Weekly CIS RECRUITING WRAP (1): SMU & McGill make huge splashes with NCAA transfers

Each and every week, CanadaFootballChat.com will do our best to provide you with a weekly synopsis of all the hustle and bustle of this busy recruiting season.

The following is a look of each conference’s recruiting highlights from the past week (January 5th-11th inclusively) :

AUS:

The Saint Mary’s Huskies started their 2015 recruiting drive with a huge splash as the team announced on Friday that NCAA transfer and local product Andreas Robinson joined the team.  The 6’0, 190 pound defensive back from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia transferred over from NCAA Division 2’s Simon Fraser Clan.

Robinson’s addition created a domino effect for the Huskies.  Soon after, the team secured three more recruits – linebacker Michel Carter (Bishop’s Gaiters transfer), Ontario defensive back Davian Reid Lynch and Ontario lineman Jacob Kroefl.

In addition to the Huskies, the Mount Allison Mounties also made some recruitment gains.  The AUS Champions signed three recruits – Virginia standout Ed Booth, receiver Sean Mcgonigal (Guleph Gryphons transfer) and hometown slotback Liam McDougall.

RSEQ:

One team that was extremely busy last week were the McGill Redmen. Earlier in the week, the team made a huge splash by adding NCAA transfer Joel Karim Zoungrana.    The 6’0, 192 pound defensive back from Montreal, Quebec was previously with NCAA Division 1 team, Boston College Eagles.  With his transfer, he has two years of CIS eligibility remaining and will be able to play this fall.

Over the weekend, the Redmen added to their class.  First off, they offensive lineman Olivier Langlois-Paradis and linebacker Kamba Manueli Katchelewa signed with the team.  Soon after, the team landed three Ontario recruits – London wide receiver/defensive back Jacob Dwinnell, Markham pivot Matthew Prucha and Ajax offensive lineman Cameron Fryer.

Bishop’s Gaiters picked up Champlain-Lennoxille Cougars receiver Bechir Janfaoui.

Last week, the Concordia Stingers also announced the addition of Myles Browne.  The 5’11, 185 pound running back joins the Stingers after guiding CFC #1 Notre Dame Pride to their third consecutive Alberta Provincial Tier 1 Championship.

OUA:

Two teams kicked off their 2015 recruitment drives.  The Ottawa Gee-Gees signed Newmarket pivot/defensive back Luke Griese who just completed his high school career with the Huron Heights Warriors of the York Region Athletic Association (YRAA). Another team that secured their first recruit was University of Toronto Varsity Blues as the team got a commitment from Nova Scotia offensive lineman Duncan Robertson.  He recently suited up for the St. Andrew’s College Saints of the Conference Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA).

The “Bertoia” effect has already begun with the Waterloo Warriors.  Last week came word that the Warriors signed two recruits – Niagara Falls defensive lineman Jordan Holton and Delhi offensive lineman Rodney Boodram.  These are the first two players to commit under rookie Head Coach Chris Bertoia.

As for the Windsor Lancers, the team added three new recruits.  WF Herman Green Griffins teammates –defensive back/wide receiver Devon Woods and defensive back Josh Klinck as well as London offensive lineman Matt Day committed to the team.

Last week, five recruits joined the Guelph Gryphons. Brother tandem Mack and Colton Jones come to the team after finishing stints with Lakeshore Gators of the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association (NRHSAA).  Afterwards, British Columbia offensive lineman Andrew Chichka signed with the team.  Towards the end of the week, Hamilton receiver Mike Ciavarella and Niagara linebacker Dean Yaromich committed to the OUA team.

CANADA WEST:

A few teams made some gains last week.

The Calgary Dinos landed their first recruit of the 2015 season.  Running back Brenden Hansen joins the Dinos after playing for Henry Wise Wood Warriors of the Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association (CSHSAA).

Alberta Golden Bears grabbed a recruit from CFC #1 Notre Dame Pride.  Wide receiver Jon Girma signed with the team last week.

Meanwhile, the Regina Rams secured Balfour Redmen running back Ryan Schienbein.