Labrecque First to Join 2016 Recruiting Class:

The University of Calgary Dinos have signed their first recruit for the 2016 season on the weekend. They have received a commitment from Caron Labrecque, a Linebacker from Vernon Secondary School.

Head Coach Wayne Harris and recruiting coordinator Matt Berry confirmed linebacker Carson Labrecque from Oyama, BC has signed an LOI to attend the University of Calgary in 2016.

A 6’2”, 235 inside linebacker Labrecque, is considering one of the top linebacker prospects in the country for the 2016 recruiting class. He has been a member of the Vernon Secondary Panthers for the past four seasons playing for Head Coach Sean Smith. He was a Football British Columbia AA all-star in 2014 for the Panthers. He had the misfortune of injuring his knee this past spring while competing for Team BC All Canadian Gridiron Challenge in Kamloops. He is currently rehabbing his knee while completing his senior academic courses in Vernon.

Labrecque made his official recruiting visit to Calgary in early September. He indicated he planned on recruiting visits to McMaster University and the University of Manitoba, but decided over the weekend he would commit to the Dinos.

“I feel Calgary is a great fit for me in both football and academics and want to concentrate on school so I made the decision. They will have room at linebacker. I felt welcome during my visit and the program felt like family,” stated Labrecque. It is also close to home,” added Labrecque who will enrol in the Faculty of Kinesiology.

“Carson has been on our radar for a while. He is a big strong athletic linebacker. He fits our system well and we look forward to coaching him in the future,” states Harris.

Harris also paid tribute to the Panthers program. “Sean (Smith) runs a solid program at Vernon Secondary and does a great job with his athletes,” stated Harris.

Smith had high praise for Labrecque. "I am so happy that Carson is realizing his dream of playing football at the next level. His dedication to the game of football has been second to none in our program. He is so deserving of getting that chance with the University of Calgary. I think he's a perfect fit for their defensive scheme and I know he felt very comfortable with their coaching staff. Carson is not only a great football player, but he is also a great leader and I have no doubt that he will be a team captain for them before too long,” states Smith.

Labrecque was named Most Valuable Player at the Lawyer Malloy Camp in Tacoma this past year and earned top linebacker honours at Football U Camp in Phoenix. 

He is the son of Marcel and Dawn Labrecque.