//DATE: Mar. 26, 2008
//For Immediate Release

15 Commit to Rams for 2008 Season

REGINA, Sask. - University of Regina head football coach Frank McCrystal announced Wednesday that 15 players have committed to the Rams for the 2008 season.

Six of the 15 players will come to the Rams straight from local high schools, including Ryan Wellman, the Regina Intercollegiate Football League's Schwann Conference Offensive Player of the Year. The Rams received commitments from five high school-aged players from other provinces, including three from British Columbia, one from Alberta, and one from Manitoba. 

The Rams also received commitments from two players out of U.S. junior colleges, one from the Canadian Junior Football League, and one that will be returning to the U of R after taking a year off following a season with the men's volleyball team.

Middle linebacker Bruce Anderson was tabbed by McCrystal as the player that might make the most immediate impact. Anderson, who was named the 2005 Defensive Player of the Year at the highest level of British Columbia high school football, spent the previous two seasons with the Butte College Roadrunners and will be aiming to fill the hole left by departed linebacker Mat Nesbitt.

The U of R's coaching staff will get their first look at the players in a Rams uniform during next month's spring camp. Presented by Laurentian Bank Securities, the camp will run from April 25 to April 27 at the Rams' on-campus practice field.

Player Profiles

MLB Bruce Anderson (6-1, 232 lbs., 3rd, Butte College) - hometown is Coquitlam, B.C. * helped the Butte College Roadrunners to a 7-4 record in 2007 * had seven solo tackles and 11 assisted tackles last season * also had two sacks, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble * was the 2005 British Columbia High School Football Associations' AAA Defensive Player of the Year with Centennial Secondary.
McCrystal's Comment: "Bruce is a pure mac linebacker. We feel confident he'll come in and challenge for Mat Nesbitt's spot."

DE/LB/S Marco Contenti (6-1, 222 lbs., 1st, Fort Saskatchewan HS) - hometown is Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. * led the Metro Edmonton High School Athletic Association in total tackles in 2007, registering 42 solo tackles and 48 assisted tackles * also played tight end for the Sting, catching 13 balls for 202 receiving yards.
McCrystal's Comment: "Marco is a big, young, two-way player but we feel he'll fit in on the defensive side of the ball here. Given his size and potential, he could play anywhere from defensive end to linebacker to safety, but time will tell."

LB Phil Dick (6-1, 223 lbs., 1st, St. Thomas More Collegiate) - hometown is Vancouver * helped St. Thomas More to a 6-1 record in the BCHSFA's Eastern Conference in 2007 * had 26 tackles, two interceptions, and one sack in seven games * played tight end for the Knights and had nine catches for 89 yards * also handled punting and kicking duties, averaging 41.4 yards per punt, hitting two of his three field goal attempts, and converting 23 of 26 extra points.
McCrystal's Comment: "Phil's a real two-way player, plus he can kick, which is an added bonus. He's big, strong, and athletic and has all the tools to make his mark at the next level - which might come sooner rather than later."

DE Zach Evans (6-4, 255 lbs., 1st, O'Neill HS) - hometown is Regina * named the team's Special Teams Player of the Year * played on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball for the Titans.
McCrystal's Comment: "Zach is big, strong, fast, and most importantly is an excellent student. He played both offence and defence for O'Neill, but we feel his best fit is on the defensive line."

WR Evan Fornwald (6-3, 192 lbs., 2nd, University of Regina) - hometown is Regina * spent the 2006-07 season with the U of R's men's volleyball team, appearing in four matches and registering two digs and one kill * played football, basketball, and volleyball at LeBoldus HS.
McCrystal's Comment: "Evan is a guy that we tried to recruit two years ago. We thought he was one of the better athletes coming out of high school, but he felt that volleyball was a better fit for him at the time. We're going to take a real good look at him at receiver or maybe even as a defensive back."

DT Matt Grado (6-2, 274 lbs., 1st, Okanagan Misson Secondary) - hometown is Kelowna, B.C. * played both offensive line and defensive line for the Huskies * led his team with 32 tackles in five games * was named a 2007 provincial all-star * was named a 2007 Interior Conference all-star.
McCrystal's Comment: "Matt has good natural size and we feel that he has great potential and could develop into an impact player for us. He played on both sides of the ball last year, but we see him fitting into the interior of our d-line."

