Football Player Profiles: Matt Sewell, McMaster Marauders

Name: Matt Sewell
University: McMaster
Hometown: Milton, ON
High school: Milton DHS
Position: Offensive Tackle
Academic program: MBA
Year of eligibility: 5
Height: 6-8
Weight: 330
 
Key stats 2012: N/A
Awards & honours (since start of CIS career): Four-time OUA conference all-star and two-time CIS All-Canadian.
 
PROFILE
 
Arguably the premier offensive lineman in CIS football, Matt Sewell returns to the McMaster line-up for his final year of eligibility.
 
Sewell spent the 2012 season in the top five of the CFL prospect list of draft-eligible players and helped his Marauders win a second straight Yates Cup and advance to a second consecutive Vanier Cup.
 
Signed as a free agent by the NFL Tennessee Titans, Sewell attended the team’s rookie camp before returning home.  He was also drafted in the first round of the CFL draft by the Toronto Argos.  He put his professional plans on hold to pursue a unique academic opportunity.
 
Sewell has started at left tackle for every game of his four-year varsity career, missing only the season opener in 2011 while recovering from a wrist injury suffered in training camp.

Name: Paul de Pass
University: University of Toronto
Hometown: Ajax, Ont.
High school / Cegep: Notre Dame C.S.S.
Position: Receiver
Academic program: History
Year of eligibility: 5
Height: 5-11
Weight: 185

Key stats 2012: Made 30 receptions for a team-high 521 yards and two touchdowns in 2012. Ranked fifth in the CIS with 17.4 yards per catch. Recorded a career-high 167 receiving yards versus York on Oct. 13.

Awards & honours (since start of CIS career): Cracked U of T’s Top 10 career receiving yards list in 2012. Currently ranks ninth with 1520 yards.

PROFILE

Paul de Pass enters his fifth and final season with the Varsity Blues in 2013. The Ajax, Ont., native has been nothing but consistent since he first stepped on to the field in 2009, and has been one of Toronto’s top two targets for the past three seasons.

A history major, de Pass has ranked among the top five receivers in the country in yards per catch over the last three seasons. In 2012, he cracked U of T’s top 10 career receiving yards list, joining the likes of CFL all-star Rob Crifo and two-time CIS all-Canadian Mark Magee.

Coming from a family of seven, it is no surprise that de Pass has become a leader both on and off the field. He has thrived at U of T both academically and athletically and has helped the Blues establish a competitive culture throughout the OUA.

Name: Josh Burns
University: Windsor
Hometown: LaSalle, Ont.
High school / Cegep: St. Thomas of Villanova C.S.S.
Position: Defensive Back
Academic program: Environmental Studies
Year of eligibility: 5
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
 
Key stats 2012: 27.5 tackles in seven games played (ranked fifth on team) and one interception.
 
Awards & honours (since start of CIS career): 11^th annual CIS East West Bowl participant
 
PROFILE
 
Originally brought in as a wide receiver, Josh Burns found his niche on the defensive side of the ball and is a legitimate CFL prospect heading into his fifth year of CIS eligibility. The LaSalle, Ont. native was fifth on the Lancers in 2012, recording 27.5 tackles over seven games in the regular season. Burns also picked up one interception for Windsor and will be the leader of the Lancers defence in 2013 according to head coach Joe D’Amore.
 
The fifth-year senior represented the Lancers at last year’s CIS East West Bowl, where he picked up an interception. Burns is ready to help the Lancers bounce back from a 3-5 season and early playoff exit last fall.
 
“With a few key additions and many core players still remaining we will be a team to watch this upcoming season. Personally I expect nothing less than a championship, and will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.”
 
“Josh came in as a wide receiver and we asked him to move over on defence in his first year,” said D’Amore who is going into his third season as head coach. “Over the past two seasons he has built up his body and is ready to take the next step in becoming a top player at his position.” - Coach Joe D'Amore

  Name: Nathaniel Behar
University: Carleton
Hometown: London, ON
High school / Cegep: London Central Secondary School
Position: Receiver
Academic program: Communications
Year of eligibility: 1^st year
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 190
 
Key stats 2012: Did not play
 
PROFILE
 
Nate Behar signed to the Carleton Ravens in November 2012 as a wide receiver. During his extensive football career in London, Ont., he has become known as the top wide receiver and one of the top 10 football players in Canada. Head Coach Steve Sumarah said that Behar becoming a Raven “legitimates the direction that the Ravens football program is going towards.”

He possesses a rare combination of athleticism and strength for a young receiver. Expect big from Behar in his first season with the Ravens.
 
“Nate is one of the most dynamic receivers to come out of high school in some time. A great student-athlete who’s leadership qualities are going to be counted on early." - Head Coach Steve Sumarah

Name: Elliot Nelson
University: Carleton
Hometown: Burnaby, BC
High school / Cegep: St. Thomas More High Collegiate
Position: Linebacker
Academic program: Sociology
Year of eligibility: 1st year
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 215

Key stats 2012: Did not play

Elliot Nelson is a dynamic defensive player that comes from Burnaby, B.C. where he was a two-way player at running back and linebacker. Look for him to contribute right away to the Ravens defence.

“Elliot is the epitome of what a student-athlete represents. On the field, he is an athletic football player. We’re looking forward to being a leader in our defence." - Head Coach Steve Sumarah