Pick6 magazine

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CONTENTS 03 04 06 07 09 10 12 14

Interview with Ryan Andersen Doritos Super Bowl Commercial Winner By Natalie Macchione

Turn down for Watt?

Two-time Pro Bowler and a Defensive Player of the Year.

Meet Scott Flick

The man Behind the Art

Torrance Gibson

The Kid With The Golden Arm

By Cody McClure

Hey Will Welcome to the League

By Brandon Rush

Hottie of the Month

Lesley Bazant By Ashley Derthick

What the Green Bay Packers Have to do to Get To Arizona

By Olivia Harlan

The Story of Antonio

From Academically Ineligible to D-1 Recruit By Cody McClure

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* Ryan -----------

shot this commercial with his Son, who is now 7 years old

Interview with

Ryan Andersen DORITOS SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL WINNER

By Natalie Macchione Ryan Andersen, a father out of Scottsdale Arizona had the vision to make a commercial for the Doritos Super Bowl contest. Here is a more inside look at Ryan and the commercial that made him super cool with football fans and his son.

Q: Was this your first year submitting a commercial for this contest?

A: “This was my 4th attempt, but nothing ever happened from it. I got a year supply of Doritos for free, a picture frame award, but that was it, no real money.”

Q: This year the award was 1 million dollars, what have you done or plan on doing with it?

A: “Nothing has been done yet, I’m going to be smart about it. For the most part I’m just having fun with my son, enjoying my time and staying busy, continually working, I haven’t had time to spend money.”

Q: You said your son really enjoyed filming this, were there any obstacles along the way?

A: “There really wasn’t any, usually there is. This year everything kind of clicked, it just felt right. Usually when I shoot, there’s some drama, something that happens. The biggest issue was editing, making it all work in 30 sec, I spent 90 hours of editing.

Q: How did you come up with the idea for this commercial, any inspiration?

A: I was watching back to the future with my son, he alwaysasks if we could make stuff. He wanted to make a time machine so I thought back to my childhood and how I made a time machine. I made one for him and seeing him play with itsparked the idea for the commercial.

With the 2014/2015 football season approaching, I thought to ask Ryan his interest in football and his Sunday ritual.

A: “I am a Cardinals fan, my father being from Illinois he’s a Chicago Bears fan. On Sundays my son and I go to my parent’s house to watch

the games, my father cooks some burgers and pork tenderloins and we sit out on the patio and enjoy time with the family.”

Any plans for next year’s Doritos contest?; Ryan tells us that “I won’t be participating in this year’s Doritos contest, I won and I feel that it’s someone else’s turn, there are a lot of creative people out there”.

What a good sport!

Lastly, I asked Ryan any future filming plans he has in the works.

A: I’m getting ready to shoot my first feature film in November. Without giving out too much, it’s a good SciFi drama, I’m obsessed with drama and emotion and making people feel something. I’ve be working on it for a while. My goal is to have it played at Sundance 2016.

Be sure to support Ryan with his future endeavourers and check out his website ryansmovie.com for more information about his upcoming film.

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Turn down for

Watt?

When Brad Arnett first met a 14-year-old JJ Watt he saw the foundation of what could be, after one conversation with the tall lanky teenager, Arnett knew Watt had potential to be amazing.

“JJ was, and also is now, a very goal driven individual. He greeted me with a firm handshake and told me about his goals.You could tell he had potential just by looking at him,” said Arnett, “once his frame filled out, with his work ethic and drive, I knew it would be a short time before he would achieve those goals.”

time Pro Bowler and a Defensive Player of the Year, and the foundation of what Watt has become can be traced back to three day a week workouts at 5:30am where Arnett would put JJ thru strenuous work outs.

Watt utilized his height and length on the basketball court, and it was easy to see the workouts aimed at football were able to pay off wherever Watt applied his skills.

“With his size, speed, and athlet“Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t icism, JJ was an impact player rebreak him. The body can only gardless of the sport. You could take so much, but you cannot see the work he did carryover to Eleven years later Watt is a two- break him mentally.” the court.”

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Even as a high school sophomore, there was one goal Watt held in high regard, he wanted to play college football at any level.Watt parlayed the next three years of workouts into a scholarship at Central Michigan as a tight end, but after a frustrating year with the direction of the Chippewas program, Watt transferred and walked on at Wisconsin and moved back to defensive end.

