The McMaster football program unveiled its 2018 recruiting class Sunday at an orientation event alongside spring camp, adding 48 new members ahead of the fall season.
After spending the past year scouring the country for the best student-athletes available, Head Coach Greg Knox and his coaching staff have brought together a class that includes 12 local recruits from the Golden Horseshoe area, 18 out-of-province players, 12 junior players, five transfers from OUA and NCAA schools and two players from the Quebec CEGEP system.
McMaster’s second large recruiting class in as many years was necessitated, Knox says, by another extensive loss of starters through graduation. After losing 14 members of their starting group following the 2016 season, the Marauders lost 12 from 2017’s group.
“The current number of upperclassmen contributing on the roster is very low ā by adding a number of junior players and transfers with varying eligibility remaining we have positively impacted the age and maturity of our roster overall, Ā made strides to normalize our upperclassman numbers, and add some much-needed depth to our roster,” says the coach.
Losses will be felt especially on defence, where only five junior or senior players return in 2018, but Knox believes the combination of the growth of younger returnees in the offseason — and the additions made through recruiting — will stand McMaster in good stead in the fall.
“We are obviously a very young group,” he says. “But I am encouraged by the progress of our returning players, and am confident this year’s group of newcomers is especially strong. We have taken the necessary steps Ā to add maturity, size, speed and strength across the board.”
Additions from the junior football ranks and through transfers were designed to add experience to an otherwise young group, while the returning members have been dedicated to physical improvement in the offseason.
“Fact is, we needed to mature and get bigger, stronger and faster as a team this off-season,” says Knox. “We have taken significant steps to do that by focusing on these needs in recruiting and by focusing on our training efforts with our current roster. Both of these steps are progressing extremely well.”
“Our returning players are working hard Ā in our off-season program and I am happy with their progress so far.”
Knox is hopeful that 2018’s additions — his second large class in as many years — will stabilize McMaster’s group moving forward and enable his staff to focus on specific areas of need and a smaller recruiting class in 2019.
“This is our second year of large recruiting classes, but I do not expect it to be the norm moving forward,” he says. “With a class of this size and age distribution, combined with the development of our current players, we expect to see a significantly different picture in 2019, where we ĀĀĀĀexpect to bring in a much smaller recruiting class.”
With the first week of spring camp behind them, the Marauders break for exam period before resuming a second week of spring camp on April 27.
McMaster will enter main camp in August, ahead of their home and season opening contest against the Guelph Gryphons at Ron Joyce Stadium on Sunday, August 26.
2018 McMaster Football Recruiting Class – Alphabetical
| Name | Ht. | Wt. | Pos. | Hometown | Last Team |
| Hayden Amis | 6’4 | 220 | TE | Cambridge, Ont. | London Beefeaters (CJFL) |
| Chase Arseneau | 6’4 | 255 | TE | Huntington Beach, Calif. | Golden West College |
| Paul Battilana | 6’2 | 275 | OL | Hamilton, Ont. | Cardinal Newman |
| Mateo Bevilacqua | 6’1 | 250 | FB | Hamilton, Ont. | St. Thomas More |
| Dawlson Bourdages | 6’5 | 285 | DL | Hamilton, Ont. | Sir Allan McNab |
