Lancers recruiting loads of talent
The University of Windsor Lancers are trying to put a disappointing football season behind them quickly with a busy off-season of signings.
The Lancers already have 19 new players committed to the program for the 2018 season.
“Usually, at this point, we have maybe three,” Lancers head coach Joe D’Amore said.
“We have the most of anyone in the OUA.”
One of the biggest thus far is defensive end Adam Slikboer, who recently graduated from the Windsor AKO Fratmen.
“That’s a big signing for us,” D’Amore said. “Adam’s probably going to step in from Day One and be a major contributor here.
“That was huge for us because that was a major need for us on (defensive) line. We have to get way better there.”
The six-foot-four, 240-pound Slikboer was the Ontario Football Conference defensive player of the year and a Canadian Junior Football League first-team all-star. He spent time with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats, which is partly why he wants to play university football.
“After I went to Hamilton for that week, it really opened up my eyes,” said the 22-year-old Slikboer, who has two years of eligibility left. “I knew I wasn’t ready to play for those guys. I’m going to take these two years to really hone my skills and get my body right. I’m facing better competition and getting some top-level coaching and it’s going to be a nice experience.”
Joining the Lancers was not automatic for Slikboer. He visited several schools, but it was Lancers defensive coordinator Peter Fraser who convinced him to join the team.
“The program’s structured similarly to what the CFL does,” Slikboer said. “Coach Fraser really brought me to Windsor. He seems like a promising coach and a good guy to learn from.”
D’Amore credits Fraser along with recruiting and special teams coordinator Vince Flamia and graduate assistant Randy Beardy with providing the boost for recruiting.
“They’ve done a great job of getting our name out there,” D’Amore said. “Our attitude here is great. We feel like we’re not far way.
“We want Windsor to be your first choice and we want kids that want to make a difference. Why don’t you come here and make a difference?”
Locally, along with Slikboer, the Lancers have added receiver Greg Ebanks, linebacker/fullback Anthony Gharib and defensive end Zack Susko, who all won an OFSAA Western Bowl title with the Holy Names Knights. Also coming are offensive lineman Craig Barr and kicker Griffin Fenton, from Belle River, and defensive back Tavien French-Robert from Herman.
The club is also set to add six-foot-seven Mississauga receiver Marucs Monticiollo, North Vancouver defensive lineman Phillip Quintana, Belleville fullback Chris Costigan, London quarterback Drew Foster and offensive lineman Tyler Lirette, Ottawa defensive tackle C.J. Wallace, Sarnia defensive end Evan Blakely, Wingham offensive lineman Evan Anseeuw, Waterdown receiver Dylan Wilkins, Tiny Township defensive end Zachariah Willems, Brantford running back David Adeniran and Oshawa offensive lineman Connor Davis.