City of Toronto captivates 3 Varsity Blues commits

Toronto adds two Ontario commits and one out-of-province commit to their Class of 2017.

Running back Caleb Goodfellow from Quinte Secondary School and defensive backs Javen May from Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School and Mak Stephens from Centennial Secondary School will be descending upon a city that has all but enthralled them as they are set to join the University of Toronto Varsity Blues for the upcoming season.

Caleb Goodfellow

Caleb Goodfellow has quite the insider perspective into the Varsity Blues locker room. He said he committed to the school because his older brother Cole is currently playing there. It doesn’t hurt that the school has some sweet scenery.

“I loved the field view,” Goodfellow said. “I (also) liked how the coaches treated me. They are nice, know what they are talking about and are straight up.”

The 5’10, 210lbs future kinesiology student has played for the Quinte Saints (Central Ontario Secondary School Athletics) and the Kingston Grenadiers (OVFL). In 2012, he won a minor ball championship. Two years later, he won a Bay of Quinte championship.

Goodfellow, who is from Roslin, Ontario, which is north-east of Belleville, is forever a student. With the season fast approaching, he said, “I’m just excited to learn more.”

Javen May

Javen May makes the tackle. Courtesy of Javen May.

Like many aspiring football players, Javen May’s goal is to play professional football in either the NFL or CFL. But, first and foremost, he wants to complete a computer science degree. He said he chose Toronto partly for their “great computer science program.”

Planning for a future post-football is no easy task, especially when the sport has encompassed almost your entire life. Having played for nine years and counting, May isn’t ready to hang up the cleats anytime soon.

“I chose Toronto for the great coaching staff that they have brought in this off-season, their focus on winning, the great mentors I’d be able to learn from and their facilities that would aid me in reaching my potential,” May said.

And who are these great mentors May mentioned? While, the players and coaches. “The university’s coaching staff is a team of winners,” he said. “The staff is also run by an honest and passionate coach in Coach Gary. I also felt comfortable and welcomed by all the coaches, especially Coach Cappiello, who I met first.”

May added that he has a great relationship with Coach Mulllins despite having only met him recently. And then there is Coach Gallimore, who May said has been in his athletic life since he was young.

“We share a great relationship and he is an insanely huge piece in my commitment, let alone recruitment, by Toronto,” May said.

Originally from Toronto, Ontario, May didn’t overlook the chance to play close to home. “It’s the city I was born and raised in at a young age before moving throughout the GTA and eventually to Milton, where I am now,” he said. “It is close to family, thus allowing my family to see my home games.”

The 5’11, 175lbs cornerback has played with the Mississauga Warriors (OVFL), the Bishop Reding Royals (Halton Secondary School Athletic Association), the Jean Vanier Knights (HSSAA) and the North Halton Crimson Tide (Ontario Football Association). He has also played 7v7 Pylon football with IDFFL. He is a 2016 defensive MVP and Pay Daly award recipient. While maintaining honour roll throughout high school, he graduated as an Ontario Scholar. In 2015, he won a Jean Vanier Student Council Academic Excellence Award.

To get primed for the upcoming U Sports season, May is currently training with Shea Pierre of Pierre’s Elite Performance. Along with the University of Toronto, his top schools where UBC, Queen’s and a few NCAA schools.

In the end, his hometown called him back into the fold. May said, “I want to thank God and my family for believing in me and supporting me.”

Mak Stephens
Mak Stephens will have the furthest to travel. He will be trekking in from Coquitlam, BC, where he played high school ball with the Centennial Centaurs (BC Secondary Schools Athletics Association).

“I chose to commit to U of T because of the reputation of the school and I wanted to make a difference with the varsity football team,” Stephens said. “I also love the city of Toronto.”

And the city may one day love him back. The coaches have already done their part to make him feel welcomed. “The coaching staff is very welcoming and genuine. They were the first coaches that called me directly and made me feel important. They are awesome and very knowledgeable about football and coaching,” Stephens said.

Standing at 6’2, 175lbs, Stephens is a multi-sport athlete. He has played four years with the Centennial Centaurs basketball team, also competing with 3D Basketball and the Tri-City Youth Basketball Association. He has also spent four years playing lacrosse with the Coquitlam Minor Lacrosse Association. While he will begin his university career in the humanities, he hopes to switch to commerce.

“I am very thankful to have the opportunity to be a Varsity Blue football player,” Stephens said. “I look forward to making a difference on the team.”

Football awards: 2016 AAA Eastern Conference All-Star award, Linebacker (2016)
Big Kahuna, Impact Player from Centennial Secondary School (2016)
MVP, Centennial Secondary School (2015)
MVP, Centennial Secondary School (2014)
Outstanding defensive player, Centennial Secondary School (2013)
BC Provincial Championship, Coquitlam Minor Football (2012)
Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame, Team of the Year, Coquitlam Minor Football (2012)
BC Provincial Championship, Coquitlam Minor Football (2008)

Basketball awards: MVP, Centennial Secondary School (2016)
MVP, Centennial Secondary School (2015)

Lacrosse awards: BC Provincial Championship, A1 (2011)

Other awards: Top Male Athlete of the Year, Centennial Secondary School (2016, 2015, 2014)

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