By Dashawn Stephens
As we approach the end of the 2021 U SPORTS football regular season, it’s clear there are a number of new faces who’ve stepped up to the challenge and succeeded in creating an impact, while grabbing the figurative brass ring of opportunity.
A year ago, they may not have been big names.
Now, they stay edged in your mind on Saturday afternoons.
We like to call them breakout players.
We’re looking at breakout players from all 27 U SPORTS football Programs.
OUA
1. Carleton Ravens - Keaton Bruggeling, REC
In what’s been a tough season for the Ravens, a bright spot has been the emergence of Keaton Bruggeling as the team’s leading receiver in touchdowns.
2. Guelph Gryphons - Kiondre Smith, REC
As the season nears a close, it’s still unclear who the starting quarterback is for the Guelph Gryphons.
What is clear, though, is no matter who’s throwing the ball, Kiondre Smith will always find a way to expose defences and reach the endzone.
25 receptions (5th in the OUA), 350 receiving yards (5th in the OUA), 4 receiving touchdowns (2nd in the OUA).
He’s a big talker, but can’t lie, he backs it up.
3. Laurier Golden Hawks - Luke Brubacher, DL
Believe it or not, this is Luke Brubacher’s first year of organized football.
He never played in high school, he never played for summer football, and August training camp was the first time he had ever competed in full pads.
Since then, he’s won a starting job on Laurier’s defensive line, and leads the team in sacks.
Need we say more?
4. McMaster Marauders - Liam Putt, REC
Liam Putt, the receiver? Goes to show how times have changed.
For those who have been active members of the Canadian football community for years, Liam Putt is a very familiar name.
At one point, the Caledonia, ON native was the most coveted quarterback recruit in Canada.
Of course, it’s clear that Putt’s football journey never led him in the direction of becoming the quarterback that pundits thought he’d one day grow into.
Instead, his long journey has led to his reinvention into one of the most versatile receivers in the OUA.
Let’s be real: asides from Clark Barnes, no receiver has been better after the catch this season than Putt. On numerous occasions, he’s displayed the ability to turn a routine short-yardage play into a drive altering gain.
His route-running is crisp, he’s proven he can break tackles, he’s still a playmaker with the ball in his hands, and he’s shown he still has quite the arm.
30 receptions (T-1st in the OUA), 371 receiving yards (3rd in the OUA), five touchdowns (T-3rd in U SPORTS).
If there was an award for U SPORTS Comeback Player of the Year, Putt would be the unanimous choice. His career revival has been amazing to watch, and he deserves his praise.
5. Ottawa Gee-Gees - Rodney Estime, REC
If you ever find yourself watching an Ottawa Gee-Gees game, it’s a given that you’ll hear the commentators speak of Rodney Estime numerous times, through all four quarters.
The second-year receiver from Montréal has become Ben Maracle’s favourite target, hauling in 24 receptions (6th in the OUA) for 338 yards (6th in the OUA) in five games.
6. Queen’s Gaels - Rasheed Tucker, RB
This isn’t Rasheed Tucker’s first season putting up big numbers.
He’s actually been producing for years.
There’s no doubt that the nature of the Gaels’ undefeated season has contributed to the increased spotlight that’s been placed on the fourth-year running back.
114 carries (1st in U SPORTS), 700 yards (2nd in U SPORTS), eight rushing touchdowns (2nd in U SPORTS).
The race for OUA MVP is going to be close, but rest assured, Rasheed Tucker’s name will be on the ballot.
7. U of T Varsity Blues - James Graig, LB
In a year where they’ve made the playoffs for the first time in 25 years, U of T’s defence has also showed signs of improvement, when compared to recent years. A large reason for that improvement has been the play of James Graig.
The third-year linebacker has checked off all stat boxes this season, racking up 31.5 total tackles, three sacks, five tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, one interception, and two pass break-ups.
8. Waterloo Warriors - James Hinsperger, LB
Our pick for OUA Rookie of the Year.
James Hinsperger can stop the run, read the quarterback, make open field tackles and come down with interceptions.
What more would you want from a linebacker?
9. Western Mustangs - Keon Edwards, RB
This choice is pretty obvious.
If there was an award for U SPORTS Breakout Player of the Year, Keon Edwards would probably win it.
The second-year running back has ran wild on OUA defences to the tune of 773 rushing yards (1st in U SPORTS) and nine rushing touchdowns (1st in U SPORTS).
What’s even more impressive - or scary, depending on how you look at it - is that Edwards has done this while splitting carries with senior running back Tre Humes (314 YDS, 2 TDs).
The future is bright, but in this very moment, Edwards has a solid case for OUA MVP.
10. Windsor Lancers - Andrew Beatty, DB
Just giving the vet his respect. Andrew Beatty has been the heart and soul of a Windsor defence that has been impressive this season.
11. York Lions - Avontae McKoy, RB
Another tough season for York. But, first-year receiver Avonte McKoy seems like a promising all-round athlete who can grow into becoming a primary target for the Lions.
Canada West
12. Alberta Golden Bears - Josiah Schakel, LB
Josiah Schakel broke out a long time ago, we’re just making sure you know his name.
13. Calgary Dinos - Josiah Joseph, QB
Let’s clear something up: Josiah Joseph has been making plays, and being a leader within this program for a long time. But, it’s time he receives the overdue praise he deserves!
The senior has already thrown for 1,223 yards (2nd in Canada West) and seven touchdowns (3rd in Canada West).
Don’t be surprised if he finishes the season among the nation’s leading passers.
14. Manitoba Bisons - Jackson Tachinski, QB
No one would blame you for writing off the Manitoba Bisons after their senior quarterback, Des Catellier, went down with an injury in Week One.
