Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
TORONTO — Justin Glover is unique in the football world. He has found a high level of success playing three different positions during his university career, earning All-Canadian honours at guard in only his first year at the job. All this after being recruited as a defensive tackle coming out of high school and switching to offensive tackle after his second season at McMaster.
“We had a rookie come in last year that was most comfortable at the left tackle position so Justin moved inside to guard and did it with just the best attitude. Then he gets named as one of the two best at that position in the country, in his first year. That’s pretty special.” -Head Stefan Ptaszek
Glover got his start in football later than most kids but fell in love with the sport and never looked back. “A couple guys I knew played rep football with the Hamilton Ironmen and convinced me to come out for the junior team so I did. It just kind of snowballed from there,” he said.
“I played with them for the next four years and of course with my high school team too.”
Playing on both the offensive and defensive line during his time at Delta Secondary in Hamilton, Glover made quite a name for himself by senior year.
“He was the best d-lineman in the area coming out of high school,” said McMaster head coach Stefan Ptaszek.
On a scouting trip, Ptaszek caught a glimpse of his leadership skills and his work ethic. He was sold.
“I had the privilege of going to Delta to watch a practice,” he said. “The coach wasn’t there that day so Justin was running all the drills for the d-linemen. I’d never seen that.”
Impressed by his play and his attitude, Ptaszek and the Marauders secured a commitment from Glover and offered him a chance to be a key piece in their defensive line for years to come. But plans change.
“We did recruit him as an interior defensive lineman and that’s where he started out but in his second year our need along the o-line was great so he stepped up,” said Ptaszek.
Glover’s stay at tackle would be short-lived though and he was asked to change positions once again.
“We had a rookie come in last year that was most comfortable at the left tackle position so Justin moved inside to guard and did it with just the best attitude. Then he gets named as one of the two best at that position in the country, in his first year. That’s pretty special,” said Ptaszek.
His hard work has brought Glover recognition as a First Team OUA All-Star and an All-Canadian. Last weekend he had a chance to work out in front of all eight CFL teams at the CFL’s E-Camp in Toronto, including the one he’s always dreamed of playing for.
“I’d love to play anywhere but if somehow I ended up in Hamilton, I mean, that would be unreal,” said Glover. “I told the coaches in my meeting (on Friday night), it would be amazing just to run out of the tunnel on Labour Day in front of the hometown crowd,” he said.
Even before he started playing football, Glover grew up a Ticat fan.
“I remember growing up, watching Earl Winfield play and watching guys like Joe Montford. Obviously the Grey Cup in ’99. That was amazing,” he said.
Whatever the future holds for Justin Glover, there’s at least one person who thinks he would be a smart choice for any CFL team in this year’s draft.
“Eventually I think he can start at centre for a pro team,” said coach Ptaszek. “He’s just so smart, he can call all the protections. Just a really cerebral player,” he said.
“He can use his brains as much as he can use his brawn.”
