Former Yorkton Regional High School (YRHS) student RJ Skinner had an interesting year over the past eight months or so and by the sounds of it, next school year has the makings to be way better.
"It's definitely an eye opener," says Skinner over the telephone when asked what it's like to be a part of CIS football.
The former defensive lineman of the YRHS Raiders football program accepted the invitation to play for the University of Manitoba Bison football program. He was labelled as a redshirt freshman which meant that he was not going to see much playing time.
"You always want to be bigger, better, faster, stronger."
Instead he had the opportunity to watch and learn the university game from the sidelines.
"It's obviously a step up from high school," Skinner quoted. "There's more time commitment to football then in high school."
Being labelled as redshirt had him on the practice roster but said it wasn't a bad experience adding that it was "just being away from home for the first time" that helped him learn to adapt.
"It was fun from the start," he insisted, adding that the football is "pretty good."
He also added that despite playing for a very small portion in one of U. of M's home games against the U. of A., his chances of seeing more playing time next year should go up, especially if he gets to play next season on the offensive line as well.
"The offensive line is one of the positions to get the least attention," he insists.
He also added that the U. of M., will have a new defensive line coach for next year. Some positive feedback from the Bison's head coach last season figures Skinner should be in pretty good contention for increased playing time when 2010 football starts.
Skinner said he is "looking good" at this point.
The U. of M., training camp will be starting up in a couple of weeks and among his competition for work will be current Hamilton Tiger-Cats' defensive tackle Eddie Steele. Steele is currently listed on www.ticats.ca website on the practice roster .
