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Hunter gets NCAA D I commitment from Bowling Green

North Bay's Ryan Hunter does drills at one of the handful of NCAA football camps he attended last summer. Photo courtesy Denis Lacourse.


North Bay's Ryan Hunter does drills at one of the handful of NCAA football camps he attended last summer. Photo courtesy Denis Lacourse.

He was on their radar last summer and on national signing day in the United States, North Bay’s Ryan Hunter committed to Bowling Green Universities NCAA Division I Football program.

The 6’5”, 320 pound offensive linemen is in his final year at with the Canisius Crusaders Prep school in Buffalo where he has played his last 2 seasons of high school football.

The former Algonquin Barons and Nipissing Wild Offensive Lineman felt it was in his best interest to move down south in hopes of acquiring an NCAA Division I Football scholarship.

Today that move paid off.

"Bowling Green has great academic programs, especially in the areas I'm considering getting my degree in. I had a really great visit to the school, too," Hunter told WGRZ TV in Buffalo earlier today.

"The coaches were very welcoming and knowledgeable. They made it clear they want to win, and they really emphasized to my family and me that they view me as an important part of their plans to compete for MAC championships."

The North Bay native will begin his college football career with the Bowling Green Falcons in 2013.

Hunter felt it was important to commit early so he could focus on his final season at Canisius.

Canisius Crusaders head coach Rich Robbins had some high praise for for Ryan's accomplishment and decision.

"It takes a special kid to do what Ryan has done, moving over five hours away from his family as a teenager to challenge himself athletically and academically,” Robbins told WGRZ TV.

“Ryan committed himself completely to being great in the classroom and on the field, and it's a testament to his character that he has received scholarship offers. Bowling Green is getting a commitment from a great player and a phenomenal young man."

Amazing Achievement

Nipissing Wild head coach Matt Gordon coached Hunter with the youth Bulldogs as a 12-year-old and Hunter played for Gordon with the Nipissing Wild in the summer of 2011.

Gordon believes this is an amazing achievement for a Northern Ontario player.

“I think its phenomenal and a testament to Ryan’s work ethic and natural skills," said Gordon, who believes Hunter could be the first North Bayite to acquire a commitment.

He was the best player with the youth Bulldogs, he was the best player in the NDA, the best player for the Nipissing Wild,” said Gordon.

“He’s won tons of awards in New York as well, and now he's one of the top players in the state.”

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Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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