DINOS NAB OUTSTANDING RUNNING BACK FROM ONTARIO:

Cole Kussmann had never been west of Ontario before he came for his recruiting visit in early November 2015 to Calgary. The London, Ontario native liked what he saw. Kussmann, signed a Canadian Interuniversity Letter of Intent with the University of Calgary Dinos a week later.

“I have lived in Ontario my entire life, flying into Calgary, seeing the mountains, was awesome. I wanted a change and a chance to go out West,” stated Kussmann.

A 5’10”, 190 lbs. running back Kussman was the leading rusher in 2015 in the Ontario Varsity Football League for the London Jr. Mustangs earning MVP honours as well as the offensive MVP award.  His coach with the Junior Mustangs was Jordan Haylor, son of former Western Mustangs Head Coach and Canadian Football Hall of Famer Larry Haylor.

Kussmann began his football career with the Banting Bulldogs of the London Minor Football Association. Since then he has suited up for the Jr. Mustangs and his High School team, Mother Teresa Spartans, of the Thames Valley Regional Athletic Association. While playing for the Spartans Cole captured a pair of Most Valuable Player honours.

Cole was pursued by several schools in Ontario including Carleton, Western, Queen’s, Waterloo and McMaster but as mentioned earlier, but wanted to leave Ontario.

“I felt that everyone in Calgary had a passion for the team, whether it were the coaches, players, support staff, alumni, or parents. It was just so neat to see their passion. It is a family atmosphere that is great, and the players I met whether they were seniors or younger players made me feel at home,” states Kussmann who will take courses in the Haskayne School of Business.

“Cole is a hard nosed explosive running back capable of making the big play. He took a year off to train and upgrade academically. We expect him to come in and compete for playing time,” states Head Coach Wayne Harris.

Cole is the son of Curt and Miriam Kussmann of London, Ontario.

DINOS SIGN OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE BACK PROSPECT:

University of Calgary Dinos would like to announce the signing of defensive back Josh Quarles to a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent.

Quarles, who attended Henry Wisewood High School in Calgary played defensive halfback for Cody Ehrmann for the Warriors. He graduated from Grade 12 in 2015 but elected to take a year of off school to focus on academics and will enrol at the University of Calgary in 2016 but is undecided what academic path he will pursue.

“Josh is a very athletic and smart football player. He is also very physical and is reminiscent of current CanWest Defensive Player of the Year in Robbie Woodson,” states recruiting coordinator Matt Berry. Quarles will play halfback with the Dinos and with his outstanding athleticism can be used on special teams.

Last year the 5’10”, 185lbs. Quarles was ranked in the Canada Football Chat Top 100. He was a member of the Alberta U18 team at the Canada Cup and a member of Team Canada at the International Bowl in Texas in January 2015. In 2013 Josh was a Calgary Midget Football all-star while playing for the Bulldogs.

An outstanding athlete, Josh excelled in track and field before concentrating on football. He was ranked third in Canada in the hurdles when he was in Grade 9.

“Calgary has a really good program overall. I wanted to stay at home and liked the support the coaching staff provided me,” Quarles stated. Quarles was contacted by Alberta, UBC, and York pursued Josh but he declined to make any visits.

Quarles is familiar with the Dinos and has assisted in filming practices this year when time has permitted.

Josh is the son of Sherrie Bosch and former Calgary Stampeders quarterback Bernard Quarles who played for the Stamps for two years, 1983-84. Quarles played with current University of Calgary coach Greg Vavra with the Stampeders.

Hopkins a Dino

University of Calgary Dinos proudly welcome Defensive Back Ronnie Hopkins Jr. to their 2016 recruiting class. At a recent post-game event Ronnie signed a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Letter of Intent to play for the team in 2016.

A graduate of the Henry Wisewood High School in Calgary, Hopkins was a member of Team Alberta this past summer starting at cornerback at the U18 Canada Cup tournament. Ronnie was also Calgary Midget football all-star and as well as an all-star with the Calgary Bantam Stampeders.

The 6’, 165 lbs. Hopkins has been around the University of Calgary program attending various development camps. Ronnie was coached by former University of Calgary defensive back Cody Ehrmann at Wisewood and follows the list of outstanding defensive backs from the Warriors to the Dinos that currently includes Conference All-Star Hunter Turnbull.

Ronnie plans to take Kinesiology at the University of Calgary and combining that with pursuit of an Education degree, in hopes of one day being a teacher.

“I felt a great foundation was present in Calgary. Everyone that I met with the program showed kindness and I wanted to live at home while I went to university,” stated Hopkins who was recruited by numerous in the CIS such as UBC, York and Alberta. “I also am familiar with Coaches Harris and Rapini and from speaking with former Wisewood players like Brendan Hansen that are with the Dinos they enjoy playing for the coaches,” adds Hopkins.

Secondary coach Marcello Rapini is excited about having Hopkins join the program. “Ronnie has excellent skills for a young player and I look forward to working and developing him,” states Rapini.

Ronnie’s father, Ron Hopkins played for the Calgary Stampeders from 1983 through 1991 and his mother is Lauren Palmer.