Carabins announce first wave of recruits

Carabins announce 23 recruits, including 5 CFC TOP 100 players

Montreal – The fall recruitment period was good for the Montreal Carabins More than twenty players will all bring quality depth to training camp, and have decided to continue their journey at University of Montreal. Head Coach Danny Maciocia’s staff scouted throughout Quebec’s college network to find this talented group.

“This is the fruit of a long process,” said Maciocia. “In college football, there is no draft session or signing free agents.”

“Recruitment occupies a prime spot in the work of our coaches and we are very satisfied with the work done so far. We add a very promising group of players and there are others who are strongly interested and have not yet made their decision. ”

The Carabins’ newest recruits come with varied backgrounds. Of the 23 players that were presented on Friday morning at the Guy Fréchette Carabins Salon, they come from 11 college institutions in several established regions of Quebec and have played in either CEGEP Divisions 1, 2 or 3.

The Carabins have been able to form a solid core of players in recent years. Some of these newcomers could see plenty of action next year, but all add a rare quality of depth.

“These guys who are gathered here today believe in what we want to do here,” said the Carabins Head Coach. “The majority of them were leaders on their respective college teams.”

“I know they have come here for the right reasons and they will fit well within our organization. There is always room for recruits who are willing to work hard. ”

Many of these players have won championships in recent years. In total, these 23 recruits have won a combined total of 14 Bol D’Or championships. In addition, Édouard-Montpetit Lynx receiver Regis Cibasu , Vanier Cheetahs linebacker Jean-Gabriel Poulin and FX-Garneau Elans kicker Louis-Philippe Simoneau were part Team Canada, led by Noel Thorpe, who all won the IFAF World Junior Championship in 2012.

Some players to watch:

Of the players who wear the Carabins uniform next season, some have turned in outstanding performances in the CEGEP ranks and are definitely ones to watch for in the near future. Among them, Vieux-Montreal quarterback Hugo Henderson, who is vying for the title of CEGEP Division 1 MVP after leading the league with 2,257 passing yards and 759 yards gained on the ground. In addition to throwing 23 touchdown passes, he also scored 13 majors on the ground. Offensively, Regis Cibasu and Montmorency Nomades Gabriel Parent are also distinguished. In three seasons with the Lynx, Cibasu amassed an impressive total of 1,996 receiving yards. For its part, Parent finished first among running backs with 973 yards.

The defense is equally impressive with  Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars star linebackers Jonathan Boissonneault-Glaou and Jean-Gabriel Poulin. In just four games played in 2013, Boissonneault-Glaou managed 16.5 tackles including 8 were successful behind the line of scrimmage. For his part, Poulin was one of the leaders of his team in tackles.  He has managed a total of 132.5 during his CEGEP seasons.

“In recruiting, every player we welcomed comes with a different folder,” said Maciocia. They all have different academic, athletic and personal needs and objectives.”

“Many factors are taken into consideration and we strive to properly guide these players in their decision. We are fortunate to have the largest French-speaking university in the country and leading CEPSUM facilities on campus.” These elements undoubtedly bring added value to our football team. ”

The head coach also talked of the value of education offered at University of Montreal, Polytechnique and HEC that form Canada’s only francophone university to rank among the hundred best universities in the world.

The CEPSUM facilities, with its distinct configuration is not only one of the noisiest of the circuit, but also allows for the team’s essential needs in the heart of the sports center and the campus.

Some of the Carabins recruits will take the field with their teammates at the 2014 spring camp. Others will be present at the training camp in August.

Carabins recruits (alphabetical order):

Landri Akue-Atsa, defensive back

Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars – RSEQ Division 1

2013:  Bol d’Or champion RSEQ Division 1, 26.5 tackles including 24 solo, two interceptions

2012: 26 tackles, including 23 solo, 1 interception, 1 knockdown

2011: 8 games played

Will Altema, tailback

Montmorency Nomades- RSEQ Division 1

2013: 473 yards on 119 carries, 2 touchdowns

2012: 519 yards on 112 carries , 3 touchdowns

2011: 187 yards on 56 carries

Jonathan Boissonneault-Glaou, linebacker [CFC TOP 100]

