CFL.ca has profiled a number of key Canadian university prospects leading up to this weekend’s CFL Evaluation Camp in Toronto. Today we feature Jordan Sisco, a slotback from The University of Regina.
Brian Snelgrove
CFL.ca
He spent eight years learning how to dance. Now Jordan Sisco is going to the big party.
“The one thing that would define him is that he likes pressure. Jordan has always been the go-to-guy. When the chips are down he will make the big play for you.” -Head Coach Frank McCrystal
“From kindergarten to grade eight I spent a lot of time learning all sorts of Italian dances,” says the 6’1” 212 lbs. slotback from The University of Regina as he prepares for this weekend’s CFL Evaluation Camp in Toronto. “They were mostly polkas and folk-type dances. I was pretty good at it.”
“And,” he says, “I think it was huge in my development. There is a lot of foot work and different movements required. I think it really helped me on the football field.”
There is no disputing the fact that the dance-floor moves have already paid dividends.
Sisco was one of two Canadian university players invited to the annual East-West Shrine Game this past January in Orlando, Florida. Sisco played on the West squad that was coached by Marty Schottenheimer, an NFL legend who has been associated with professional football for more than 40 years.
“It was crazy, it was awesome,” says the 22-year-old Regina native. “To meet a lot of the guys, the coaches, there were some pretty big names there, a lot of players that will probably be stars in the NFL. It was a really good experience, I learned a lot about myself, both on and off the field. My speed was there, my strength was there and I was one of the bigger receivers, but you are learning all the time. It was a lot to take in at that moment. I felt more comfortable the more I learned the playbook.”
As apart of the event the players visited the local Shriner’s Hospital in Orlando. “That was a really touching time,” says Sisco, a fourth year Sports and Recreation student. “A lot of the kids could barely walk but they liked to hang out with football players.”
The two-time Canada West all-star (2007, 2009) had 24 receptions for 330 yards and one touchdown his rookie season in 2006. In 2007 he set a club record for most receiving yards in a game when he had nine receptions for 228 yards against Alberta. He finished the year and led the team in all major receiving categories with 40 catches for 678 yards and five scores. Despite missing two games in 2008, he had 25 receptions for 343 yards and three TDs.
“The one thing that would define him is that he likes pressure,” says Rams Head Coach Frank McCrystal. “Jordan has always been the go-to-guy. When the chips are down he will make the big play for you.”
After moving from wide receiver to slotback at the start of this year, Sisco enjoyed his best season as he had 52 receptions for 700 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He finished third overall in receiving in Canada West. “It wasn’t really a big deal,” says Sisco of the transition. “At wideout I caught more fades and hitches. At slotback it was more a question of getting used to the quarterback and running different routes.”
Sisco is third all-time on the Rams with 2,051 receiving yards and second in career catches with 141. He still has one year of CIS eligibility remaining.
He played basketball and football at Michael A. Riffel High School in Regina. For the past few years he has worked with both flag and tackle leagues for 8-18 years old through Football Saskatchewan and says he would “probably be working with kids in football” if he wasn’t actually playing. He looks up to former Ram and current Saskatchewan Roughrider receiver Jason Clermont – who played in the East-West Shrine game in 2002.
As for E-Camp Sisco says, “I’m ready to go to work. I’m always smiling and always having fun, no matter what’s going on, no matter the pressure.”
“It’s always tougher when you go to the next level but Jordan should do well at this,” says McCrystal. “He played well at the Shrine game and showed that he is able to run away from guys. He will be fine. He will represent our program as a team guy. He will listen, be attentive and will run to the next drill. He is very dedicated and has a legitimate shot at the CFL.”
“I always want to be the best at what I am doing,” says Sisco. “I am always determined to beat the guy in front of me.”
Sisco will get that chance this weekend in Toronto.
