The top prospects in Canadian football have been named, and two Yorkton players are on the roster. The Canadafootballchat.com prospect game can鈥檛 take place due to COVID-19, but the selection camps were held, and the rosters released to celebrate the efforts of the players named. Last year, the first game was aired on TSN, and the game itself has Henry Burris and Matt Dunigan serve as head coaches for the two different teams.
Running back Garrett Ellis and defensive tackle Reece McCormick have both been named to the roster, Ellis on Team Burris and McCormick on Team Dunigan. The grade 12 students were both thrilled to be part of the roster.
鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty mind-blowing. It sucks that COVID isn鈥檛 letting the game happen, but it鈥檚 still good to be noticed as one of the top prospects in Canada. I鈥檓 still pretty shocked about it,鈥� said McCormick.
鈥淚鈥檝e been putting in the work, and it鈥檚 good to know it鈥檚 paying off and I鈥檓 getting noticed,鈥� said Ellis.
McCormick said that one of the most important things about being named on the roster is that prospective coaches will see it, and they鈥檙e a big part of a player鈥檚 future in the sport.
Had the game taken place, the two would have been on opposing teams, and they view it as a missed opportunity. Because McCormick had a knee injury, they weren鈥檛 really ever on the field together, not even in practice.
鈥淚f the game was going on, it would have been nice to tackle my buddy,鈥� said McCormick.
While COVID-19 has made staying in shape difficult, both are grateful that the gyms are still open and have been spending a great deal of time there keeping in shape. McCormick said he has also purchased a large amount of gym equipment so he can work out at home as well.
McCormick currently doesn鈥檛 know what鈥檚 going on next year. He鈥檚 currently waiting to find out what is happening with his knee, and is considering either going to Calgary on a full scholarship or playing Junior football to 鈥渒nock the rust off.鈥�
Ellis just committed to the University of Toronto a couple days ago. He said it settles the nerves to know where he鈥檚 going and what鈥檚 next for his football career. He鈥檚 planning to study kinesiology, and eventually study physiotherapy.