Champlain-Lennoxville  Cougars- RSEQ Division 1

2013: Bol d’Or champion RSEQ Division 1, 16.5 tackles including 13 solo, 8 tackles for loss including four sacks, 1 interception, 1 touchdown, 2 knockdowns, 4 games played

2012: 47 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 touchdown, 1 knockdown

2011: 7 solo tackles, 2 sacks

Gregoire Bouchard, offensive line [CFC TOP 100]

Vanier Cheetahs – RSEQ Division 1

2013: 10 games played

2012: Bol d’Or Champion RSEQ Division 1, 10 games played

Louis-Philippe Bourassa, fullback / tight end

Diablos Cégep de Trois-Rivières – 2nd Division RSEQ

2013: 58 yards on 12 carries, 152 yards on 8 receptions

2012: 7 Games Played

Tristan Brousseau-Rigaudie, defensive back

Lanaudière  Triades- RSEQ Division 3 Sud-Ouest

2013: 15.5 tackles including 12 solo and one for loss of yards, 1 interception, 2 knockdowns

2012: 5 tackles including four solo, four knockdowns, 39 yards on two kickoff returns

Régis Cibasu, receiver [CFC TOP 100]

Édouard-Montpetit Lynx – RSEQ Division 1

2013: 393 yards on 38 receptions, 2 touchdowns, totaling 98 yards on nine kickoff returns

2012: IFAF World Junior Champion, Outstanding Offensive Player RSEQ Division 1, RSEQ Division 1 All-, Star 779 yards on 48 receptions, 17 yards on four carries, 6 touchdowns, 49 yards on 5 punt punt returns, 71 yards on five kickoff returns

2011: RSEQ Division 1 Rookie of the Year, RSEQ Division 1 All-Star Team, 824 yards on 58 receptions, 11 touchdowns

Karl Deschamps, receiver

Lanaudière Triades – RSEQ  Division 3 Sud-Ouest

2013: RSEQ Division 3 Sud Ouest All-Star Team,  614 yards on 42 receptions , 7 touchdowns, 778 yards on 21 punts for an average of 37.1 yards per punt, 1,079 yards in 22 kickoffs for an average of 49.1 yards per punt, one successful attempt placement

2012: 365 yards on 22 receptions, eight touchdowns, 1,305 yards on 33 punts for an average of 39.6 yards per punt

Maxime Dionne defensive line

Lévis-Lauzon Faucons- RSEQ Division 1

2013: 49 tackles, including 34 solo, 16 tackles for losses including three sacks

2012: 19 tackles, including 11 solo, 2 sacks

2011: 1.5 tackles

Arnaud Gendron-Dumouchel, offensive line

Valleyfield Noir et Or – RSEQ Division 3 Sud Ouest

2013: RSEQ Division 3 Bol D’Or Champion, RSEQ Division 3 Sud Ouest Offensive Lineman of the Year, RSEQ Division 3 Sud Ouest All Star Team, 8 games played

2012: RSEQ Division 3 Bol d’Or Champion, 8 games played

2011: 8 games played

Félix Gobeil – Lapointe, offensive line

Lévis-Lauzon Faucons – RSEQ Division 1

2013: 14 tackles, including 7 solo

2012: 5 tackles including 13 solo, 1 sack

2011: 14.5 tackles including 10 solo, 2 sacks

Mathieu Guindon, receiver

Andre-Grasset Phenix- RSEQ Division 2

2013: RSEQ Division 2 Academic Merit, 283 yards on 12 receptions, 1 touchdown

2012: RSEQ Division 2 Division & Bol d’Or Champions , RSEQ Division 2 Academic Merit, 391 yards on 16 receptions, 6 touchdowns

2011: RSEQ Division 3 Bol d’Or champions,  332 yards on 15 receptions, 2 touchdowns

Hugo Henderson, quarterback

Vieux Montreal  Spartiates- RSEQ Division 1

2013: 165 completions  in 256 attempts, 2,257 yards (league leading), 23 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 759 yards on 111 carries 13 touchdowns (league leading)

2012: 28 completions in 53 attempts, 370 yards, 4 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 262 yards on 48 carries, 3 touchdowns, 1563 yards on 37 kickoffs for an average of 42.2 yards per punt, 6 successful field goals in nine attempts

2011: 10 completions in 19 attempts, 163 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 92 yards on 20 carries.

