Staying home in 2014

CFC TOP 100 ranked defensive back makes early commitment to OUA team.

A CFC TOP 100 ranked player has gotten in the early commitment game. This time, it’s a local player who made the decision to join his hometown university football team.

On Thursday evening, Nick Parisotto committed to the Guelph Gryphons for the 2014 season.  For the 5’11, 185 pound defensive back, from Guelph, Ontario felt that his hometown university offered the best chance for success and also provides him the opportunity to play in front of the hometown crowd.

“I decided to commit to the University of Guelph because I believe they are going to give me the best opportunities to succeed on and off the football field,” explained Parisotto.  “I am very fortunate for being talked to by almost every school in the country and being offered scholarships by over 10 schools but none could offer me what Guelph could.”

“Staying in my home town and getting a chance to carry on the traditions of excellence set by fellow locals like Nick Fitzgibbon was very important to me.”

Moreover, the Guelph defensive tackle sees a bright future for the Gryphons and wants to play a role in helping the team achieve greater successes in years to come.

“I want to be a part of the return of the Gryphons and be here for the turnaround of the program,” expressed Parisotto.  “I feel that I will be able to come in immediately and make an impact on the team whether it is on special teams or as a starter on defense.”

“Guelph is a football team on the rise and with the addition of myself and many of the recruits from 2013. I think we have a shot at winning a championship in the near future.”

Previous to his commitment to the Gryphons, the defensive back played for the Guelph Bears of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC).  This past summer, he benefited from the experience as he got the opportunity to work with Kevin MacNeil, who is the Gryphons Defensive Coordinator.

This past summer with the Bears, Parisotto   had every opening kickoff tackle for the team, led the conference for the most defensive points in the season as well as led the league in punt return yards, average return yards and return touchdowns.  Additionally, he had two touchdown returns which came after missed field goal attempts.

Parisotto has also achieved great success with his high school team, Our Lady of Lourdes Crusaders of Guelph District 10. In 2011, the team was OFSAA Championship finalists while the year before, they won the City Championship.

The defensive back has been selected to many all-star teams including the OVFL Prospects Game (2012).  Moreover, Nick has represented his Team Ontario West in two Football Canada Cups:  2011 in Lethbridge, Alberta and 2012 in London, Ontario.  Not only did he help the team win the bronze medal in the event, but he was also named a tournament all-star at the 2012 tournament in a defensive back position.  Parisotto represented Team Canada at 2012  International Bowl in Austin, where the team dropped a 29-14 decision to Team USA.

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