“Burst” might sound like a difficult characteristic to define, but when you see a football player who’s got it, there’s no better word for it.
And Tyrel Ogloff has more than his share of burst – a first-step quickness that is surprising to fans in the stands, and shocking down at field level.
His football talents carried the running back to just under 1,500 rushing yards through 10 games with the Ridge Meadows Knights midget team last year.
Playing on the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker, he got a few more than 70 tackles, and four interceptions. Two of those he ran all the way back for touchdowns.
And it has also got the Samuel Robertson Technical graduate a spot on the field with the Simon Fraser University Clan next year.
Ogloff had offers from CIS programs in Ontario and Nova Scotia, and he also got an offer from a Third Division NCAA school in Indiana, but he chose the Clan for academic reasons, and to be near family and friends. The Clan is also the only Canadian team that plays in the U.S. based NCAA, in the second division.
“I wanted to be close to home, and the main goal is to get a PhD in chemical or nuclear engineering,” said Ogloff.
He has an outstanding academic burst as well, and is taking a 4.0 GPA to SFU.
The Clan is rebuilding the football program under new coach Kelly Bates – the longtime B.C. Lions offensive lineman, with the help of legendary Lions quarterback Joe ‘The Throwin’ Samoan’ Paopao, who will be the offensive coordinator.
Ogloff said he will definitely be used on special teams kick returns. It’s a great opportunity for an elusive player to shine.
“That’s exciting,” he said. “Once you get the ball in your hands, you have a chance to showcase your skills”
As a rookie, it’s tough to get on the field, and Ogloff and will have to earns his reps with the offence.
“I’m going to have some tough competition – which is what makes athletes better,” he said.
He has been chosen to play in the 2015 Star Bowl game in Chilliwack on April 25.
Last month, he and fellow Knights midget players Matt Oye, Phillip Cromwell and Alex Pongracz took part in the Senior Bowl Week at B.C. Lions training camp, where they got the opportunity to work out with some of the CFL pros. The camp ended with an intrasquad game, and Ogloff was awarded offensive player of the game for his team. He also won running back practice player of the week.
On April 1, Ogloff signed a commitment letter to play for the Simon Fraser University in September.
He was also accepted into the SFU Faculty of Applied Sciences, and plans to pursue an engineering degree with his ultimate goal of a PhD in nuclear or chemical engineering.