Rising senior safety Arjen Colquhoun from W.F. Herman Secondary School in Windsor, Ontario is attracting more interest from college football programs with every day that passes.
Colquhoun talked to Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi Tuesday night to set up an unofficial visit. Colquhoun, along with his mom, Dolly Garbutt, and dad, Anthony Colquhoun, will be in East Lansing on Monday or Tuesday of next week.
“I just talked to Pat Narduzzi,” Colquhoun said. “He wants me to come back for another visit, get to know the coaches a little more, get to know Dantonio a little more, get more familiar with the school and their football team and the academic side, too.”
This past fall, Colquhoun took an unofficial visit to East Lansing for the Michigan State-Central Michigan game.
“I was blown away,” he said. “I was in awe. It was a dream and I didn’t know football was that serious.”
Getting Colquhounās family on campus is a key.
“They have a say in what happens to me and what university I go to,” he said. “I have to make sure that they are 100-percent with it as well.”
The Spartans staff got a first-hand look at Colquhoun when he attended a Sound Mind Sound Body camp. Narduzzi wants him back on campus for a further evaluation.
“No, [Michigan State] has not offered me yet,” Colquhoun said. “But Narduzzi asked me what I would do or say if they did offer me.”
The 6-foot-1 and 180-pound Colquhoun has been referred to as the “Canadian Flash” because of his exceptional speed. He was influenced by his father to begin playing football at six years old but it wasn’t until ninth grade that he knew he had talent to play at the next level.
“My coach, Harry Lumley, came up to me and told me I would be a great player by the time I’m done with high school,” Colquhoun said.
Lazanja, a recruiting consultant in Canada, knew Colquhoun had enough talent to play in college and helped him get his name out. Lazanja estimates he put in over 100 hours getting him recognized, not the easiest feat for Canadian prospects.
Interest picked up last season. Rice was the first to offer. Central Michigan, Akron, Cornell and Northwood have all followed suit.
Colquhounās ultimate goal is to get on the field in a place where football is king.
“The passion and love for football in America is greater than in Canada,” Colquhoun said. “Nobody takes football that seriously in Canada, so we get shafted. People think our level of competition is not equal but I don’t think it is that bad.”
Northern Exposure: Spartans focused on Candadian prospect
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