BURLINGTON, Ont. - The Guelph Gryphons are four days away from competing for a Yates Cup. And with a league-leading total of six players named to the OUA All-Rookie Team, there is a good chance that more Yates Cup appearances may be in the future for the Gryphons as well. First-year standouts
Brendan Murphy,
Tavius Robinson,
Kiondre Smith,
Jean-Paul Cimankinda,
Uriel Kalenga and
Juwan Jeffrey all earned a spot on the OUA All-Rookie Team, which was announced on Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 6) by Ontario University Athletics. The Gryphons' six rookie selections led all schools, with no other OUA opponent having more than three players named to the All-Rookie Team (Waterloo, Ottawa and York all had three).
#16 Brendan Murphy (Defensive Back)
Quebec native Brendan Murphy has emerged as an impact player in the Gryphon secondary, providing the Gryphons with an athletic presence at halfback who can help out with the run and defend the pass. Murphy has already made a name for himself as one of the hardest-hitting defensive backs in the conference and also ranks second on the team in sacks with three.
Quote from head coach Todd Galloway: "Brendan has had an incredible rookie campaign. He managed to earn a starting job right from the opening week and has made a statement as a physical defender in the OUA."
#94 Tavius Robinson (Defensive End):
Tavius Robinson is a true freshman. He just doesn't look, or play, like a rookie. The Guelph native has earned a starting spot at defensive end and has put together a spectacular rookie campaign. Robinson registered a team-leading 4 sacks during the regular season, and at 6-8, has used his incredible length to bat down balls at the line of scrimmage and alter field goal attempts on special teams.
Quote from head coach Todd Galloway: "Tavius has the ability to be very disruptive as a defensive end. He has earned a starting spot on a very good defensive line unit."
#28 Jean-Paul Cimankinda (Running Back):
Jean-Paul Cimankinda has gone from a non-dresser at the beginning of the year, to one of the most dangerous ball carriers in the conference. The bruising, 6-1, 225 lbs Ottawa native ended the regular season with back-to-back 100-yard rushing attempts, and took his game to an even higher level in the playoffs. In the OUA quarter-finals, Cimankinda racked up 256 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns versus Waterloo before rushing for 119 yards in his team's OUA semi-final win over Ottawa.
Quote from head coach Todd Galloway: "J.P. has emerged as an elite running back in the OUA average over 100 yards per game in the last four games."
#4 Uriel Kalenga (Linebacker):
The Quebec pipeline to Guelph has produced yet another standout player, with Gatineau native Uriel Kalenga putting together an impressive rookie season. The 6-1, 195 lbs linebacker earned a starting spot and has come up with several big plays throughout the season while helping form one of the top linebacking corps in the country alongside Luke Korol and Job Reinhart.
Quote from head coach Todd Galloway: "Uriel became the the starting Sam linebacker by Week 1 and never looked back. He keeps making big plays in big moments, including two sacks to seal games this year."
#12 Kiondre Smith (Receiver/Returner):
Elusive return specialist Kiondre Smith took back 16 kick returns for 403 yards, an average of over 25 per return. Smith, the son of former CFL All-Star Adrion Smith, also added 401 yards in the punt return game, including one for a touchdown, which ultimately led him to the team-lead in all-purpose yards.
Quote from head coach Todd Galloway: "Kiondre established himself as an elite returner this year and has also earned the opportunity to start a couple of games at receiver."
#5 Juwan Jeffrey (Running Back):
First-year running back Juwan Jeffrey's 2018 season was cut short due to injury, but the 5-10, 175 lbs Brampton native showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie campaign, including scoring the game-winning touchdown against the then-No. 8-ranked Laurier Golden Hawks, as well as a 125-yard rushing performance versus U of T.
Quote from head coach Todd Galloway: "Juwan had a great start to the season, in a young backfield he shared carries and had two, 100-yard rushing games this year."
2018 OUA All-Rookie Team:
Tavius Robinson, Guelph
Kiondre Smith, Guelph
Brendan Murphy, Guelph
Jean-Paul Cimankinda, Guelph
Uriel Kalenga, Guelph
Juwan Jeffrey, Guelph
Jack Hinsperger, Waterloo
Daeshaun Jupiter-Deane, Waterloo
Andy Melo, Waterloo
Zachary Pelehos, Ottawa
Jaden Lattamore, Ottawa
Nick Sine, Ottawa
Matt Dean, York
Kwadwo Boahen, York
Caleb Palmateer, York
Zack Fry, Western
Spencer Nichols, Western
Eryk Bujalski, McMaster
Dawlson Bourdages, McMaster
Rasheed Tucker, Queen's
Cole Verlinde, Windsor
Jackson Mayer, Toronto
Tyler Eckert, Laurier
Louis Cavanagh, Carleton
