1.)  ARE THERE ANY MOMENTS THAT STOOD OUT OR YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT PLAYING YOUR MINOR FOOTBALL IN TORONTO AND BEING A JR. ARGO?
A: My most memorable moment was my last year playing with the Jr Argos. I went to the head coach before the season and told him I wanted to use this summer to get focused and train for University training camp. I had also mentioned if I came back, I wanted to WIN the championship and beat the Burlington Stampeders. Coach Carlo said trust me Josh we will. It sticks with me forever because coach Carlo was right, and the path to get there was unforgettable. Every game coming to the very end, whether it be a late game touchdown or late game stop on defence it was just a great season.  We went to the championship faced off against Burlington, though we lost, that opportunity to compete with the best was amazing.

2.)  WHO WERE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES GROWING UP?
A: My parents. They have always supported me and my football career and I made it to as far as I did with their unconditional support and guidance through the way. Through the hard times and good times, they were always my inspiration on and off the field.

3.)  DID YOU PLAY ANY OTHER SPORTS OTHER THAN FOOTBALL IN HS OR DURING YOUR YOUTH?  HOW IMPORTANT WERE THEY TO YOUR OVERALL DEVELOPMENT AS AN ATHLETE?
A: Most summers I would play basketball with my friends. It helped a lot with cardio and change of direction movements. It paid off when my first year at UW training camp, we had a screen to the strong side of the field and I was playing Weak-side anchor and I hustled my way down the field to chase down the ball carrier. So, I would advise all young athletes to play all kinds of different types of sports while they are young and while they can.

4.) HOW IMPORTANT WAS SUMMER FOOTBALL TO YOUR DEVELOPMENT AS A FOOTBALL PLAYER?
A: I would say the competitive aspect of it was fun! We always saw it as the "all star teams", we would have the best in Toronto going up the best in Barrie, London, Burlington, Hamilton and etc.. We always said if you want to play with the best you got to beat the best teams and the OFC at the time was very competitive.  My craft to add on to what I previously said, with playing the best you have to ensure you are working your craft daily and studying film against your opponent.

5.)  TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS WAS LIKE? WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU DID THAT YOU FELT PUT YOU IN THE BEST POSITION TO SUCCEED?
A: For me, I felt I could have been situated anywhere, my thing was primarily family fit.  My university decision was based off family comfort and how I would feel mentally talking to a variety of schools.  I felt at home with Waterloo.  Also it was only an hour and half from home so that was not too bad. Coach Bert had high expectation of me coming in right away and making an impact on the DLine and help turn the program around. Coach Nial Both (at the time) spoke to my father like he knew him for many years and for me, my parents looked genuinely happy with the staff so it was the right fit for me.

6.)  WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OUR PLAYERS NOW WHO ARE TRYING TO GET RECRUITED? KNOWING WHAT YOU LEARNED THROUGHOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE.
A:  Take your time, Trust your gut. Be happy for with your decision. Do not commit to a top end school if you are not happy with the fit, do not follow friends or trends. Make sure the scheme is right, and your play style fits what is being asked of you. Most importantly talk to an advisor in the field of the study you want to get into. University is not cheap so it's an investment you want to make sure you are going to be happy in what you are taking. Stay overnight at the University and get a feel of the community lifestyle if you believe it is a good fit then do so. Base your decision off academically, athletically, and socially.

Be sure to ask as many questions as you need to.

7.) WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST ADJUSTMENT GOING FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO UNIVERSITY? BOTH ON THE FIELD AND OFF.
A: On the field was the in week by week preparation. I played at a prep school in the states so I had a bit of the week to week prep but university is so different. You are preparing against CFL combine guys in year 1. Guys who watch you for countless hours. It was a shock seeing guys my first year 6'5 and up, knowing exactly what I was going to do.  How you prepare for your opponent week by week may not be the same.  Watching film, getting on the practice field and working on new moves is stuff I did to help me from my second year to fourth.

Off the field was time management. I had terrible school habits. I never wanted extra help.  The time slots that were afforded to me to do homework I did it, but homework and university school work is totally different. I had to get a calendar. Allocate time before and after practice to do school work, time for lifting, time to watch film and then socialize. Budget your time wisely or you will find yourself behind really quick.

