CFL.ca will profile a number of key Canadian university prospects leading up to the CFL Evaluation Camp from March 12-14 in Toronto. Today we feature Adam and Justin Dunk, brothers and teammates from the University of Guelph Gryphons.
Brian Snelgrove
CFL.ca
It should be a slam dunk.
For the past four years these two brothers have been the heart and soul of the Guelph Gryphons football team
“When I got the invitation to E-Camp I was ecstatic. My five years and all the hard work was paying off.” -Justin Dunk
Now Adam and Justin Dunk will get the chance to show off their skills at this year’s E-Camp later this month in Toronto. The CFL brass in attendance can’t help but be impressed.
Prior to starting university Adam was named Defensive Player of the Year three years in a row at John F. Ross High School in Guelph. The 6’1” 200 lbs. linebacker has been a mainstay of the Gryphon defense since his first season. He was a second team OUA all-star and team captain last year.
“I hope to do my best at the camp,” says the 22-year-old Guelph native. “I broke my fibula at the end of last season and that set me back a bit. I hope I can show them with my film and interviews that I have a love for the game and a desire to play at the next level. The biggest thing for me is that in addition to my brother we have six guys from our team going to camp.”
“Adam is intense and the leader of our team,” says outgoing Gryphon’s Head Coach Kyle Walters, who recently accepted a position as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers special teams coordinator. ”He plays all special teams and puts in countless hours in the film room to better prepare himself for each game. He is a striker not a tackler. He does not grab and hold on, he runs through the ball carrier.”
“Adam will bring maximum effort and the ability to contribute on all special teams immediately,” Walters adds. “I expect that even as a first year player he will become a leader due to his personality and work ethic.”
Former CFL linebackers Michael O’Shea and Dan Kepley serve as role models for the fourth year Bachelor of Commerce student. “Kepley was the linebackers coach when I played for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship in Detroit in 2006,” says Adam. “I could really see the intensity and passion he had for the game. O’Shea went to Guelph, is part of Guelph and was a big part of me going to Guelph. He is a great guy to talk to and also has that passion and love for the game.”
“I play with a lot of intensity,” says Adam about his approach to the game. “My job is to stop the ball carrier from doing what he it is he wants to do. I work hard at trying to see each play develop.”
Justin, one of the top QB’s in Gryphon history, is equally dangerous throwing or running with the ball.
“At the start of my career I was probably a better runner,” says Justin. “But as time went on I got a better perspective of the defense and became more accomplished as a passer. I try to take what the defense gives me. I think I am a dual threat. If a passing lane opens up I will throw; if a running lane opens up I will take off.”
“It’s tough to shut him down completely but towards the end of the year team’s got a little bit smarter and started to focus on his strengths,” says Gryphons defensive coordinator Bill Brown. “They stopped rushing him and tried to close off his passing lanes. That’s hard to do, to tell your guys not to go after the quarterback.”
The 6’1” 187 lbs. pivot has thrown for more yards (5,603) and rushed for more yards (1,006) than any quarterback in Guelph history. He is in second spot in career touchdown passes with 38.
He holds the Gryphon record for most completions in a season with 158 which he set in 2006. That year Justin also led the OUA in passing yards with 2,452 and was named a second team all-star.
In 2007 he threw for 1,784 yards and 17 majors and was again named a second team OUA all-star. The following year he was good on 121 of 208 attempts and compiled 2,064 yards through the air.
Last season the fifth year Bachelor of Arts student was good on 127 of 227 attempts for 1897 yards and 13 touchdown passes. He carried the ball 60 times for 423 yards and seven majors.
“When I got the invitation to E-Camp I was ecstatic,” Justin says. “My five years and all the hard work was paying off. Hopefully I can show my athleticism and my versatility, that I can throw and run with the ball as well as catch it. Just to have a chance is great.”
“Justin has tremendous raw talent,” adds Brown. “As an athlete he is unmatched on our football team. He is also the hardest worker we have.”
