NEW SIGNEE ALERT ??? @headfbcoachsmu and SMU Football would like to introduce our newest member from our 2019 recruiting class @wingerthekid to the SMU family. “Braydon has been on our radar since the 2016. He went and played three season with the @vi_raiders_football to improve his craft and is now ready to perform at a high level. Winger is a tough offensive lineman who has improved himself strength wise over the last three seasons and will compete right away for time on our offensive line. Braydon’s coming in at the right time where there are big shoes to fill with the loss of starter @ferjo66 but he will be a welcome addition for guys fighting to be starters.” ? HC James Colzie #ELEVATE #PROTECTTHEQB

A post shared by Saint Mary’s Huskies Football (@smuhuskiesfootball) on Feb 26, 2019 at 2:52pm PST

Tyler Upshaw

Going to university is a difficult transition. But, it can be made a little easier when you have some familiar faces in the crowd. When the 2019 season rolls around, Tyler Upshaw won’t be joining the Huskies all alone. “My two very close friends and d-linemen, Aiden Druham McGinn and Mike Braha, have committed and this was one of the only schools that would allow us to continue playing together,” Upshaw said.

“I chose this school because their recruitment is amazing. They approached all of us and made us feel like they wanted us to be there,” he added. “SMU has a very impressive and accomplished coaching staff and I feel like they could do great things with the individuals they’ve recruited.”

The 6’3, 320lbs defensive tackle is interested in criminology or commerce, however he said he will probably take criminology.

Upshaw, who is from Hammond Plains, Nova Scotia, spent six years with the Bedford Saints (NSMFL). He then joined the Charles P. Allen Cheetahs (NSSAFFL). He was a NSSAF all-star this past season and was named the Cheetahs’ ‘most improved’ player.

 

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???NEW SIGNEE ??? @headfbcoachsmu and SMU Football would like to introduce the newest member to our 2019 recruiting class @tylerupshaw • • “Tyler is another great player from @cpacheetahs here in Halifax. He has great size and great versatility which will allow him to be an instant threat on both sides of the football. I need to continue to build this team with athletic big man and Tyler definitely fits that criteria. I’m eager to see Tyler at training camp ready to go so we can line him up at the best possible position for Upshaw’s and the team’s success.” ? HC James Colzie III #Keephimhome #Elevate

A post shared by Saint Mary’s Huskies Football (@smuhuskiesfootball) on Feb 8, 2019 at 3:45pm PST

Daniel Velocci

Daniel Velocci of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, spent his high school career with the Dartmouth Spartans (NSSAFFL). Standing at 6’3, 225lbs, he plays as a defensive end and tackle

 

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???NEW SIGNEE ALERT ??? @headfbcoachsmu and SMU Football would like to introduce our newest member from our 2019 recruiting class @daniel_velocci to the Huskies family. “Daniel comes in as one of the top local recruits in Nova Scotia. He’s an extremely bright young man who has the ability to play multiple positions in our multi-packaged defences. The Dartmouth native comes from @dartmouthhighschool, where they were Division 1 Tier 2 Champions and has been a part of @teamnovascotia for several years. Daniel will come in hungry and will compete right away at the numerous special team opportunities, while he works toward understanding our defensive systems” ? HC James Colzie III #ELEVATE #KEEPTHEMHOME

A post shared by Saint Mary’s Huskies Football (@smuhuskiesfootball) on Feb 20, 2019 at 2:55pm PST