Toronto commits ready to flourish

Toronto adds two out-of-province commits and one Ontario commit to their 2018 class.

Offensive lineman Quin Paterson from Seaquam Secondary School and defensive back Andreas Kastellanos from Dakota Collegiate aren’t from Ontario, but soon they will be getting a taste of OUA football after signing with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.

Running back Maxwell Gyimah from Westmount Secondary School will also be joining the Varsity Blues.

Quin Paterson

Courtesy of Quin Paterson.

Set to leave the Pacific Ocean behind, Quin Paterson will soon be on the significantly smaller shores of Lake Ontario. The product of Surrey, BC, was drawn to Toronto because “they have a great coaching staff, facilities and academics.”

The future criminology student added, “The coaching staff is very supportive, but at the same time they will push you to your limits. Although I only had a limited time to talk to Head Coach Marshall, I could tell he is dedicated to the team and has a drive to improve it.”

Paterson spent five years with the White Rock Titans and two with the Seaquam Seahawks (BCSSFA). While with the Titans, the 6’3, 295lbs right guard helped his team win two provincial championships in 2016 and 2017. The Titans recognized him with a lineman of the year award as well. He won another provincial championship with the Seahawks in 2016.

Andreas Kastellanos

Andreas Kastellanos will be leaving his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, to reach the capital of Ontario. “I chose to commit to this school because I felt it captivated my academic and athletic needs,” he said. “Education is very important to me and academically, this school is the best in Canada.”

Kastellanos will begin his university career in humanities, arts and sciences. He said he plans on transferring into life sciences in second year.

In terms of football, Kastellanos said, “They’ve very impressive. This is a super young team with loads of talent. They’re an ambitious group that I am very much looking forward to being apart of.”

It’s the coaches who will have the duty of flourishing this talent. “They’re a very dedicated and motivated coaching staff that are in the office every day and their experience level is off the charts. I can’t wait to show them what I’m made of,” Kastellanos said.

The 5’11, 160lbs cornerback spent his high school career with the Dakota Collegiate Lancers (WHSFL). He has also played with the St. Vital Mustangs (MMFA). In 2014, he won a coaches’ award and a provincial bantam championship. The Lancers recently lost the AAA championship to St. Paul’s. A multi-sport athlete, Kastellanos also plays hockey, basketball and water polo. He enjoys running track as well.

Maxwell Gyimah

Maxwell Gymiah is leaving Steeltown and heading for The Six, lured in by the chance to study chemical engineering. “Toronto is ranked (as) Canada’s number one engineering school, so being able to receive a world-class education was one of the biggest factors for choosing the school,” Gymiah said. “In terms of football, the fact that this is sort of a transition period for Toronto with the introduction of new coaches and the chance to be apart of rebuilding a program is really appealing to me as well.”

Gymiah has had nothing but a positive experience with the Varsity Blues’ coaching staff. He said all the coaches he as been in contact with have been very friendly and welcoming, especially Coach Surya and Cappiello. “They maintained contact and supported me throughout the admissions and recruiting process and made me feel like a Blues even before I committed.”

Standing at 5’10, 190lbs, Gyimah from Hamilton, Ontario, played with the Westmount Wildcats (HWDSB) and the Hamilton Varsity Tiger-Cats (OPFL). Last season versus the London Jr. Mustangs (OPFL), Gyimah had over 20 carries in the game. He is a two-time MVP with Westmount.

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