Two graduates from the six-time Canadian Bowl champion Saskatoon Hilltops will get a chance to continue their football careers in Saskatoon facing a new challenge.
Wide receiver Connor Graham and defensive lineman Jesse McNabb have signed with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
Graham said the offer came shortly after their Canadian Bowl victory in Langley and it’s a chance to continue the family tradition as Peter played from 1930-to-34 and Ron from 1959-to-61.
“My Grandpa played back in his day too so it kind of means a lot for me and my family to continue playing with that program,” said Graham. “It’s a really good opportunity and it should be fun.”
McNabb was named to the CJFL All-Canadian team for a second straight year and is excited to go from one dynasty to an emerging dynasty as the Huskies were a win away from their second straight Hardy Cup title.
“It’s really exciting to go from one team that’s used to winning to another one that’s on the rise and continue to win, ” said McNabb. “It’s nice to go from one program to the next with the same kind of winning mentality.”
Graham who led the Hilltops in receiving in 2019 with 28 catches for 599 yards during the regular season and hauled in three touchdown passes including a 75 yard major during the CJFL semifinal in London, Ont. has already started to workout with the Huskies and is impressed with the locker room atmosphere.
” Just seeing the culture and how much that team really works, it’s going to be good,” said Graham who added it’s comforting to know former Hilltops teammates who are now Huskies speak highly of the program.
“I’ve had some friends too from the Hilltops who have made that jump, they have nothing but good things to say about the whole program, so I’m really excited.”
Graham also feels he will be well prepared to make the jump to U-Sports football saying Hilltops head coach Tom Sergeant and his staff always demanded the best from each player.
McNabb who had 28 regular season tackles and three quarterback sacks during the regular season and added another three sacks in the playoffs said he too feels ready to move up because of his development with the Hilltops but knows he needs to continue to push himself to improve, expecting the first test to come at spring camp.
“I’m sure the game is going to be a lot faster and there will be a lot bigger guys”, said McNabb who is anxious to test himself further. “It’s the next level, it’s the guys that are right below going to the CFL so it’s going to be good competition, I think it’s going to be a good time.”
McNabb and Graham will have a lot of Hilltop alumni company from the past three seasons.
Adam Machart, Riley Pickett, Joey Trumpy, Josh Ewanchyna, Connor Delahay, Logan Bitz and David Solie were all Topper teammates.
