Fraser Caldwell
Ticats.ca
Having enjoyed years of gridiron success at Ron Joyce Stadium, Jason Medeiros hopes to translate his exploits on the McMaster turf to the professional level.
A late addition to the Ticats’ roster on the eve of training camp, the Marauder offensive lineman opened his account in Black and Gold alongside fellow rookies during the team’s first day of workouts for uninitiated players on Thursday.
Standing in front of the bleachers during his first media availability, in the wake of that eye-opening experience, the decorated university player expressed both his excitement and desire to excel in the face of tougher training competition. He acknowledged that the elite status of professional players forces a readjustment on those accustomed to dominating all comers.
“It’s definitely something else,” said the young lineman of his new professional challenge. “Coming in here as a university student, you feel like the big man on campus. But when you’re coming in as a professional, you want to up your game even more and give it your all. Even when you’re out there running around in shells and helmets, you’re going all out and everyone else is playing like that too.”
Plying his trade alongside players who quite often enjoyed storied collegiate careers of their own, Medeiros admits that the Ticat training field is a confident and talent-rich place, and that being sure of your ability is a must.
“You see all of the talent around, so you definitely need that confidence – that swagger – just to feel like you belong,” said the lineman of the competitive camp environment.
Medeiros’ efforts to impress the Black and Gold brass received a boost on Wednesday night, when the lineman put lingering academic pressure behind him with the completion of a summer midterm exam. The rookie trench warrior admitted his relief as he can now turn his attention solely to the daunting task of matching up against fellow Ticat hopefuls.
“It’s a real relief to get that off my back,” said Medeiros of the vanquished test. “I was struggling to study a little bit when I’m also trying to get focused and ready for camp. I was just trying to get it done and I got through it. I did well, so it’s great now to be able to just focus on the playbook and coming out here and performing.”
The opportunity presented at training camp truly is a win-win situation for the young lineman. Should he succeed in weathering the demanding schedule and outlasting his competitors in the trenches to claim a spot on the Black and Gold’s roster, Medeiros will have fulfilled a childhood dream.
The worst fate that the rookie faces is a return to a largely intact Vanier Cup championship squad at McMaster. Regardless of the result, Medeiros indicates that his intention is to put forward his greatest effort and let the proverbial chips fall where they may.
“I have a few options, but my goal is to come out here and perform,” said the lineman. “It doesn’t matter how things fall, I just want to lay it all out on the table right now. That way, no matter what happens I know that I gave it everything and that the result was meant to be.”
Knowing the enviable options he has in front of him, Medeiros intends to learn all that he can in whatever time he is allotted at camp.
“I’m looking at it right now as an educational experience and looking to see what happens,” said the Ticat hopeful. “I’m going to take every day as it comes. If I make the team, that’s just the way it goes. But if I go back to school, then I’m just looking at it as another opportunity to better myself and come back next year.”
Whichever colour his jersey happens to be in a few months time, Medeiros knows that he will emerge from his latest foray at Ron Joyce Stadium as a much improved football player. In the meantime, the lineman will enjoy every minute he spends sporting Black and Gold and labouring alongside elite competition.
