No guarantees in Bears’ crowded backfield
You can’t blame Dryden Kalesnikoff for being one of the most excited players taking part in this week’s University of Alberta Golden Bears spring camp at Foote Field.
Having spent three years playing and learning behind Hec Crighton award winner Ed Ilnicki, Kalesnikoff knows the huge opportunity in front of him now with the chance to be the Bears starting running back in 2018.
“I knew what I was getting into when I came to the program. I knew I would have to learn from a guy like Ed Ilnicki. I’ve learned a lot and I’m just trying to carry out what I’ve learned from him and my time in this program,” said Kalesnikoff. “I’ve been patient and I’m so excited to see what I can do next year. At this point, I’m just trying to do the best I can for the sake of the team. Whatever they need me to do, I’m ready for it.”
You can’t replace the impact Ilnicki made on and off the field for the Bears during his incredible fiveyear career, but the future still looks bright in Alberta’s backfield.
Golden Bears head coach Chris Morris has plenty of weapons at his disposal this year. Joining Kalesnikoff in the backfield are the likes of Alex Gayle, who was a redshirt last year, as well as Harry Ainlay star running back Jonathan Rosery, who helped lead the Titans to a provincial title.
“Somebody has to win the job this year. Whoever earns it is going to get it. We’ve had some guys here who’ve been here awhile and have put the work in, and you cheer for those guys but this is an open competition,” said Morris.
Over his illustrious collegiate career, Ilnicki — a seventh-round (62nd overall) draft pick of the Ottawa Redblacks last year, broke the Canada West single-season rushing record with 1,468 rushing yards in 2017. He would finish with 4,145 rushing yards.
For the last five years, Ilnicki cemented himself in the Bears backfield and flourished, but as the team enters next year without him, Kalesnikoff is their most experienced running back with just seven carries and 53 yards under his belt.
But the additions of Gayle and Rosery give the Bears plenty of different looks and options.
Whether one of the running backs separates himself or they start the year with a running back-by-committee approach, Morris likes what all three bring to the table.
“Dryden’s been here, and he’s an explosive dynamic player. Who’s in the lead right now, I’d say Dryden Kalesnikoff is because he’s been our guy and he’s been here, but it’s up to him to earn it,” said Morris. “Jonathan is going to be a special player. He’s physical like Ed, but he’s niftier than Ed. When Jonathan is here for a few years and he puts on the weight and gets stronger, there’s going to be something there.
“Alex Gayle is a physical back who runs really well and Dryden is shiftier, but he’s real physical. They’ll all have their own identity as players. We’ll see what kind of book they write for themselves.”
Rosery is a dynamic running back who has top-end speed. He had an impressive spring camp and is setting himself up to be in a position to be an impact player as a rookie in the fall.
“Coming in as a rookie, I know I will have to work so much harder. I want to find anyway I can to help impact the program and I want the coaches to know that they can depend on me if anyone gets hurt,” said Rosery, who rushed for 568 yards on just 42 carries for Harry Ainlay last year. “The change of speed of the game is what I’m having to adjust too. In high school, I could run around anybody, but here there are guys that are just as fast as me, stronger than me, so I have to adapt to that.
“I feel if I keep on training and continue to go to the summer workouts and soak in everything the veterans and the coaches tell me, I know I can be that guy for the Bears, but my biggest focus is finding a way to make an impact any way I can.”