Guelph signs Arik Rae
Arik Rae didn’t play a single snap this past season with the Centennial Cougars but that didn’t stop the Guelph Gryphons from signing the 12B student.
“We recruited Arik because of his exceptional athleticism and relentless work ethic. His speed and agility on the field sets him apart, and he consistently demonstrates a commitment to improving his skills,” said John Casasanta, Guelph’s Niagara recruiter. “We believe he will not only elevate our team’s performance but also inspire his teammates to strive for excellence. His dedication to the game and his ability to make crucial plays under pressure make him a perfect fit for our program.”
The 19-year-old Welland native is thrilled to be heading to Guelph this fall.
“It has always been a dream of mine to do that but I guess I just never saw my potential. Just given the opportunity to display the talent I had been gifted was all I needed and I made the most of my opportunities. I tried to make the most of my improvement and I prayed a lot. It all worked out through blessings and I am very grateful for the opportunity.”
Rae took the initiative with Guelph reaching out first to Casasanta, one of his buddy’s mom’s friends, on social media.
“He reached out to me wanting my number and we had a phone call,’” the 12B student said. “I remember being very nervous about that phone call. I was shaking the whole time and we talked and set up a profile and I went to Guelph for a combine. We have been in contact since then.”
Guelph wasn’t the only program that expressed an interest in Rae
“A couple other programs talked to me but Guelph is what spoke to me. They always believed in me from the very beginning. They gave me an opportunity and they believe what I can do,” the six foot, 200-pound wide receiver. “They took a chance on me when other schools never gave me an opportunity and never took the time to get to know me and believe in me as an athlete. Guelph has always taken care of me and reassured me that I could do great things.”
That support meant everything to Rae.
“That’s all it took and that was the biggest motivating factor for me,” said Rae, who is considering studying kinesiology.
“I am really banking on kinesiology but I am not sure I am going to like it. We will see if I get in and how it goes from there.”
He missed his entire 12B season with a hamstring injury.
“It was very bad having chronic hamstring strains which put a halt to a lot of my training. It was very unfortunate and very demoralizing but this injury has taught me how to deal with adversity and it has given me new motivation to want to work and get better.”
Rae is humbled that Guelph looked past his injuries and saw his potential.
With his hamstring issues on the mend, he plans to train hard to get prepared for his freshman season of Ontario University Athletics football.
“I am going to work as hard as I can, recover, do the best that I can and do everything that my body needs. And study as well. I am working out now which is good and I am stretching a lot. Hopefully that will give me the results I am looking for.”
Prior to his hamstring issues, Rae made improvements in many areas, but one area in particular.
“For me, it was all about confidence and really believing in myself. I had no confidence my first two seasons and I would play scared. I didn’t understand the potential that I had and getting that confidence helped to elevate me as a player.”
His goal at Guelph is to make the most of his potential.
“I want to show what I can do and know what I can do. I want to be the best athlete and the best person that I can be.”
Rae played house league football for the Welland Tiger-Cats in Grade 6. He played again the next year and then the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered football and many other sports.
“When it was offered in high school, I fell in love but I didn’t get much of an opportunity until Grade 12 when things began to take off.”