After a pair of successful seasons with the Badgers, Watt was selected 11th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. Despite being a second team All American, there were still a lot of unknowns about Watt being able to make an impact at the NFL level.

“After the Rose Bowl until the Draft we worked non-stop to prepare for that combine performance and team workouts,” said Arnett, “his mobility in those drills was so damn impressive, he’d workout with running backs in our group thru the short shuttle, “L” drill, S-cone drill, and JJ was hanging with them.”

“He passed all the tests, but until he actually get into training camp and preseason games, then we knew that we had done enough to get him ready.”

Once drafted Watt took the league by storm totaling 35 sacks through his first three seasons, but the work between

Arnett and Watt wasn’t done.

a stunned silence, “you could have heard a pin drop. At that “He has such a drive and de- point you could see the light sire to get better, and it is con- bulb go on for a few of those tinuing to pay off.” guys” Before the start of the 2014 It’s not as if Watt is a hardline season, Watt inked a six-year workout maniac, even though $100 Million extension.

Arnett says that JJ is “the epitome of discipline”, there is a “JJ has never been in this for great person built around it. the money, he works on his game to get better, and he “JJ is funny. A lot of the perplays the game because he sonality you see in commerloves it. Sure getting to that cials or in TV shows like “The second contract is huge, and League”, that is him. It’s kinda so was the deal, but if he had scary how many things come to pay to play, he’d approach naturally to him. It’s not an act, the work and the game the that’s just JJ.” same as he does now.”

Despite the fame, fortune, Arnett witnessed this drive and riches, Watt is still veryand dedication in one con- grounded. His Justin J. Watt versation in the gym a few Foundation has helped over summers ago. Some Badgers 60 after school programs players were at Arnett’s NX and athletic departments in Level Sports Performance Wisconsin and Texas rangCenter in Waukesha, Wiscon- ing from providing healthy sin along with Watt rehashing snacks, to uniforms for sports the nightlife in Madison. teams, and transportation assistance. Watt is also sure to “The UW players were talking carve out time for an annual about an establishment near camping trip with some of his campus that was a great high school friends, and hosthangout, one guy asked JJ ‘You ing an informal “Chili Cookoff” know the place we are talking with his family and a group of about?’ almost as if everyone close knit friends. who had ever been to Madison knew of it’s existence. “The thing I am most proud Watt turned to the guys and of is to see who he has besaid ‘No, I don’t know about it. come as a man. He stays true I didn’t go out because I was to where his comes from, and too busy working on being a does things for the right rea1st round draft pick.’” sons,” said Arnett, “I tell this to all my guys, If you have deep Arnett said the assembled roots, you never have to fear Badger players stood there in the wind.”

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Meet Scott Flick THE MAN BEHIND THE ART

So I’m big fan of art and sports (of course) and I found myself browsing around and I ran across some the most amazing portraits of professional athletes I’ve ever seen.

I automatically became a fan.

Meet Scott Flick, a diehard Buffalo Bills fan and avid sports fan in general. He’s drawn pictures for a lots of athletes and great thing about it is that he loves to do it.

Hey Scott, How are you doing I became a big fan overnight of your artwork (literally), how did you get started?

I got started years ago doing drawings for memorials and weddings of loved ones. At some point about a year ago, I decided if I gave it more attention, I might be able to get a nice side income from it. Now, with the success I’ve had, the goal is to make it my full income.

That’s a pretty cool story, it sounds like it started as a hobby and blown up into a pretty successful business. It’s seems your die hard Buffalo Bills fan and avid sports fans in general, have doing something with sports been a passion for you for a long time?

All my life. I was raised a bills and sabres fan living in buffalo but I have always been a fan of Yankees baseball, Knicks basketball, Tar Heel colleges hoops and notre dame football.

Jim Kelly was my favorite, no one even a close second.

to the Super Bowl numerous times and good never quite grab the hardware?

I felt dejected for sure but years removed, I appreciate how crazy a feat it was going four straight years.

People ask me all the time, would I trade them all away for going only one time and winning it. I say no.

It’s more about the ride they took us on and for how long, not the win or the loss.

How did you feel when Buffalo got

So what’s the next picture your

Who was the greatest Buffalo Bill player of time in your mind?

going to work on?

