RAMS RECRUIT FIVE LOCAL PLAYERS
REGINA, Sask. – The busy month of December continued for the University of Regina Rams on Monday as head coach Mike Gibson announced that five local players have signed a CIS Letter of Intent to join the program beginning with the 2016 season.
The list of five commits includes Adair Borys (Weyburn Comprehensive), Colton Friesen (Winston Knoll Collegiate), Scott Jones (Weyburn Comprehensive), Blake Scherle (Greenall HS), and Brayden Wagg (Campbell Collegiate).
Brayden Wagg earned Schwann Conference all-star honours at quarterback after leading the seven-team league in all major passing categories, but is being recruited to the Rams as a running back. He completed 63 of his 115 pass attempts during the regular season, finishing the year with 1050 passing yards and 18 touchdown passes. Wagg was also fourth in the conference in rushing with 345 yards and five touchdowns on 32 carries, helping the Tartans to a 5-1 league record. Wagg has also played for Team Saskatchewan at the U18 level the past two summers at the Football Canada Cup, helping the team to a bronze medal at the 2015 tournament held in Quebec.
“Brayden is an excellent athlete that comes from a winning program and has the ability to play a lot of positions effectively,” Gibson said. “We’re thrilled to have him. He’s got some great intangibles, he’s a winner, he comes from a great family, and he plays a lot bigger than his listed size.”
Colton Friesen was also a Schwann Conference all-star at receiver, finishing the season tied for second in the league with 23 receptions and also accumulating 330 receiving yards and one touchdown catch for Winston Knoll. Listed at 6-3 and 210 lbs., Friesen is expected to come in as a slotback.
“Colton absolutely has a future in CIS football,” Gibson said. “He brings a bigger body to the table with athleticism, and you add to that his ability to block, catch, and run and he has all the makings of a very good inside receiver at this level.”
Blake Scherle quarterbacked Greenall to a 4-2 regular season record and an appearance in the 3A city championship game this season. He completed 47 passes for 891 yards and a league-leading 10 touchdowns for the Griffins, earning Stewart Conference all-star honours in the process. Scherle was coached by current Rams offensive coordinator Mark McConkey for two seasons at Greenall.
“Coach McConkey only has great things to say about Blake,” Gibson said. “He’s smart, throws a nice ball, and will come in here with an opportunity to continue his development at the CIS level.”
Adair Borys was a two-way starter for Weyburn Comprehensive this past season, including at cornerback on the defensive side of the ball and as a slotback on the offensive side. He finished tied for the Moose Jaw High School Football League lead with four interceptions in six regular season games for the Eagles and will come into the Rams program as a defensive back.
“Adair might not seem like the biggest guy in the world, but he’s a strong farm kid and when you watch his film you see people jolt when he hits them,” Gibson said. “He was one of the best in his league at his position last year and he’s going to have a very good chance to come in here and show what he can do very quickly.”
Scott Jones was also a two-way starter for the Weyburn Eagles in 2015, starting on the offensive line and at linebacker while also handling long snapping duties. Jones is the younger brother of former Rams offensive lineman Brett Jones and at 5-10, 185 lbs. is being recruited to the U of R as a fullback.
“Scott’s obviously got great bloodlines but what you’ve got to love about him is that he’s already working out consistently with Brett in the weight room so he certainly knows what to expect in terms of work ethic to succeed at this level,” Gibson said. “He might have been outsized at the positions he played at last year, but his Weyburn coaches told me he was never outmatched.”
The Rams have now announced nine players in the 2016 recruiting class, six of which hail from Regina or the immediate vicinity.
2016 University of Regina Rams Recruiting Class
DB Adair Borys • 6-0 / 165 • 1st • Weyburn, Sask. (Weyburn Comprehensive)
QB Seb Britton • 6-4 / 195 • 1st • Calgary, Alta. (Rundle College)
DB Cord Delinte • 5-11 / 200 • 2nd • Cowley, Alta. (Okanagan Sun)
SB Colton Friesen • 6-3 / 210 • 1st • Regina, Sask. (Winston Knoll Collegiate)
K/R Thomas Huber • 6-1 / 190 • 4th • North Vancouver, B.C. (Okanagan Sun)
FB Scott Jones • 5-10 / 185 • 1st • Weyburn, Sask. (Weyburn Comprehensive)
OL Bowen Pisula • 6-2 / 275 • 1st • Regina, Sask. (Dr. Martin LeBoldus HS)
QB Blake Scherle • 5-11 / 160 • 1st • Emerald Park, Sask. (Greenall HS)
RB Brayden Wagg • 5-10 / 180 • 1st • Regina, Sask. (Campbell Collegiate)
