HUSKIES ANNOUNCE 23 FOOTBALL RECRUITS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENTIRE LIST AND 2 HILITE FILMS OF JANKE & JACKINS

University of Saskatchewan Huskie football head coach Brian Towriss announced 23 new faces to the squad for the 2010 season Thursday at the 10th Annual Dogs Breakfast.

The 23 additions to the lineup are some of the best players in the province and Western Canada coming out of the junior football and high school ranks. The players are just some of those that the team is looking to get into a Huskie uniform for the 2010 season.

“We have an expectation each year to play and win the Vanier Cup and these athletes will play a part in that,” said Towriss. “We look forward to seeing what each of these players can do in the green and white. They will all have an impact one way or another.”

Joining the Huskies after spending time with the Saskatoon Hilltops in the Prairie Junior Football League is receiver Mitch Stevens, cornerback Gregg Woytowich and defensive end Jon DeWitt. Stevens finished the 2009 season with 34 receptions on 524 yards and five touchdowns. In five games in 2009 before knee surgery, DeWitt tallied 24 tackles and three sacks. In 2007, Woytowich was handed the Paul Kirk Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Defensive Player in the Canadian Bowl.

Ben Rush will also suit up for the green & white after playing junior football with the Calgary Colts. Rush is familiar with the Huskies after watching brother Lyndon, a former Canada West All-Star, play with the team from 1999-2003.

“Former junior football players enter with experience that allows them to step right on the field and make a difference,” said Towriss. “All of these guys have that.”

Six recruits from Alberta, one from B.C., one from Ontario and another from the United States were also announced. Line backer Dane Bishop, quarterback Jahlani Gilbert Knorren, tailback Dexter Janke and line backer Ronald Mwamba all join the Huskies from Edmonton high schools. Bishop is considered one of the best defensive players in Alberta and captained Team Alberta in 2009. Mwamba and Janke both hail from Austin O’Brien High School. Janke was the leading rusher in Edmonton High School football and was also named the conference MVP.

Other Alberta recruits are Calgary’s Brennan Stephen, a Spruce Grove receiver James Jackins and Lloydminister receiver Reid Coleman. Stephen will bring size to the offensive line standing at 6-4 and 290 pounds.

Speedster running back/return specialist Armand Bokitch from Kelowna, B.C., slot back from Sudbury, Ont., Josh Haslam, and 5A conference all-star at linebacker from Reno, Nevada John Malcolm Junior were also announced.

“These are some of the best athletes we have been watching for a while,” said Towriss. “They all had strong seasons, garnering them big praise. We can’t wait to see what they can do for us.”

Eight Saskatchewan high school products joining the Huskies include Saskatoon’s Kent Walters, Humboldt’s Adam Schwinghamer, Yorkton’s Logan Wilk, Moose Jaw’s Josh Huschi and Regina’s Mike King, Adam Ralko and Jeremy Andrew.

Walters, a safety at 6-1, won the 4A High School Championship with the Aden Bowman Bears. Defensive back/return specialist King and receiver Ralko both played at Dr. Martin LeBoldus High School in Regina. Huschi quarterbacked the Moose Jaw Peacok Torandos to the 3A Provincial Final.

“Winning a provincial championship is tough in Saskatchewan and most of these players come in with big game experience,” said Towriss.

Schwinghamer played nine-man football with Humboldt Collegiate, Andrew was a running back wit the Sheldon Williams Colliegate Spartans. Yorkton Comprehensive High School graduate Wilk, like Stephen, will bring size to the offensive line standing at 6-4 and 320 pounds.

Although not announced at Dogs Breakfast, Owen Geier and Dale Furber will suit up in the green & white after playing in the Canada West with the Simon Fraser University Clan. Both played in the 2008 Hardy Cup Final and will bring CIS experience to the Huskies roster.

All recruits will work with the team during 2010 Spring Camp at Griffiths Stadium.

Recruits announced:

Jeremy Andrew – Regina’s Sheldon Williams Collegiate; Running Back
Dane Bishop – Edmonton’s Bev Facey High School; Line Backer
Armand Bokitch – Kelowna; Running Back, Return Specialist
Reid Coleman – Lloydminster’s Holy Rosary High School; Receiver
Jon DeWitt – Saskatoon Hilltops; Defensive End
Owen Geier – Simon Fraser University Clan; Wide Receiver
Jahlani Gilbert Knorren – Edmonton’s Harry Ainley High School; Quarterback
Dale Furber – Simon Fraser University Clan; Offensive Lineman
Josh Haslam – Sudbury; Slot Back
Josh Huschi – Moose Jaw Peacock High School; Quarterback
James Jackins – Spruce Grove’s Parkland Predators; Receiver
Dexter Janke – Edmonton’s Austin O’Brien High School; Tailback
Mike King – Regina’s Dr. Martin Leboldus High School; Defensive Back, Return Specialist
John Malcolm Jr – Reno, Nevada; Line Backer
Ronald Mwamba – Edmonton’s Austin O’Brien High School; Line Backer
Adam Ralko – Regina’s Dr. Martin Leboldus High School; Receiver
Ben Rush – Calgary Colts; Defensive End
Adam Schwinghamer – Humboldt Collegiate; Defensive Back
Brennan Stephen – Calgary’s Henry Wisewood High School; Offensive Lineman
Mitch Stevens – Saskatoon Hilltops; Receiver
Kent Walters – Aden Bowman High School; Safety
Logan Wilk – Yorkton Comprehensive High School; Offensive Lineman
Gregg Woytowich – Saskatoon Hilltops; Cornerback

Source: [URL]http://huskies.usask.ca/news/2010/April/2010-4-29-fbrecruits/