| Jacob Bradley | 6’5 | 275 | OL | Cambridge, Ont. | Jacob Hespeler |
| James Bradley | 6’3 | 300 | DL | Saanich, B.C. | Westshore Rebels(CJFL) |
| Mason Brown | 6’0 | 190 | DB | Winnipeg, Man. | Westshore Rebels(CJFL) |
| Eryk Bujalski | 5’11 | 220 | LB | Winnipeg, Man. | Vincent Massey Collegiate |
| Michael Capizzano | 5’10 | 190 | ATH | Etobicoke, Ont. | Richview |
| Mike Cheevers | 6’2 | 220 | LB | London, Ont. | Saint Thomas Aquinas |
| Ben Chombe | 6’1 | 190 | DB | Ottawa, Ont. | Episcopal HS (VA) |
| Cody Crossett | 6’0 | 180 | K/P | Metcalfe, Ont. | Ottawa Sooners |
| Josh Cumber | 5’9 | 170 | DB | Cambridge, Ont. | Saint Benedict |
| Brad Currell | 6’4 | 305 | OL | Niagara Falls, Ont. | Canisius HS |
| Marly Delcy | 6’1 | 200 | DB | Winnipeg, Man. | Westshore Rebels(CJFL) |
| Drew Freake | 6’1 | 190 | QB | Kingston, Ont. | Holy Cross |
| Emile Grenier | 6’1 | 210 | ATH | Otterburn Park, Que. | Cegep Saint-Hyacinthe |
| Michael Hampton | 6’4 | 255 | OL | Surrey, B.C. | Lord Tweedsmuir SS |
| Eli Haynes | 6’1 | 225 | LB | Kelowna, B.C. | Okanagan Sun (CJFL) |
| Dillon Hillier | 6’2 | 195 | DB | Cambridge, Ont. | Preston High School |
| Cole Klughart | 6’3 | 250 | DL | Saskatoon, Sask. | Okanagan Sun(CJFL) |
| Matt Krason | 6’4 | 220 | QB | Brantford, Ont. | York University |
| Nathan Kyeame | 6’0 | 200 | RB | Markham, Ont. | Simon Fraser |
| Ludovick Lacasse | 6’1 | 300 | OL | Saint-Hyacinthe, Que. | Cegep Saint-Hyacinthe |
| Ryan Leder | 6’2 | 225 | LB | Hamilton, Ont. | St. Thomas More |
| Mitch Lyons | 6’0 | 260 | DL | Saskatoon, Sask. | Okanagan Sun(CJFL) |
| Eric Maslen | 6’2 | 315 | OL | Vancouver, B.C. | VI Raiders (CJFL) |
| Jacob Mason | 6’2 | 215 | RB | Burlington, Ont. | Assumption Catholic SS |
| Ryan More | 6’4 | 195 | WR | London, Ont. | A.B. Lucas |
| Connor Murney | 6’2 | 225 | LB | Peterborough, Ont. | Crestwood SS |
| Nick Myke | 6’1 | 200 | ATH | Hamilton, Ont. | Westmount SS |
| Tolu Ojo | 6’0 | 225 | RB | Calgary, Alta. | Bert Church |
| Branislav Orescanin | 6’2 | 250 | DL | Toronto, Ont. | Richview |
| Callum Oxley | 6’3 | 195 | WR | Vancouver, B.C. | Eric Hambre |
| Levi Paul | 6’2 | 200 | WR | Moose Jaw, Sask. | Regina Thunder |
| Josh Perez | 6’2 | 215 | WR | Mississauga, Ont. | Wilfrid Laurier University |
| Jake Porter | 6’1 | 195 | ATH | Welland, Ont. | Notre Dame CS |
| Liam Putt | 6’1 | 200 | QB | Caledonia, Ont. | Wilfrid Laurier University |
| Bryce Scarrow | 6’2 | 205 | WR | Waterloo, Ont. | Waterloo CI |
| Nana Yaw Serbeh | 6’0 | 185 | DB | Ottawa, Ont. | Ottawa Sooners |
| Yiannis Spetsakis | 6’4 | 220 | LB | Toronto, Ont. | St. Andrews |
| Daniel Stefanyk | 6’2 | 225 | DL | Newmarket, Ont. | Huron Heights |
| Bennett Thompson | 6’3 | 225 | TE | Airdrie, Alta. | Calgary Colts(CJFL) |
| Curtis Vincent | 6’2 | 215 | ATH | Brantford, Ont. | Assumption College |
| Ethan Weber | 6’4 | 260 | OL | Hamilton, Ont. | Bishop Tonnos Catholic SS |
| Zach Wilson Jr. | 6’3 | 270 | DL | Ajax, Ont. | Pickering HS |
| Jesse Zajaros | 6’1 | 220 | LB | Winnipeg, Man. | Kamloops Broncos(CJFL) |
Recruit Details (by Position)
Quarterbacks
Drew Freake
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’1
Weight: 190
Hometown: Kingston, Ont.
School: Holy Cross
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10148226/5a1599fe19a5e108dc5baefb
Matt Krason
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’4
Weight: 220
Hometown: Brantford, Ont.
School: North Park (York University)
Highlight Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOuJP6iJxk0
Liam Putt
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’1
Weight: 200
Hometown: Caledonia, Ont.
