Stingers land blue chip from Texas

Mickey Donovan, head coach of the Concordia University football program, is pleased to announce lineman Andre McKissack has signed a letter of intent and will join the Stingers at training camp this August in Montreal.

McKissack is a six-foot-one, 315-pound noseguard/offensive guard from Crandall High School in Crandall, Texas.

“Football is my life,” said McKissack who was a first string all-district player in 2013. “When the Concordia coaches contacted me I looked into the program, and it was the passion the coaches have for the game that convinced me to join the Stingers.”

In 2013, McKissack played 10 games collecting 13 solo tackles, 21 assists, 12 tackles for losses and a forced fumble.

The 18-year-old has a maximum bench press of 450 pounds and a maximum squat of 590 pounds. He runs a 5.0 40-yard dash, but plans to have that down to 4.9 when he arrives at camp in August.

He currently works approximately eight hours a week on speed, footwork and flexibility with Anthony Prior, a highly-respected speed coach who spent sevens years in the NFL before heading north to play in the CFL for four more seasons.

“Anthony told me the Canadian game is very fast-paced,” McKissack said. “I still don’t know the fundamental rules, but

I like that there’s a lot of passing. I will have more chances to tackle the quarterback.”

Donovan is thrilled to have a blue chip recruit from Texas joining the Stingers’ family.

“Andre is exactly the type of player we want to build our program around,” said Donovan. “He’s an exceptional person, a good student and a very devoted and skilled football player. I am extremely proud to be able to call him a Stinger.”

The Stingers open the 2014 season at home to the Bishop’s Gaiters on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. The game will be televised by Radio-Canada.