Jim Mullin
CFL.ca
If there is one prospect who fits the term “The Natural” entering the 2009 CFL Draft, Simeon Rottier of Westlock, Alberta fits the bill.
How else would you qualify an offensive lineman who has the foot speed of a Dan Federkeil, the arm length of a Jason Jimenez, and the athleticism that would allow him to start as an inside receiver at the university level?
The University of Alberta Golden Bear is ranked as the top prospect headed into the draft and evaluation camp. What’s remarkable about his ascension to the top of the heap is that Rottier never played football until after his high school graduation.
“Football was something I always wanted to play, and knew that I was going to play,” Rottier said.
Rottier specialized at basketball and volleyball in high school. Many scouts who have broken down film on Rottier credit his participation in those sports in developing his foot speed, and the ability to laterally slide into position.
However, at 6’6″, 290lbs his prep athletics at R.F. Staples Secondary did not contribute to building bulk, which is a work in progress. While he is working in the gym with former and current Edmonton Eskimos, Rottier says his high school days helped him build on a solid foundation.
“When you’re younger I think playing a variety of sports is a better way of developing athletically, rather than just focusing on one sport,” he said.
“Once it came to football only, my past gave me a good base to work with.”
Rottier started as a backup tight end in the Canadian Junior Football League with the Edmonton Huskies in his first year of football, before he was shifted to the offensive line. He also learned about winning with the Huskies, where he was part of two national championships, and was selected a CJFL All Canadian in 2005.
Although the Golden Bears were not winning championships in the Canada West, Rottier was an individual standout on a solid offensive line. In his rookie university season he was a Can-West All-Star in 2006. He followed that up with national recognition as a second team All-Canadian in addition to conference honours. In 2008, he was a first team All-Canadian.
Former Edmonton Eskimo lineman Tim Prinsen has coached Rottier at the U of A and instructed him with the CJFL Huskies.
“He’s still young football-wise,” Prinsen said.
“But when Simeon got to the Bears, we were running a system comparable to what I played in when I was in the CFL. It took him a little bit to get the hang of it, but now he sees the field pretty well and systems-wise he’s pretty smart. He’s come a long way in three short years.”
Rottier followed in the footsteps of offensive linemen like CFLers Leo Groenwegen, Scott Flory, Jordan Rempel and Brendon LaBatte by playing in the annual East-West Shrine game in Houston against some of the top talent from the NCAA. His university coach Jerry Friesen was with him.
“It was interesting to see the Americans asking, ‘Who’s that guy?’ wherever he went,” Friesen recalled.
“He took advantage of his chance, especially on game day and caught the attention of some folks down there, so that was good.”
One question surrounding Rottier could be attitude. The concern is not the lack of a work ethic or the ability to continue to learn the game at an amazing rate. The wild card is just how much ferocity or nastiness he may or may not have, which has proven to be the undoing of many prospects in the past.
Prinsen believes the level of mean will be seen.
“He does have it. Sometimes when you’re a rookie and you’re adjusting to the game it doesn’t come through. But as he’s adjusted to the game and found his comfort level, we’ve seen that part of his game.
Prinsen says Rottier also brings something he can only credit his genes for. He has abnormally long arms, which come in handy when fending off a professional defensive end with a one-yard jump.
“It’s a tremendous advantage as an offensive lineman because Simeon can keep guys away from him, and not let the defensive lineman get inside and make their moves at will,” Prinsen said.
Rottier says he’ll go anywhere a CFL team will take him, and is willing to be patient.
“I’ve been learning, and I’m willing to earn my spot and learn about the next level.”
Jim Mullin is the Sports Director at CKNW 980 in Vancouver. He is the play-by-play voice of Canada West Football on SHAW TV. In 2009, he will broadcast his 13th season of university football on the coast. He is also the founder of the University Football Reporters of Canada.