I am working on three simultaneously: Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan in UNC, Freddy Jackson bills.

Also where can people view and buy your work?

All work can be seen on my fb biz page: Facebook.com/Flicktures and paid for by PayPal through my email scottflick13@me.com PICK6 Magazine

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The Kid With The Golden Arm

TORRANCEGIBSON

BY CODY MCCLURE

After writing an article about 5-star quarterback Torrance Gibson, Pick6 reached out to the standout all star in hopes he would be willing to sit down for an interview.

He graciously agreed and we discussed his current high school football career and his future as a collegiate athlete. With the most elite universities in the nation currently recruiting him, known for their football programs, including Texas A & M, Auburn, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and LSU (to name a few) it would be an understatement to say this young man has a very bright future ahead of him.

Gibson, currently a junior at American Heritage, will not leave his high school team behind, however, as he makes quite possibly the biggest decision of his life in regards to what college he will be attending come fall of 2015. He made it clear he is focusing on playing his best for his high schoolteam and will not forget he has a commitment to them as well.

On behalf of Pick6 Magazine, we want to thank Torrance for the chance to speak with him and for taking the time to tell his story to us. You can follow him on Twitter @quick_tg6 and be sure to keep your eye on this man – he will be capturing the attention of America in no time.

CODY MCCLURE: I’d like to start by asking: Who have been your biggest personal and professional

influences not only in your football career, but in your life?

TORRANCE GIBSON: My family, teammates, and coaching staff. I’m grateful for them having my back in anything that I do.

CM: Who’s your biggest fan?

TG: My family, definitely my family.

CM: How hectic is the recruiting process? Is it pretty difficult to PICK6 Magazine

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balance all these college coaches getting in contact with you while you try to prepare for your senior football season?

TG: It’s very hectic at times. You’ve just got to enjoy it. You only get one shot at it. You’ve got to pick the right school for you, not someone else.

I’m ready to get the season started and finally commit to a school.

CM: What do you like to do in your spare time?

TG: I help my nephew learn how to play football. He wants to try to be like me, he says, but I tell him not to be just like me. I tell him to be better than me and not to make some of the mistakes I’ve made. We play video games together, too.

CM: How much does it matter to you that you are regarded as a five-star prospect? Do you think the number of stars you’ve got matters in the recruiting process?

TG: I don’t think stars matter that much. I worked hard all my life and sometimes coaches wanted me to play receiver and safety. I’m thankful to be a quarterback at American Heritage. I helped lead my team to a state title for the first time in history. It’s a great honor (to have five stars), but on the field it’s zero stars for everybody. The hardest worker wins.

CM: What’s Torrance Gibson’s favorite food?

TG: Chicken parmesan and nachos.

CM: What about your favorite movie?

TG: Rush Hour.

CM: What are the biggest factors in your recruitment? If you had to pick which aspects meant the most, would it be the coach, the facilities, or how close to home it is? What’s most important to you?

TG: Academics are most important.

That’s always been a big thing with my family and with me. You can’t go anywhere without a degree. Also,

campus and fan base are important.

CM: Speaking of academics, what do you plan to major in?

TG: Business/Sports Management.

CM: I saw on Twitter recently where a fan had said some particularly hateful things to you. How do you feel about Twitter and the interaction it provides with fans of all these schools?

TG: Fans are going to be fans. Some will hate you and some will love you.

You’ve got to deal with it. Haters are my motivators. You’ve only got one life to live, and I think it’s important to live it to the fullest.

CM: What has been the greatest accomplishment for you thus far in

your high school football career?

TG: Definitely the state title. There were so many smiles on so many faces. It was a great feeling.

CM: Who’s your favorite pro quarterback?

TG: Favorite pros… Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick CM: I know you’ve stated that right now your focus is on your high school career, and you’re going to wait to commit. But, do you have a favorite college at this point?

TG: I like a lot of the schools. I’ll have a top ten/top fifteen on May 5th.

CM: So, you’re not ready to name a particular favorite at this point?

TG: No, not yet.

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By Brandon Rush

HEY WILL WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE After spending four seasons in Morgantown, West Virginia Will Clarke spent NFL Draft weekend at his home in Pittsburgh waiting on the phone to ring. With the third round underway,when a phone call came in from a Cincinnati area code, Clarke knew he was set to be a Bengal.