Vincent Jacques, defensive back

Édouard-Montpetit  Lynx – RSEQ Division 1

2013: 43 tackles, including 28 solo and five for losses, three interceptions, two knockdowns, 1 reception for 25 yards, 1 touchdown, 77 yards on four kickoff returns

2012: 20.5 tackles including 17 solo, 1 interception, 5 games played

2011: 23.5 tackles, including 19 solo, two interceptions, one knockdown

Alexandre Labbé, fullback / tight end

Valleyfield Noir et Or – RSEQ Division 3 Sud Ouest

2013: RSEQ Division 3 Bol d’Or Champion, 179 yards on 11 receptions, 2 touchdowns

2012: RSEQ Division 3 Bol d’Or Champion,   178 yards on 15 receptions, 1 touchdown

2011: 84 yards on 8 receptions

Maxime Laliberté, offensive line [CFC TOP 100]

Vieux Montreal  Spartiates- RSEQ Division 1

2013: 10 games played

2012: RSEQ Division 1 Academic Merit, 9 games played

2011: 3 games played

Stephen Louis Phanor, receiver

Montmorency Nomades – RSEQ Division 1

2013: 47 yards on five receptions in 4 games played

2012: 215 yards on 14 receptions, 2 touchdowns in 6 games played

Gabriel Parent, running back [CFC TOP 100]

Montmorency Nomades- RSEQ Division 1

2013: 973 yards (league leading) on 122 carries, 12 touchdowns, including 10 on the ground, 250 yards on 12 receptions, 174 total yards on 11 kickoff returns.

2012: 699 yards on 113 runs, 175 yards on 19 receptions, 1 touchdown, 175 yards on 19 receptions, 1 touchdown, 87 yards on 11 punt/kickoff returns

2011 (Collège Lionel-Groulx, 3rd division): 633 yards in 91 carries, 5 touchdowns, 90 yards on 6 receptions, 1 touchdown

Francis Plouffe, fullback / tight end

Vieux Montreal Spartiates- RSEQ Division 1

2013: 17 yards on 3 receptions

2012: 38 yards on 2 receptions

2011: 10 games played

Jean-Gabriel Poulin, linebacker [CFC TOP 100]

Vanier Cheetahs – RSEQ Division 1

2013: Member of the World team at the IFAF International Bowl, 35.5 tackles including 21 solo, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 touchdown

2012: IFAF World Junior Championship Champion, RSEQ Division 1 Bol d’Or Champion, RSEQ Division 1 All-Star Team, 55 tackles including 38 solo, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 knockdowns

2011: 42 tackles, including 34 solo, 7 tackles for loss including a sack, three knockdowns

Louis-Philippe Simoneau, kicker

FX-Garneau Elan –  RSEQ Division 1

2013: Member of the World team at the IFAF International Bowl 1969 yards on 55 punts for an average of 35.8 yards per punt, 1973 39 kickoffs for an average of 50.6 yards per kick, 8 field goals in 13 attempts

2012: IFAF World Junior Championship Champion, 2131 yards on 58 punts for an average of 36.7 yards per punt, 2,359 yards in 46 kickoffs for an average of 51.3 yards per punt, 13 field goals in 18 attempts

2011: RSEQ Division 1 Bol d’Or Champion, RSEQ Division 1 Special Teams Player of the Year, RSEQ Division 1 All-Star Team, 1355 yards on 38 punts for an average of 35.7 yards per punt , 2,791 yards in 55 kickoffs for an average of 50.8 yards per punt, 10 field goals in 14 attempts

Gustave Sylvestre, offensive line

Andre-Grasset Phenix- RSEQ Division 2

2013: RSEQ Division 2 All Star Team

2012: RSEQ Division 2 Bol d’Or Champion, RSEQ Division 2 All-Star Team

Guillaume Thibodeau, offensive line

Andre-Grasset Phenix- RSEQ Division 2

2013: 4 games played

2012: RSEQ Division 2 Bol d’Or Champion, 7 games played

2011: RSEQ Division 3 Bol d’Or Champion, 8 games played

(With files from Mathieu Dauphinais)