Linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku’s successful season at the University of Memphis will be interrupted by an appearance in the Liberty Bowl on December 29th, which will then lead him to the NFL in the spring.
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The former Élans de Garneau is preparing to finish his collegiate career in the NCAA and hopes to become the next Quebec player selected in the Goodell circuit during the April 25-27 draft.
His team finished the regular season with a 9-3 record and Cantin-Arku believes he achieved his individual goals as he was an honorable mention selection to the AAC Conference All-Star team.
He finished the campaign with 72 tackles, one sack, one interception, two forced fumbles and one recovery. Not to mention his game-winning play when he blocked a field goal against Boise State on September 30th and returned the ball 80 yards for a touchdown.
“I met the expectations I had for myself. I wanted to finish with a good grade and I think I succeeded. Statistically speaking, I had good numbers everywhere.
“The blocked field goal will always be a defining game in my career. First, it is very difficult to block a kick, but usually the one who blocks it is never the one who hits the ball back. “The game was just perfect,” he said in an interview with Le Journal.
It was yesterday, but it’s worth talking about. A big, big play by Quebec linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku with a blocked field goal and an 80-yard return in the Memphis win. https://t.co/nkaW25fgA7
— Stéphane Cadorette (@SCadoretteJDQ) October 1, 2023
The NFL in the crosshairs
Geoffrey Cantin-Arku will participate in the Liberty Bowl against Iowa State on December 29th in his final game against Memphis. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MEMPHIS UNIVERSITY TIGERS
The Lévisien know that the next few months will be crucial. After all, his good friend Matthew Bergeron went through the long process leading up to the NFL draft a year ago, which helps Cantin-Arku know what to expect.
Even though he doesn’t know yet whether he’ll be invited to compete among the top graduates at the Senior Bowl or the NFL Evaluation Camp in March in Indianapolis (Combine), he’s certainly not stopping himself from dreaming big.
“With or without an invite, with what I showed on the field and the videos that teams have about me, I just need a good Pro Day with good numbers. If I don’t get drafted, worst case scenario I’ll be made a free agent, but I’m sure I’ll get my chance,” he said bluntly.
One last important game
Geoffrey Cantin-Arku at work while playing with the Cégep Garneau Elans. Archive photo, QMI Agency
For now, Cantin-Arku will focus on finishing his college career. His Memphis Tigers have completed the regular schedule and even though the AAC conference championship eluded them, they have a chance to redeem themselves in the Liberty Bowl against Iowa State.
In recent years, several players have decided to forego bowl participation to reduce the risk of injury in preparation for the draft. This is not the strategy the Quebec linebacker wants to pursue.
“I go bowling because I have the opportunity to finish it right. It will also be a unique opportunity to play in front of our fans in Memphis one last time. Also, I’m not in a “Power 5” conference. A good matchup against a Power 5 team can give me the opportunity to move higher in the draft. For me it is smarter to play,” he argued.
After the Liberty Bowl, Cantin-Arku will work hard training in the Tampa area, where he will spend two months preparing for his Pro Day.
On that day in Memphis, a date yet to be determined in March, NFL teams will spy on him in various physical tests. He says he is now satisfied with the progress made.
“We had a very close team and the coaches said I was one of the good leaders they had seen. I say this with all humility, but I’m really proud of it. I put all the odds on my side to get drafted in April.