“It’s a great city. It’s funny growing up as a Steelers fan, I’ve watched a lot of Cincinnati football,” Clarke told WVUSports.com Greg Madia, “They’ve always had great players come through that program. It’s not hard to get excited about playing there.”

Clarke wasted no time in joining his new team. The day Organized Team Activities began, the ink on Clarke’s four yearcontract wasn’t even dry yet, but Clarke was on the field hoping to carve his way into a tough Bengals defense.

At 6-6, 271 pounds, Clarke hopes that his burst off the line can help him make an impact as a rookie.

“I am a versatile and balanced player, a guy that can get in the backfield and make disruptive plays,” said Clarke who notched 110 tackles as a Mountaineer including 9.5 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss.

His length is an asset, and with still some room to add weight to his frame Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther believes they can bulk Clarke up to 290 and still be effective.

Clarke reminds a lot of people of former Bengals end Michael Johnson who recorded 26 sacks in Cincy before joining Tampa Bay. Clarke will open the season on the depth chart battling with another lanky end in second year player Margus Hunt, while learning the ropes from veterans Jayson Geathers, WallaceGilberry, and Carlos Dunlap.

“He’s going to be able to learn from those guys and get an opportunity to get in the mix,” said Bengals defensive line coach Jay Hayes, “He’s a big guy, we really think in time he

can develop into exactly what we need for our scheme.

The Bengals, when healthy, might have one of the best front seven units in all of the NFL, if Clarke can get into the rotation along that defensive line, he can only help to contribute for a team that is looking for their first playoff win since 1990, a fulleighteen months before Clarke was born.

Clarke shot up a lot of teams draft boards after playing in the East West Shrine game which earned him an invite to the 2014 Senior Bowl with his physicality in the practices during the week and his game film.

“There were a lot of questions surrounding my level of play,” Clarke told ESPN during the Senior Bowl, “so I hope I was able to answer a lot of questions about that.”

After being drafted, a lot of those questions were answered, now the big question is when will Clarke be able to make an impact for the Bengals?

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Hottie of the Month

Lesley

Bazant

by Ashley Derthick

Name: Lesley Bazant Age: 29 Hometown: The Colony, Texas Current City Living In: Dallas, Texas College Attended: Cal State Fullerton Major Obtained: Bachelor of Psychology Current Occupation: Model Dream Job: To travel the world modeling, meeting new people and learning about other cultures.

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Sports You Have Played: I grew up playing soccer.

Although I am 5’11 and everyone asks me if I played volleyball or basketball, I was not very good at either of those.

been a huge fan since I was a little girl and learned to moonwalk when I was 7! He left a huge impact on this planet. I truly believe there will never be another like him.

Favorite Sport: Football, Basketball Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks of course!

Favorite Athlete: Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams (a fellow Texan from my hometown and high school)

Who do you look up to?

Anyone who has followed their dreams, and made them a reality and become successful. Or anyone following their dreams. Struggling, but not giving up. So many people let fear stop them from almost everything! They stay in one place, or in a rut in their lives because they are afraid of change or of taking a chance. I admire the people who inspire others and themselves to take the giant leaps in life and grow as a person.

Favorite Moment in Sports: Probably when the Mavericks swept the Lakers in the playoffs Especially since I was living in California at the time. “sweep sweep” Hobbies/Interests: Poker, Modeling, traveling, fitness If you were stuck on a stranded island, what three things would you bring and why?

Vodka, ipod, and a flare gun. I would love to be on a stranded island all by myself! Give me some good music and a few cocktails and I’ll be set. But once I run out of vodka and battery on my ipod, I’d need to get outta there haha, at least to re-stock Guilty Pleasure: Sweets! and boneless buffalo wings Favorite TV Show: Hmm, there are a few! Big Bang Theory, New Girl, American Horror Story If you could go to dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

Although he has passed on, Michael Jackson. I have

If you could be famous for something what would it be and why?

I would love to be an inspiring fitness figure. Helping people gain self confidence from taking action and becoming more healthy and educated in the gym and in the kitchen.

What type of music is on your playlist right now?

