KINGSTON | A key member of the Université de Montréal Carabins’ defensive staff despite having only played three games in the collegiate ranks, defensive end Jeremiah Ojo credits a friend for getting him into event football and God for his success.
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Ojo played for the Châteauguay Raiders between the ages of 8 and 10, suffered an injury and gave up football in favor of basketball. “Because of my injury, my father didn’t want me to play football anymore,” said the 1.80 meter tall, 110 kilogram defensive end. I’ve played basketball my whole life.”
One of his friends attending a college network evaluation camp invited him to tag along even though he hadn’t played in six years. His career then took a completely different turn. “After the physical tests, before I even put on my helmet and shoulder pads, a recruiter from John Abbott came to me,” he said. Other coaches came to me after soccer practice. I knew I had potential and had no choice but to keep going.”
He starts from zero
His years with John Abbott’s Islanders were not easy. “It’s like it’s my first year,” he concluded. I moved from linebacker to defensive end my sophomore season and played in three games and the 2020 season was canceled.”
How can you excite college teams with so little film? “York and Queen’s came to our practices and were interested. I then published my film on Twitter [maintenant X] and other teams came.”
“Although I played very little at John Abbott, I improved with every training,” Ojo continued. My position coach Derrick Joseph helped me tremendously. He recognized my potential from the start. It hurt not to play, but football wasn’t a season, it was a career.”
“God had a plan for me”
His arrival at the Blues was also a learning experience. “In my first season in 2021, I was dressed in four or five games and was used in second-down situations. However, in 2022, I played fewer games. On one hand it’s surprising that I’ve had so much success this year, but on the other hand it’s no surprise because God had a plan for me. Things didn’t go the way I wanted, but I trusted him and my time had come.”
“I am constantly making progress and we have only seen the surface of my potential,” Ojo added. My goal is to play in the CFL. If I didn’t have the pros in mind, I don’t know if I would still be playing. We’ll see if that’s what God has in store for me.”
Market leader in bags
After succeeding Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal, who had a brilliant career with the Blues, Ojo was the leader in sacks and tackles for loss in the RSEQ and was selected to the first all-Canadian team. Ojo will have a tough challenge ahead of him in the Vanier Cup as the Thunderbirds rely on two outstanding blockers, particularly Theo Benedet, who won the J.-P.-Metras Trophy, given to the best lineman, the last two years becomes.
“They are very, very good and it will be a great challenge. They are dominant in the film. The same was said about Western, but the competition isn’t the same in Ontario. There is a lot of talent in the RSEQ. The departure of some veterans in defense meant we lost the lead, but we knew we had huge potential even if we hadn’t played much.