WOLFVILLE, N.S. – A senior free safety for the Axemen football team, Brandon Jennings, will have an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing professional football.
The St. Albert, Alta. native was chosen to take part in the National CFL Combine in Winnipeg March 22nd to 24th. For the sixth consecutive year, the CFL hosted a trio of regional combines ahead of the main CFL Combine. Jennings didn't attend the regional combine, but was invited to the National Combine.
The National CFL Combine will take place at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, where players will undergo medical examinations, performance, strength and speed tests, on-field football drills and team interviews over the two-day combine in front of CFL team's scouts, general managers, and coaches.
Jennings was an AUS All-Star and second team U SPORTS All-Canadian free safety during the 2016 season and attend the U SPORTS East-West Bowl in the spring of 2017.
"I've been excited to go for five years. The fact that it's almost here is indescribable. I was fortunate to get invited to the East-West Bowl game last year, and that was a big stepping stone to this invitation," said Jennings
Jennings is only one of two AUS football players on the National CFL Combine roster. Player evaluations are based on size, athleticism, versatility, and character. This past season Jennings, from his defensive free safety position, had 12 solo tackles and 12 assisted. In 2016, Jennings posted a career-high 32 tackles and 12 assisted. He also has taken on punting duties for the last two seasons.
"I believe that versatility is an asset for me, and that's why I think I've had interest from teams across the league," noted Jennings.
"My family members have not played football, yet I'd say they're the biggest influencers in my life that have got me here. A lot of the time it's not what you do, it's how you do it; that's a mentality instilled in me since childhood. I've also been surrounded by great players at Acadia, who have helped me learn tough lessons around character, hard work, and integrity, and that has pushed me in the right direction for the last five years leading up to this," commented Jennings when asked who influenced him the most during his formidable years.
Axemen head coach Jeff Cummins noted Jennings' growth as a player of the last three seasons where he has focused his effort to become the best he can mentally and physically.
"Brandon is a very dedicated athlete and player that has got better over time. He has grown up a lot mentally over the last 3 years and therefore brings a high football IQ to the free safety position. Over the last two seasons Brandon has become our full-time punter, also kicks off and has done a lot of place kicking too. So, you could say Brandon is a bit of a Swiss army knife within our football team. He has a great passion for the game of football along with Acadia University and his teammates. He has very high expectations for himself at the combine and we are all very proud and excited to see him compete," said Cummins.
The results of Jennings' effort during the Combine weekend will reap rewards in the eventual CFL Draft in May.
"I've always had a dream of playing pro, and as time has gone on there's been a mental shift that transitioned my dream to a goal, and hopefully soon that goal to a reality," concluded Jennings.