8.) WHAT WAS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING TIME WHERE YOU WERE FACED WITH ADVERSITY EITHER ON OR OFF THE FIELD IN YOUR COLLEGIATE CAREER?
A:  I will give two stories:
My first year we were playing MAC, the O.G. Zach Intzandt worked me all game.  Pancake after pancake.  Pushing me 3-5 yards downfield. For me, I went home that night all emotional and frustrated to see the film for the Sunday film breakdown. From that Sunday on is when I knew I had to either quit football or start preparing like a professional. That is when I began watching film of our opponents and made a name for myself in the locker room and fought hard to become a well-respected football player in the OUA football community.

Second story, my last year, I told my family no matter what I will not miss a game this season I want to win it all. I want to prove I am a great player in this league. Week 1 went by big win versus UofT was named player of the game, was relentless in getting in the backfield. During the week prep of Windsor, I rolled my ankle in practice. Ankle was swollen could not walk on it. I was very emotional and nervous of the outcome. We were only afforded 47 dress guys and the coaches said they wanted to know my status. I told them I am playing! I had to do some workouts on the field prior to game time but I showed I could. I get the opportunity to go in, though feeling very restricted and nervous to lateral movements I was able to make two big plays in the game. Though fast forwarding to the ending of the third I got pushed in my back and landed wrong. I used my hands to stop my fall but my left ring finger got the worst of it (finding out at the ending of the season it was two torn ligaments and arthritis in my finger). I knew it was wrong and it would require surgery but I got therapy when I could and played through the remainder of the season.

October 31st my grandpa passes away. I went back home emotional with my family not knowing what I was going to do, play or not play. Half of me was saying go home and be with my family but the other was saying do it for him and be great! I went to the game.

In a short recap, this year was a lot battling through injuries, death and school every time I fell down, I was able to stand up and keep going!

9.) YOU PARTICIPATED IN THE 2020 CFL REGIONAL COMBINE, WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM THAT EXPERIENCE.
A: It was a humbling experience that I got to be a part of. It was a great opportunity.  I got to compete against the best in Ontario, it was fun! I felt my recorded numbers were not ideally how I envisioned them to go but with 6 weeks of combine prep (due to surgery) but the individually drills and OL v DL went perfectly. I am happy for all those who went to the Ontario Regional and are now in the CFL.  Thankful I got the opportunity.

To young and upcoming guys take that moment and relish it, do not waste any day, work your craft and train.

10.) YOU RECENTLY STARTED DREAM ACADEMY, AN OFF-SEASON TRAINING PROGRAM/7 ON 7 TEAM WITH OTHER JR ARGO ALUMNI IN LAMAR FOYLE, DASHAWN STEPHENS AND YOUR BROTHER DAVID. TELL US ABOUT WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO DO THIS AND WHAT YOU’RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.
A: The motivation to start this project was for at risk youth in Etobicoke. We see the crime rates increasing in Toronto and I felt I had platform to mentor and help young athletes grow and aspire to become something through football, like I did.
We are trying to create opportunities to help young athletes mature and learn fundamental traits like discipline, balance, respect and instill it upon these young athletes and have them use it in their everyday life.
On the football aspect we want to train young athletes and compete in 7v7 tournaments eventually across Canada and then soon to the states.
It is a big community movement and we aim to inspire and create greatness for everyone!

11) IF ANY OF OUR PLAYERS ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING OR TRYING OUT FOR YOUR TEAM, HOW CAN THEY GET IN CONTACT WITH YOU?
A:  You can reach out to us on social media!
Instagram: @dreamacademy.canada
Twitter: @_Dream_Academy

12.) WITH THE MAJORITY OF TACKLE FOOTBALL BEING CANCELLED AT ALL LEVELS WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE PLAYERS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THIS RIGHT NOW?
A: Stay active. Do not get complacent and if football is what you want, keep going and do not stop!

13.) KNOWING WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING, TO YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A: Never settle. Always want more.  No days off!

14.) WHAT DOES LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
A: I am hoping to be at a school and become a guidance counsellor and high school football coach. I want to continue to help youth in the GTA with football and in life. Serving as a coach and guidance counsellor I will be afforded to help young student-athletes on and off the field.


Interview conducted by Lawrence Hopper