GW Graham grad Sam Nelson is one of five local recruits who’ve signed on with the Valley Huskers for the 2018 B.C. Football Conference season.
Husker head coach Bob Reist confirmed Nelson’s commitment Friday morning. At six-foot-one and 185 pounds, Nelson is a big-bodied receiver with excellent ball skills. He spent last year out of football recovering from an injury, but Reist believes he’ll be an instant-impact player in a receiver corps that needs help.
“A true playmaker, watch for Sam to play an integral role in this years offence,” Reist said.
Reist has reeled in two players from GWG’s arch-rivals, the Abbotsford Panthers.
Standing six-foot-three and weighing a stout 260 pounds, Jesse Clifford will bolster the Husker offensive line. Reist describes Clifford as very athletic and possessing a very high ceiling, adjectives that could also be applied to linebacker Jonny Stevenson.
As Reist tries to build a defensive front to support his talented secondary, Stevenson could be a key piece. An Eastern conference AA all-star in his last year of high school ball, he’s six-foot-three and 215 pounds, with the athleticism to range sideline to sideline. Stevenson is aggressive and hard-hitting and Reist calls him an ‘intriguing prospect.’
Chilliwack native Harry Sommerville spent last season with the Langley Stampeders and helped the Stamps to a 12-0 record and a provincial title in 2016. Sommerville made a name for himself as a defensive lineman, winning several awards over the last few seasons, but he made the switch to linebacker last year and that’s where he’ll likely play with the Huskers.
The fifth recruit comes to Chilliwack from the Robert Bateman Timberwolves.
Sam Henneberry won Bateman’s team MVP award and earned a AA Eastern conference all-star nod at linebacker in 2017. He stands six-foot and weighs 170 pounds and Reist describes him as a strong cover guy with athleticism and physicality.
“We are very excited to announce the early commitment of these athletes,” Reist said. “Each of them brings valuable skills to the program and we are eager to see them on the field.
“The momentum is certainly growing and we are seeing those results in our recruiting efforts. This is a great start to what we believe will another great recruiting class.”