3 RBs join McGill Redmen

McGill increases its defensive core with recent commits.

The McGill Redmen are stocking up on defensive backs, having brought in Markens Valcourt from John Abbott College, Guillaume Beland and Vincent Morissette from Collège André-Grasset to their 2017 class.

Markens Valcourt

Courtesy of Markens Valcourt.

Coming from Montréal, Québec, Markens Valcourt would have been already familiar with McGill University. “The prestige associated with McGill was very appealing,” he said. “(Same with) the amount of opportunities in the job market it will bring after getting my diploma (in economics.”

The young status of the team was also a highlight for the 5’1, 180lbs Valcourt. He said that because many of the players are going into their second year, he will have the same teammates for most of his years with the Redmen. He added that, “The young coaching staff is building something solid for the years to come.”

“McGill has a young, energetic and passionate coaching staff. Some of them even played together, which creates an obvious bond between them. They are brining this team in the right direction and I’d like to be apart of it.”

While courting a recruit is important, for Valcourt, interacting with his family is also holds significance. “The coaching staff knew how important it was for me to get my family involved and they did their best to communicate with them. They met my uncle who lives in Toronto. They kept in touch throughout the whole recruiting process, which was greatly appreciated,” he said.

The two-year John Abbott College Islander (RSEQ Division 2) has been apart of several teams in his career. Prior to the Islanders, he played with Les Faucons de Dorval Jean-XXIII (RSEQ) for two seasons. He also spent a year in the North Shore Football League, four with the A-Ma-Baie Eagles and Alouettes (Linge de Football Senior) and two with the Pointe-Saint-Charles Aces (Lingue de Football Montréal-Métro).

In 2008, he won a provincial championship with A-Ma-Baie, one with North Shore in 2011 and a regional championship with Les Faucons in 2013.

Guillaume Beland

Guillaume Beland ($35). Courtesy of Guillaume Beland.

Guillaume Beland is also from Montréal, although he spent his cégep career with Les Phénix du Collège André-Grasset (RSEQ Division 1) after five years with Les Cactus du Collège Notre-Dame (RSEQ). He was drawn to McGill because of the academics, football program and the coaching staff. He added that he is interested in business.

“This football program has a great future,” he said. “The coaching staff is composed of talented and motivated coaches that surely want to win. (I’m) very excited to work with them.”

The 5’10, 160lbs football player was named as an all-star in 2014, the same year he won a Bol d’Or as a captain with Notre-Dame. He participated in the 2015 Bol d’Or with Les Phénix where he also acted as a captain. His pass-deflection talents have been recognized by the RSEQ when he was named to the Record Top 10 for deflected passes in one season.

Vincent Morissette

Vincent Morissette. By Ron Hilaire.

Beland will be joined by his Les Phénix teammate, Vincent Morissette. In his high school career, this Montréaler played with Les Aigles du Collège Jean-Eudes (RSEQ).

 

 

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