The tradition of bright lights and a full crowd on Friday night are two reasons outgoing Notre Dame quarterback Theodore Landers committed to the University of Guelph Gryphons.
Last Wednesday, Landers made it official.
鈥淚 really like the coaches and the atmosphere,鈥� he said of the town near Lake Ontario with a university program dating to 1950. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a football town. You want to be somewhere where football is so big and people want to watch the games.
鈥淚 like a place that has tradition. Where the family is used to going to the game, where it matters to people because it鈥檚 been going on for so long. I want to add to the tradition.鈥�
The Gryphons have finished second in Ontario University Athletics for two consecutive years, and 2015 will be the fifth and final season for (incomparably named) starting quarterback Jazz Lindsey. The Gryphons鈥� pending change in personnel opens a door that Landers is driven to enter.
鈥淚鈥檒l be a rookie next year. Once [Lindsey] leaves, I鈥檒l be battling for that starting position. Knowing in my second year, I could possibly be starting 鈥� that helped me make my decision,鈥� said Landers.
In addition for throwing 442 yards and for four touchdowns for the Jugglers in 2014, Landers also ran for 390 yards (an average 9.5 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. His ability to slow down the game and find the gaps on the ground and in the air have drawn comparisons to a Seattle鈥檚 Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson.
鈥淚鈥檝e even been told that we look alike,鈥� said Landers, 17, who is already three inches taller than the five-foot-11 Seahawk pivot. There aren鈥檛 many better role models playing today, and Landers knows it. 鈥淚 try to mirror my game to his,鈥� he said.
Landers also plays basketball and runs track for Notre Dame. The well-rounded versatility makes him a greater threat on the football field.
鈥淲ith my speed, I feel I can manoeuver in the pocket, break into a run and that helps me. Mentally, it gives me more confidence.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a sport that you need to put a lot of hard work into. It鈥檚 such a team sport and it really needs all 11 or 12 guys to be on the same page. I think it鈥檚 the best team sport, to be honest.鈥�
He credits his dad, Kevin, for helping hone his drive. 鈥淗e鈥檚 always been in my corner, living football, watching football together. I have that initial desire to play and then to make him proud by playing is really dear to me.鈥�
Landers started playing club football in Coquitlam when he was eight. Since his family moved three years ago, he commutes to Notre Dame from Maple Ridge and for two years has travelled to the U.S. for summer training camps led by former NFLers at a sports academy founded by former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo.
鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me the most with my success. When it comes to throwing technique and seeing the field and reading defences, they鈥檝e helped me a lot,鈥� said Landers. 鈥淚 think it separated me from some of the quarterbacks here.鈥�
When a new season starts with the Gryphons, Landers will see how he distinguishes himself at the next level.
