CFC100, DL teammates and Alberta commit land in Guelph

Guelph adds three Kitchener commits and one out-of-province commit to their Class of 2017.

Defensive linemen Noah Ross and Akash Swaminadhan from St. Mary’s High School have known each other for a long time, but now they get an extra four years on the line together after both signed with the University of Guelph Gryphons.

CFC100 linebacker Justin Jelacic from Resurrection Catholic Secondary School and running back Jacob McDonald from Ernest Manning High School have also signed with Guelph.

Noah Ross

The Gryphons are in prime position to elevate their football program. It was a factor that influenced Noah Ross’s decision to commit. “They have a great football program that is expanding with the new ten-million-dollar upgrade,” he said.

Money, however, can only take you so far. It’s a good thing that Guelph has the coaches to back the team. “The coaching staff is very knowledgeable in football and have done a great job in creating a family atmosphere, a support system for the players to succeed,” Ross said.

Interested in psychology or criminology, the school’s academics were another reason why Ross plans on spending the next few years in the red, gold and black.

The 6’0, 280lbs product of Kitchener, Ontario, has played the sport for eight years. He has suited up for the Twin City Predators, the Cambridge Lions (OVFL) and the St. Mary’s Eagles (Waterloo County Secondary School Athletic Association). He is a two-time D8 1st-team all-star (2015 and 2016). Last year, he was the Eagles’ defensive MVP and lineman of the year. He also made the 2016 D8 1st-team all-star roster for rugby.

Akash Swaminadhan

It won’t take Ross long to find a familiar face in the Gryphons’ locker room. Long-time teammate, Akash Swaminadhan, will be joining him in the fall. Swaminadhan has played four years with the St. Mary’s Eagles, two with the Grand River Predators (CJFL) and one with the Cambridge Lions.

The potential geography student said he committed to Guelph because it worked both academically and athletically. “I really like the campus as well as the football facilities,” Swaminadhan added.

Also from Kitchener, Ontario, the 6’0, 290lbs defensive tackle was impressed with his future football tutors. “I really like the coaches,” he said. “I went on my visit and they made me feel like (it was) home and it made it easier for me to make the decision.”

In 2016, Swaminadhan was an OVFL champion and a D8 2nd-team all-star.

 Justin Jelacic

CFC100 Justin Jelacic has had a taste of both the defensive and offensive line before turning to the linebacker position. The 6’1, 270lbs athlete has played with the Resurrection Phoenix (WCSSAA) in his hometown of Kitchener, Ontario. In 2014, he won a WCSSAA championship.

Jelacic has also played for the Cambridge Lions (OVFL) where he was a 2015 and 2016 all-star. In 2016, he played on the Team Ontario U17 team at the International Bowl. His house league days were spent with the Kitchener-Waterloo Warhawks (Ontario Football League).

Jacob McDonald
Jacob McDonald has been camping out in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta, where he played high school ball with the Ernest Manning Griffins (Calgary High School Athletic Association). He has also played two seasons with the Calgary Wildcats (Calgary Area Midget Football Association). Standing at 5’8, 190lbs, he has played as a fullback and running back.