OL Bryce Ketcheson (6-5, 320 lbs., 1st, Vincent Massey HS) - hometown is Brandon, Man. * named the Rural Manitoba Football League's Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2007 * named the Vikings' team MVP in 2007.
McCrystal's Comment: "We've had great success with players out of Brandon and we hope that continues with Bryce. He's a big o-lineman that's done very well in school. With his size and his versatility - he also plays basketball and track - he has great potential."

DB Kirby Kezama (5-11, 185 lbs., 1st, Balfour Collegiate) - hometown is Regina * named Balfour's Defensive Player of the Year * named the defensive MVP of Football Saskatchewan's 2007 Top 90 Camp * participated in both the 2006 and 2007 Top 90 Camps.
McCrystal's Comment: "Kirby is a very physical defensive back that will come in and play some of the inside positions in the defensive backfield. He's hard-working, determined, and he wants to be here."

RB Justin Marit (6-1, 238 lbs., 4th, Calgary Colts) - hometown is Cochrane, Alta. * rushed for 45 yards in two games last year with the University of Calgary before spending the remainder of the season with the Calgary Colts * rushed seven times for 27 yards with the Dinos in 2006 * had two carries for 16 yards with the Dinos in 2005.
McCrystal's Comment: "Justin is a big, strong, fast, and determined player and we're hoping he can step up and fill one of the open positions in our backfield.

WR Matt Sawyer (5-11, 160 lbs., 1st, Winston Knoll Collegiate) - hometown is Regina * played receiver for Winston Knoll * helped the Wolverines to a 5-1 record in the regular season * named the team's Offensive Player of the Year * also saw spot duty at quarterback.
McCrystal's Comment: "Matt is an all-around, complete football player. He's a tough kid and he'll probably be able to make an immediate impact on special teams for us."

OG Nick Sumner (6-3, 310 lbs., 3rd, Mesabi Range CTC) - hometown is Brandon, Man. * played offensive line for the Mesabi Range Norsemen * team had a 2-7 overall record in 2007, but he missed the entire season after suffering an injury during the first scrimmage of preseason * helped the Norsemen average 25.2 points per game as the team put together a 5-4 record in 2006.
McCrystal's Comment: "Nick will probably come in as a guard. He missed most of last season recovering from a knee injury, but we're anxious to get him into camp to see what he can do."

CB Jamir Walker (5-11, 160 lbs., 1st, Sheldon-Williams Collegiate) - hometown is Regina * also a key part of the Spartans' basketball team that recently placed second at the 2008 provincial 5A championships * teammate of fellow recruit Ryan Wellman at Sheldon.
McCrystal's Comment: "Jamir is an athletic, home-grown talent that we feel has the skill set to be in the next set of d-backs that can solidify us at the corners."

DB Taylor Wandler (6-1, 180 lbs., 1st, Riffel HS) - hometown is Regina * helped the Riffel Royals win a city championship and finish as the provincial 4A runner-up * participated in Football Saskatchewan's 2007 Top 90 Camp.
McCrystal's Comment: "Taylor hasn't played a lot of football. He's only played for two or three years but he covers well and tackles well. We think he'll turn into a fine player at the CIS level."

RB Levi Weaver (5-10, 185 lbs., 1st, Chilliwack Giants) - hometown is Chilliwack, B.C. * spent the 2007 season with the midget Chilliwack Giants in the Valley Community Football League * helped the Giants to a 7-4 record and a third-place finish in the VCFL.
McCrystal's Comment: "Levi was recommended to us by Dave Haynes, the same guy that recommended Chad Goldie and Mike Sache. It'll be a huge jump to the CIS level for him, but we're really looking forward to seeing him at spring camp next month."

DL Ryan Wellman (6-5, 204 lbs., 1st, Sheldon-Williams Collegiate) - hometown is Regina * named the RIFL's Schwann Conference Offensive Player of the Year * also played quarterback with the Spartans * helped the Spartans' basketball team to a second-place finish at the 2008 provincial 5A championships.
McCrystal's Comment: Ryan is athletic, has great size, and we feel that he has the edge to play at the next level. He played quarterback at Sheldon, but we think that he'll slide into our defensive line with the Rams."