CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — In 2009, Kingston, Ont. native Cory Greenwood became the fourth Concordia linebacker in six years to receive the Presidents’ trophy as the top stand-up defensive player in CIS football.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Stingers captain led the Quebec conference and was third in the nation with 62 regular-season tackles, including five for losses and a pair of quarterback sacks. In the second edition of the CFL’s Amateur Scouting Bureau list he jumped one spot to #2 overall.
CFL.ca recently caught up with Greenwood and had the following conversation:
Q: First off, how did a Kingston guy end up at Concordia?
A: Well coming out of high school I originally planned on working in a trade, so I started working for a friend who owned his own construction company. That Christmas, a lot of my friends who were playing university football came home, and after catching up with them I realized how much I missed playing football. So long story short, I found a junior team in Ottawa to play for the following fall.
After that, there were many Canadian universities that started showing interest. However, my goal was to get a Division 1 scholarship and in order to do that I needed to make a highlight tape to give to scouts at combines and write my SATs. So, while working 40 hours a week framing houses, I would train every night after work and meet with a tutor three nights a week for an hour and a half to prepare for my SATs. After performing very well at combines and impressing U.S. scouts with my film, I received a couple offers from MAC, Big East & CUSA teams, but it didn’t work out.
Plan B was to come and play in the Quebec University Football Conference because of its reputation of being the strongest in the country. If I couldn’t make it down to the States I wanted to compete and play against the best players in Canada. I felt Concordia was the best fit for me.
Q: When did you first start playing football?
A: I started playing organized football in Grade 8.
Q: How would you describe your style of play? Is there a current for former CFL player whom you model yourself after?
A: My style of play would be fast and physical. I think I’m similar to Otis Floyd.
Q: What’s it like carrying the defensive torch at Concordia from guys like Troy Cunningham and Patrick and Mickey Donovan?
A: I never played with Mickey or Troy but I definitely watched film on them. They were both great players. I was fortunate enough to have the chance to play one season with Pat and I learned a lot from him on and off the field. I paid attention to how he carried himself on the field in certain situations where the team leaned on him to make plays, and I also tried to mimic his work ethic off the field. He spent countless hours in the gym and watching game film on his opponents, week in and week out. His approach to university football was very professional and that’s exactly how I approached my university career.
Q: Who else has played an important role in your football career?
A: Besides having a great coaching staff, my parent’s definitely played an important role in my football career. They made university life that much easier. I could count of them to be at every game supporting me. Every time they made the drive to Montréal I knew my fridge would be stocked up with home cooked meals, which every university student misses the most.
Q: In April 2008, you earned the title of ‘Fittest Male Athlete’ at Concordia. What do you do to stay in shape?
A: I just try and stay in good shape year round. I get into a routine of eating healthy and training consistently and it works for me.
Q: What is your favourite CIS football moment or memory?
A: Anytime I get to travel to Québec City to play against the Laval Rouge et Or is special. There’s something about the atmosphere that gets me to raise my game. Also, playing in front of 20,000 screaming fans helps as well. They’re a first class program that I have a lot of respect for.
Q: What was your reaction when you were first named to the CFL’s Scouting Bureau list and then when you moved up to #2 overall?
A: It caught me off guard a little bit at first; I knew there were a lot of top calibre Canadian players playing in the NCAA this draft year. It’s definitely nice to hear, but this is all pre-draft stuff, I feel like I still have a lot to prove.
Q: Did you have a favourite CFL team growing up? If so, who?
A: No I’ve never had a favourite CFL or NFL team even to this day. I just have a love for the game and enjoy watching individual players perform like Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not playing football?
A: I really just like relaxing with family and friends. There’s so much preparation that goes into football like lifting weights, practices, watching film, eating healthy and so forth, that by the time I’m done all that I really don’t have the energy to do anything crazy.
