Dynamic offensive players poised to lead young Clan

BURNABY, BC – BURNABY, BC – The Simon Fraser University football team is set to open training camp with one of its youngest teams in recent memory. Fifty-three of the 71 student-athletes that will gather on Terry Fox Field Saturday for the start of camp will be in their first or second years.

Head coach Kelly Bates is hoping his young group can learn quickly.

“Our athletes are enjoying the process much more because they now understand the journey we are on with respect to building this team and this program,” said Bates. “They play the most important part in that process and they are taking ownership of it. Based on our recruiting classes, we are headed in the right direction.”

Bates now has two full recruiting seasons under his belt and he is excited to see the growth in his young group. How quickly they can learn and develop to be competitive in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference remains to be seen.

“It is important that we win on a day-by-day basis as that is what will improve this program,” said Bates. “We continue to build our culture into a program that can be competitive.”

Simon Fraser is winless in two straight seasons under Bates but this year has skillful players at running back and receiver that should make games fun to watch.

Bates, who will be calling all of the plays on offence this season after the departure of Offensive Coordinator Joe Paopao, plans to get the ball in the hands of his skill players as quickly, and as often, as he can. That means teams will see a lot of junior running back Jalen Jana, a GNAC All-Conference Second Team a year ago, who averaged 5 yards per carry and had one monster game running for 262 yards on 29 rushes against Humboldt State.

Jana is dangerous whenever he touches the ball, catching 30 passes and averaging 4.3 yards per catch.

“Run or pass Jalen has to be a big part of what we do,” said Bates. “He’s a tremendous athlete with a great football IQ.”

Bates also expects to get contributions in the backfield from juniors Nathan Kyeame and Dionte Simon, freshman NCAA D1 transfer Dionte Simon, and 6-5, 240-pound freshman Christian Phillips, all anxious to make a mark.

The receiving corps is deep and talented, led by explosive senior Justin Buren, who caught 47 passes and one touchdown a year ago. He averaged 13.4 yards per catch last season. Two years ago, in a breakout sophomore season, Buren averaged 71 yards a game receiving.

“Justin is our leader on and off the field,” said Bates. “He approaches life with the demeanor of a professional and applies that to all facets of his life.”

Behind Buren are three sophomores — Gavin Cobb, Nathanael Durkan and Rysen John — who will be counted upon to provide more offence. Cobb led the way amongst the trio with 32 catches and was the Clan’s primary return man. “All three players have different skills sets and have the ability to impact the game on any play. They have now had a year to grow physically and mentally within the game of football and we look forward to watching their progress,” said Bates.

Getting the ball into the hands of the skill players falls to senior QB Miles Richardson, who returns for his second season and will be directing a simplified offence. Last season was up-and-down for Richardson who threw 4 touchdowns but 18 interceptions. Bates believes he’s poised to have a breakthrough season.

“Miles has re-committed himself to the game and we are going to put him in a position to use his athleticism,” he said. “We must use his strengths and enable him to play to his potential.”

The Clan lost four starters off its offensive line but Bates will have 14 offensive linemen in camp. They will be a raw group, hoping to improve quickly. “While we are building depth we are already testing it, but that can be the nature of college football,” said Bates.

The big holes to fill on the defensive side are at linebacker, where Jordan and Justin Herdman played. Both players are now in the CFL, and Bates says it’s impossible to replace their leadership, tackles and impact on games.

Seniors Trevor Kemp and Jordan Leech, and junior coverage back Gabe Lopes are expected to play a lot, and they will be pushed by freshman Jakob Mozill. Kemp and Lopes both had 47 tackles last season playing mainly behind the Herdmans. Kemp also had three forced fumbles.

The defensive line is a year bigger and stronger and will be led by returning junior starters Kyle Wilson and Brad Lyons. Wilson was All-GNAC Second Team and Lyons Honourable Mention, both with 5.5 sacks each and 13.5 tackles for a loss. In addition, defensive lineman Rey Arcega, who missed last year to injury, returns for his senior season.

In the secondary, junior Jaryn Bailey will enter his second season starting at corner and sophomore Adam Turrin, who played well in spring ball, is penciled in at the other corner. Junior Ben Minaker will once again start at strong safety while Brendan Lowry steps in as the starting free safety.

Simon Fraser will kick-off their season on Sat., Sept. 2, traveling to Arizona Christian for a non-conference contest that begins at 7PM. The Clan plays at home on Sept. 9 on Terry Fox Field beginning at 1:00 pm. Five game season ticket packages for 2017 are available for $45.00 by emailing [email protected].

Simon Fraser returns to the Burnaby Mountain campus for all five of its home games during the 2017 season. The University announced plans to build the first phase of the student-led stadium project, which will see covered stadium seating built into the hillside at Terry Fox Field by April 2020 through a $10-million contribution from SFU students.

Source: SFU Clan Athletics