Catellier’s replacement, Jackson Tachinski, hasn’t disappointed. Tachinski may not be putting up crazy numbers since taking over the offence, but that’s irrelevant when considering he’s done enough to help the Bisons remain 3-1, while locking up a #4 national ranking.
Bravo, Jackson.
15. Regina Rams - Riley Boresma, REC
In a recent episode of the PRSVRE Podcast, Waterloo receiver, Gordon Lam, gave high praise for Riley Boresma, and even touted him as a receiver for fans to keep their eyes on.
Boresma hasn’t disappointed. Through five games, the Cambridge, ON native has become one of Josh Donnelly’s favourite targets.
16. Saskatchewan Huskies - Mason Nyhus, QB
When you look past all of the hype that surrounds Saskatchewan’s notorious ground game, you’ll find that Mason Nyhus is silently putting together an impressive passing campaign.
In four games, Nyhus is a front-runner for Canada West MVP, already throwing for 15 touchdowns (2nd in U SPORTS), 1,588 yards (1st in CW), and averages 321.8 passing yards per game (1st in U SPORTS).
Don’t sleep, it hasn’t been that long since the Huskies showed us all that they can turn a high-powered offence into a Hardy Cup trophy.
17. UBC Thunderbirds - Garrett Rooker, QB
The UBC Thunderbirds have been in rebuild mode for a few years.
After the graduation of their 2015 Vanier Cup winning class, which featured Quarterback Michael O’Connor, the Thunderbirds have been in desperate search of the next cornerstone of their program, and they may have found it in Garrett Rooker.
An import freshman from League, City Texas, Rooker has already thrown for 1,136 yards (3rd in Canada West) in four games, and has even picked up a statement win against the No. 4 Manitoba Bisons.
With Rooker at the helm, the Thunderbirds once again have a definitive passing attack, which is a mandatory characteristic for success in the always pass-heavy Canada West conference.
RSEQ
18. Concordia Stingers - Olivier Roy, QB
In our 27 Questions pre-season article, we wondered who would emerge as Concordia’s new leader on offence, after the departure of 2019 AUS MVP, Adam Vance.
Well, through seven weeks, it’s become clear that Olivier Roy has not only matched, but possibly surpassed his predecessor.
The Stingers’ signal-caller has emerged as the nation’s leading passer, and by the looks of things, might be the only quarterback to have eclipsed the 2,000 yard mark in 2021.
2,251 passing yards (1st in U SPORTS), 17 touchdowns (1st in U SPORTS), 321.6 passing yards per game (2nd in U SPORTS)
Prepare yourselves, there’s a very good chance that Roy could claim the Hec Crighton award in 2021.
19. Laval Rouge et Or - Kevin Mital, REC
Laval has encountered uncharacteristic issues on offence this season, and it’s reflective of their record.
Nonetheless, Kevin Mital has served as the one element of consistency for the Rouge et Or’s offensive attack, hence why he sits atop the nation in receiving touchdowns (7).
20. McGill Redbirds - Anthony Leclerc, LB
46.5 tackles (1st in U SPORTS), 1.5 sacks, 5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles (T-1st in U SPORTS), one fumble recovery, one interception (T-3rd in U SPORTS), and three pass break ups.
That’s some real workhorse behaviour.
21. Montréal Carabins - Hassane Dosso, REC
It’s hard to only highlight one name out of the plethora of talent on the Carabins this season.
That is, until notice that Hassane Dosso has a 632 receiving yards (1st in U SPORTS) on 42 receptions (T-1st in U SPORTS).
22. Sherbrooke Vert et Or - Tommy Roadley Trohatos, FS
Is Tommy Roadley Trohatos the best cover safety in the RSEQ?
It would be safe to assume so.
AUS
23. Acadia Axemen - Riley Gabriel, DB
In recent years, the crown for top defensive back in the AUS has always been a lopsided affair.
Not this year.
Three interceptions (1st in the AUS), 17.5 total tackles, one sack, and two tackles for a loss.
Riley Gabriel has entered the conversation.
24. Bishop’s Gaiters - Keagan Hughes, LB
Keagan Hughes can best be described as that disruptive linebacker that offensive coordinators don’t bother planning for anymore, because they know that no matter they do, he’ll always find himself involved in the play.
The best you can do is either throw the ball away from him or run the ball away from him. Even then, he’ll still find a way to make an impact.
25. Mount Allison Mounties - Daniel Bell, DB
For some reason, many continued to question Daniel Bell’s talent even after he was named AUS Rookie of the Year in 2019.
Well, Bell is putting together a sophomore campaign that is solidifying him as one of the nations premiere defensive backs.
Two interceptions (2nd in the AUS), five pass breakups (2nd in the AUS), 7.0 tackles per game (1st in the AUS), 28.0 total tackles (2nd in the AUS).
Have any more questions?
26. SMU Huskies - Jacob Morgan, LB
2021 has not gone the way the SMU Huskies may have envisioned. Asides from their new uniforms, there hasn’t been much to rave about surrounding this program.
If there’s one player who’s created a buzz for SMU, it’s third-year linebacker Jacob Morgan, who’s confirmed he has the potential to step into the upper-echelon of AUS linebackers in the future.
27. StFX X-Men - Silas Fagnan, QB
You’d be remissed to believe that rebuilds last long at StFX, because they don’t.
Silas Fagnan is the conference’s leading passer, and St. FX has the fourth ranked passing offence in the country. The X-Men are the clear-cut favourites to claim the Jewett Trophy, and Fagnan is the clear-cut favourite to win AUS MVP.
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