POTTINGER HAS SHOT AT JOINING LIONS

By Larry Moko
The Hamilton Spectator

HAMILTON - When the McMaster football Marauders open their four-day spring camp tomorrow at Ivor Wynne Stadium, middle linebacker Jason Pottinger is going to be in attendance.

Unfortunately for the Marauders, the four-year Ontario University Athletics veteran will be an observer rather than a participant. The hard-hitting 6-foot-2, 243-pounder was the first Canadian Interuniversity Sport player selected in last week's 2006 CFL Canadian Draft.

Pottinger was selected by British Columbia Lions as the second overall pick -- behind defensive end Adam Braidwood of Washington State, who was taken by Edmonton Eskimos.

\"I was pretty surprised,\" Whitby native Pottinger said of his selection by the pros. \"I knew I probably go in the first two rounds, but I didn't think I'd go that high.\"

Highly-touted record-setting receiver Andy Fantuz of Western Ontario Mustangs -- the Hec Crighton Trophy winner -- was chosen third overall by Saskatchewan Roughriders.

\"It comes down to what a team needs,\" Pottinger said.

A two-time First-Team All-Canadian and OUA nominee for the Presidents' Trophy as CIS Defensive Player of the Year both in 2004 and '05, Pottinger says he'll be leaving Hamilton on Saturday.

\"May 17 is their (Lions) camp opener. If it doesn't work out I'll definitely be back at Mac.\"

Pottinger admits being mildly disappointed that he couldn't remain local and play for former McMaster coach Greg Marshall with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

But looking on the bright side, he said: \"I've heard nothing but good things about Vancouver. It will be a change of scenery. I've never been out west.\"

McMaster head coach Stefan Ptaszek, who was the offensive co-ordinator for the 2005 Vanier Cup champion Laurier Golden Hawks, says Pottinger has amazing talent.

\"He has a nose for the football,\" Ptaszek said. \"He's a great instinctual player. To be his size and move the way he moves ...\"

Ptaszek, who played briefly in the CFL for the Lions, said Pottinger's versatility gives him a shot at sticking with the B.C. club.

Other Mac players that will be competing for CFL jobs after being chosen in the draft are: fifth-year outside linebacker and 2003 All-Canadian Tristan Clovis and offensive lineman Peter Hogarth.

They both were selected by Saskatchewan Roughriders in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. They'll join Mac offensive tackle Matt O'Meara, who was drafted by the Green Riders last season.

\"Tristan can definitely hit and he can run,\" Ptaszek said. \"They'll be impressed with his athleticism. He'll be a strong candidate for free safety. The free safety obviously has to have a physical component to his game.\"

At 6-foot, 197 pounds, Clovis lined up at strong-side linebacker for Mac, a position which requires the ability to support the run and regularly cover receivers. His brother, Sebastien, was drafted by B.C., out of Saint Mary's, last year.

\"Tristan Clovis and Jason Pottinger are irreplaceable,\" Ptaszek said. \"They're pretty special.\"

Hogarth, a 6-foot-4, 300-pounder, is praised by Mac coaches as being an intelligent player who possesses remarkable strength and agility.

Said Pottinger: \"Hogarth is an amazing athlete.He's hasn't got much recognition here because he's been overshadowed by a couple of other guys.\"

Marauders' spring camp at Ivor Wynne tomorrow and Friday runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, there will be sessions from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m. A scrimmage is scheduled for Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

lmoko@thespec.com 905-526-2458


McMaster--CFL draft facts

* McMaster Marauders and Laval Rouge et Or each had three players drafted this year, the most by any school.

* Last year, two Marauders were selected in the first round -- Jesse Lumsden by the Ticats and Matt O'Meara by Saskatchewan.

* Four Mac products were drafted in 2005 -- Lumsden, O'Meara, Fabio Filice, Michael Ray.

* McMaster currently has eight players in the CFL. They are: Mike Morreale, Kojo Aidoo, Ryan Donnelly, Fabio Filice and Ray Mariuz, Hamilton Tiger-Cats; O'Meara, Saskatchewan Roughriders; Mike Botterill and Chris Vrantsis, Montreal Alouettes. Lumsden was acquired by the NFL's Washington Redskins as an unrestricted free agent.

Reprinted with permission from The Hamilton Spectator.