Defensive back Charlie Ringland makes a tackle during a game this season. (Josh Schaefer/Huskie Athletics/GetMyPhoto.ca)
Pro Opportunity

Four Huskies to play in U Sports top prospects game

Apr 13, 2022 | 3:03 PM

It’s not often as a collegiate football player you get the opportunity to showcase your skills in front of multiple professional football scouts.

But for four University of Saskatchewan football players, they will get their chance during the U Sports East-West Bowl on May 7 at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont. The game is meant for the top USports prospects to show what they can do in front of team scouts and get on their radar ahead of the future CFL draft.

Four Huskies; defensive back Charlie Ringland, running back Josh Ewanchyna, wide receiver Daniel Perry and defensive lineman Connor Delahey, will all play in the game representing the West. This is the first time the match will take place in two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ringland told huskieFAN it’s a big opportunity for him and his teammates.

“You always know there’s scouts watching the games, but I think there’s never this many. It sounds like lots of CFL teams send their scouts to these games so it’s pretty exciting and I think it’ll be good to showcase my skill,” Ringland said.

Last year, he added he got invited to participate in the bowl game, but it got cancelled due to the pandemic and is looking forward to his second chance to play with some of the country’s best. He is also appreciative of having three of his teammates on his side.

“It will be nice to have a little bit of familiarity when you’re walking around campus and a field you’ve never really been on, so it’ll be nice to have some of my friends out there with me,” Ringland said.

Since he started playing football, he said it has always been a goal of his to play professional football.

“I’ve felt like I’ve always had good enough skills to put me in positions to do that, so I think I just got to keep working hard and hopefully everything goes right for me.”

Head coach of the Huskies Scott Flory said four of his players playing in the game really speaks to their talent and explained he put their names forward because they all can and should be looked at the opportunity to play professional football.

“From a program standpoint obviously we’re really proud of those guys and want to give them the best opportunity to develop and further their game here and give them the opportunity to be able to showcase their talent. And if they can play beyond and play professional football, that’s great for them and we’re super proud and want to do everything to help and support them,” Flory said.

He explained although it is a great opportunity for them, it is not the be all and end all for their football careers.

“But I know for these guys, they’re going to want to showcase themselves and put CFL teams on notice and to say, ‘hey, listen, you know I’m going to have a good year, watch me,’” he said. “And just so they can make sure that they’re studying and getting as much information on these perspective draft picks as possible,” Flory said.

When asked what advice he’s given his players heading into the game, he said it’s important to understand the opportunity and to be in the moment. He laid out the week and what to expect, however, Flory said it’s something you don’t know until you’re there and experience it.

“But it is a heck of an experience and when you get kind of these bigger moments in your life, you’ve got to be able to rise up to it and don’t succumb to it and just enjoy it. I tell these guys just put a smile on your face and go have some fun, and these guys I know that they’re going to enjoy it and love being a part of the game and really enjoy everything that goes into it.”

Tickets for the game are $15 and can be purchased on the McMaster University website. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.

Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12

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