School: Brantford Assumption (Wilfrid Laurier University)
Highlight Video: Ā https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4671991/5721c1d764e96b638009363e
Running/Fullbacks
Nathan Kyeame
Position: Running Back
Height: 6’0
Weight: 200
Hometown: Markham, Ont.
School: Proctor Academy (Simon Fraser University)
Highlight video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3210068/5721c002041ddc1b0054694e
Jacob Mason
Position: Running Back
Height: 6’1
Weight: 215
Hometown: Burlington, Ont.
School: Burlington Assumption
Highlight video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkbrVIzBnr0
Tolo Ojo
Position: Running Back
Height: 6’0
Weight: 225
Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
School: Bert Church
Highlight video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5192250/5721cef0dfe23b2d68b41ff1
Mateo Bevilacqua
Position: Fullback
Height: 6’1
Weight: 250
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.
School: St. Thomas More
Receiver
Michael Capizzano
Position: Athlete
Height: 5’10
Weight: 190
Hometown: Etobicoke, Ont.
School: Richview Collegiate Institute
Highlight video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9338247/5a369526c119d70ab485f672
Emile Grenier
Position: Athlete
Height: 6’1
Weight: 210
Hometown: Otterburn Park, Que.
School: CEGEP Saint-Hyacinthe
Highlight video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4011738/59b8b1194deb6f228c746fcd
Ryan More
Position: Receiver
Height: 6’4
Weight: 195
Hometown: London, Ont.
School: A.B. Lucas SS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5097138/59de3d7f5b3e160da4bbbf9c
Callum Oxley
Position: Receiver
Height: 6’3
Weight: 195
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.
School: Eric Hambre Griffins
Highlight Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELZJCiNfcQE&feature=youtu.be
Levi Paul
Position: Receiver
Height: 6’2
Weight: 200
Hometown: Moose Jaw, Sask.
School: Regina Thunder (CJFL) /A.E. Peacock Collegiate
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5265250/59f29c0cbd6ace25945e21c0
Josh Perez
Position: Receiver
Height: 6’2
Weight: 215
Hometown: Mississauga, Ont.
School: Lorne Park SS (Wilfrid Laurier University)
Highlight Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n4jjpAV2cw
Bryce Scarrow
Position: Receiver
Height: 6’2
Weight: 205
Hometown: Waterloo, Ont.
School: Waterloo CI
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5307366/5985d9d75b3cd921cc3ca884
Curtis Vincent
Position: Athlete
Height: 6’2
Weight: 215
Hometown: Brantford, Ont.
School: Assumption College
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9427485/5a0a60683453c70ed895ef25
Tight Ends
Hayden Amis
Position: Receiver/Tight End
Height: 6’4
Weight: 220
Hometown: Cambridge, Ont.
School: Southwood Secondary
Highlight video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9718793/59f79e210dbfcb048c52c165
Bennett Thomson
Position: Tight End
Height: 6’3
Weight: 225
Hometown: Airdrie, Alta.
School: Calgary Colts(CJFL)/George McDougall HS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/1324855/59bf576fb3c81e0ee0dc5785
Chase Arseneau
Position: TE
Height: 6’4
Weight: 255
Hometown: Huntington Beach, California
School: Golden West College
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9496644/5a0c8f21f327550544ad6db0
Offensive Linemen
Paul Battilana
Position: Offensive Linemen
Height: 6’2
Weight: 275
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.
School: Cardinal Newman
Highlight Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDfGfq7qpQw&feature=share
Jacob Bradley
Position: Offensive Linemen
Height: 6’5
Weight: 275
Hometown: Cambridge, Ont.
School: Jacob Hespeler SS
Brad Currell
Position: Offensive Linemen
Height: 6’4
Weight: 305
Hometown: Niagara Falls, Ont.
School: Canisius HS (NY)
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7791120/59c11fa2b0195f11a0e57397
Michael Hampton
Position: Offensive Linemen
Height: 6’5
Weight: 260
Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
School: Lord Tweedsmuir SS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3331888/5a20d709f560450c54d69a1c
Ludovick Lacasse
Position: Offensive Linemen
Height: 6’1
Weight: 300
Hometown: Saint-Hyacinthe, Que.
