Rams woo recruits
By Ian Hamilton, Leader-Post
January 29, 2010
Ray Wladichuk was left without a football team when Simon Fraser
University was admitted into the NCAA.
Now the 22-year-old product of Vernon, B.C., has a CFL contract
in hand and other CIS teams after him.
Wladichuk, a defensive back who signed with the Hamilton
Tiger-Cats on Jan. 21, was at the University of Regina's Centre
for Kinesiology, Health and Sport on Thursday to do some
physical testing and drills with other players being recruited
by the U of R Rams.
"Simon Fraser went to the NCAA, so I lost my last year of
eligibility," said Wladichuk who, by playing four CIS seasons
with the Clan, isn't eligible to play with SFU in the NCAA.
"Coach (Frank) McCrystal (of the Rams) called me up and
recruited me and here I am.
"Obviously I want to make the CFL, but if I don't, I want to
keep playing football and this is an option."
Wladichuk is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back whom the
Tiger-Cats selected in the fifth round (38th overall) of the
2009 Canadian college draft. He attended Hamilton's training
camp last season, but returned to SFU for the '09 Canada West
season.
In seven games, he had 16 solo tackles, 12 assists and one
interception. During his career with the Clan, he played
defensive back, linebacker and safety.
"He's an impact player," McCrystal said of Wladichuk, who won't
have to sit out a season after transferring because the Clan is
leaving the CIS. "He's able to do a number of things and he's
got good size. He's someone who can come in and make a real
difference right now."
Wladichuk said he's still weighing his options among CIS
schools, but he suggested the U of R "is the top choice."
"Saskatchewan and football go hand in hand," Wladichuk said. "I
know Regina likes the Rams, this is a great facility and they're
going to be a good team. They'll be contenders next year."
The recruiting process is something new for Wladichuk, who went
directly from high school to Simon Fraser.
"It's kind of funny," he said. "I'm not treated like a high
school kid would be treated since I'm not going to spend five
years in the program. I'm just trying to finish up school and my
football career in the CIS."
The other prospective recruits at the U of R on Thursday all are
looking just to start their CIS careers.
Defensive linemen Stefan Charles (BCFC's Big Kahuna Rams), Jas
Dhillon (Big Kahuna), Grant Potter (Calgary Lord Beaverbrook
High School) and Steve Arens (PFC's Regina Thunder) were joined
at the workout by running back Armand Bokitch (Okanagan Mission
Secondary School in Kelowna, B.C.), linebacker/slotback Will
Disbery (Okanagan Mission), quarterback/receiver Jake Altilio
(Calgary St. Mary's High School), and offensive lineman Jordy
Kyle (Thunder).
"Defensive linemen -- simple as that," McCrystal said when asked
what's on the Rams' wish list.
"We've had really tough luck with defensive linemen. Guys have
quit or moved on. Naturally, we have some other people here, but
if there's a focus, it's on the D-line."
That's good news for Dhillon, a 6-foot-2, 270-pounder who had 13
tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery for Big Kahuna last
season.
The 20-year-old Vancouver product said he's "almost 100-per-cent
sure" he's going to join the Rams, having been impressed by
"everything" during his visit.
"Apart from the facility, the coaches and players are so
hospitable and make you feel so welcome," he said. "It has been
a brutally good first impression."
Dhillon still has junior eligibility remaining, but he's ready
to make the move to the CIS.
"It's time; it has been time for a while," he said.
"It's time to take the leap and expand and grow. It's not just
football. It's time to get out on my own, mature and do (stuff)
for myself. I'm not a baby anymore."
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