School: Cegep Saint-Hyacinthe
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3799597/5a1de90eb53f960c94e49b68
Eric Maslen
Position: Offensive Linemen
Height: 6’2
Weight: 315
Hometown: Ladysmith, B.C.
School: Vancouver Island raiders(CJFL)/Chemainus SS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4037645/58b20baf041d6c11749f2143
Ethan Weber
Position: Offensive Linemen
Height: 6’4
Weight: 260
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.
School: Bishop Tonnos Catholic SS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8372976/5a0a2b13ff0bc80ff8cffe27
Defensive Back
Marcus Brown
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6’0
Weight: 190
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
School: Westshore Rebels (CJFL)/Garden City Collegiate
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3179243/59b6ff230c54332154fc8b1c
Ben Chombe
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6’1
Weight: 190
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
School: Episcopal HS (Alexandria, VA)
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8219284/5a0a7904a0181c08d48f35a8
Josh Cumber
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5’9
Weight: 170
Hometown: Cambridge, Ont.
School: Saint Benedict
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7686372/59ad8a6e688ec60dc4b13520
Marly Delcy
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6’1
Weight: 200
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
School: Westshore Rebels (CJFL)
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5493639/58313aabc124de2ef4a227ba
Dylan Hillier
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6’2
Weight: 195
Hometown: Cambridge, Ont.
School: Preston High School
Highlight Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQfgIjLOHFc&feature=youtu.be
Nick Myke
Position: Athlete
Height: 6’1
Weight: 200
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.
School: Westmount SS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8543321/5a145c3732dcee24ac87039e
Jacob Porter
Position: Athlete
Height: 6’1
Weight: 195
Hometown: Welland, Ont.
School: Notre Dame CS
Nana Yaw Serbeh
Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6’0
Weight: 185
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
School: Ottawa Sooners
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7505472/5995faacc119ab225038795b
Defensive Linemen
Branislav Orescanin
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’2
Weight: 250
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.
School: Richview CI
Daniel Stefanyk
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’2
Weight: 225
Hometown: Newmarket, Ont.
School: Huron Heights
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4583213/5a2964df2351bd0ae4f5ded4
Dawlson Bourdages
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’5
Weight: 285
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.
School: Sir Allan McNab
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9399039/5957b275b01a153548103e70
James Bradley
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’3
Weight: 300
Hometown: Saanich, B.C.
School: Westshore Rebels (CJFL)/East Lake HS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/2105840/5721cd7b0428ae20e4c92353
Cole Klughart
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’3
Weight: 250
Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
School: Okanagan Sun (CJFL)/St. Joseph HS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3092811/59eeba7a6898f728a845e4d7
Mitch Lyons
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’0
Weight: 260
Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
School: Okanagan Sun(CJFL) /Bishop James Mahoney HS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9576354/59f642f2ab92f81218145de5
Zach Wilson Jr.
Position: Defensive Lineman
Height: 6’3
Weight: 270
Hometown: Ajax, Ont.
School: Pickering HS
Highlight Video: https://vimeo.com/227186810
Linebackers
Eryk Bujalski
Position: Linebacker
Height: 5’11
Weight: 220
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
School: Vincent Massey Collegiate
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4212713/5a0629959a91200ccc850ff4
Michael Chevers
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’2
Weight: 220
Hometown: London, Ont.
School: Saint Thomas Aquinas SS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6441906/5a109f1796803c0860be6418
Eli Haynes
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’1
Weight: 225
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.
School: Okanagan Sun (CJFL)
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/2098258/59ed584702b1b20d8cce6dba
Ryan Leder
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’2
Weight: 225
Hometown: Hamilton, Ont.
School: St. Thomas More CSS
Connor Murney
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’2
Weight: 225
Hometown: Peterborough, Ont.
School: Crestwood SS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7457991/59c157460c53e6216ca82b05
Yiannis Spetsakis
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’4
Weight: 220
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.
School: St. Andrew’s College
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/profile/8442731/Yiannis-Spetsakis
Jesse Zajaros
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’1
Weight: 220
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
School: Kamloops Broncos(CJFL)/Murdoch McKay
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3068791/59e0097b478d93368436d8e3
Kickers
Cole Crossett
Position: K/P
Height: 6’0
Weight: 185
Hometown: Metcalfe, Ont.
School: Colonel By SS
Highlight Video: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8484694/59a8274f32dc7d2a847d84d7
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