At the moment all I love listening to is Electric Dance Music. It either pumps me up for the gym, the runway, or for a night out with friends What is something most people do not know or would be surprised to find out about you? I am Czech, I can moonwalk, I don’t have a middle name. My full name is Lesley-Anne Bazant, and I will kick your butt in some Texas hold em!

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What the Green Bay Packers Have to do to

Get To Arizona

By Olivia Harlan, Pick6 Mag It’s been four years since the Green Bay Packers won a Super Bowl, and they can still smell the sweet scent of success of the Lombardi Trophy. The team is hungry. With arguably the best quarterback in the NFL finally healthy after breaking his collar bone last season and returning late in the year, one of the most explosive young running backs in the league, and an exceptional receiving corps, the Packers are ready to make another run in 2014.

An 8-7-1 record last year was somewhat disappointing.

A season-ending three point playoff loss at home against rival San Francisco was the salt in the wound. All things considered, Head Coach Mike McCarthy remarkably coached his depleted

team to a playoff appearance and third consecutive NFC North title. How did Green Bay badger through the attrition?

In October, then leading receiver Randall Cobb broke his leg in a game against Baltimore, missing a majority of the season. The next week, tight end Jermichael Finley was carried off the field on a stretcher, later diagnosed with a spinal cord contusion. Two weeks after that, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked by Chicago’s Shea Mclellin on a Monday night at Lambeau Field, and was sideline-bound after just eight games. The team scrambled for a backup to Rodgers with Seneca Wallace, Scott Tolzien, and finally Matt Flynn, but his were big cleats to fill. However, they managed to win the season finale in Chicago

to capture the division and a playoff spot.

Green Bay’s offense has been built around the centerpiece Aaron Rodgers. This year, Coach McCarthy and General Manager Ted Thompson have stressed the importance of putting Rodgers in the best position to succeed. His health is imperative to a Green Bay winning season, and with the weapons surrounding him in Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Eddie Lacy, Rodgers has options and talent to rely on.

The offensive line took a hit at camp with the loss of guard/ tackle hyrbid Don Barclay. Barclay, a versatile third year player for the green and gold, suffered a knee injury. Green Bay is now using two players to do the work

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of one with guard Lane Taylor and tackle Derek Sherrod. Before Barclay’s injury, Coach McCarthy commented on the stability and consistency of the offensive unit.

The line features veteran guards Josh Sitton and TJ Lang. David Bakhtiari is in his second year at left tackle, while JC Tretter is the new center, the fourth in four seasons for Rodgers. With the task of protecting a Super Bowl MVP and franchise star, the offensive line will need the stability and security Coach McCarthy previously anticipated.

In terms of passing options, Green Bay is finally stacked. The last two years have not been kind to the receiving corps with the retirement of Donald Driver and loss of free agents James Jones to Oakland and Greg Jennings to Minnesota. Seven year Packer Jordy Nelson signed a four-year, $39 million contract extension, solidifying his role as Rodger’s number one target. Number two receiver Randall Cobb is healthy and eager to prove his value in his upcoming contract year.

The slippery slot player showed his potential at camp, but the preseason could be the time to shake off the lingering cobwebs of an injury-filled 2013. For the third receiver, camp set the stage for a battle between Jarrett Boykin and rookie Davante Adams, a competition Coach McCarthy said would be a good race.

The tight end position is an area of concern in Green Bay following the Finley injury. At camp, Andrew Quarless, Brandon Bostick, and Ryan Taylor put in reps, not without concern about injuryprone Quarless and his overall consistency. Former Packer pro bowl center and current team radio analyst Larry McCarren told me on the sidelines that Quarless has not

emerged yet as the team had hoped.

As the staff continues to assess, they consider rookie Richard Rodgers from University of California. Rodgers, a physical specimen and prototype tight end, showed big potential at camp and could be a viable option.

With Green Bay running some two and three tight end situations, the team will need the star power and play making ability they had with Finley. They will keep four and as many as five tight ends.

Running back Eddie Lacy charges into the 2014 season with a pro bowl appearance, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, and Sports Illustrated cover to hang his hat on. He’s had a far better start than last year after being targeted for too much off-season weight gain. I saw his camp play in both of his years in Green Bay, and I believe his consistently humble attitude and desire to learn make him a coaching favorite. His pure talent is second to his vocal questioning and “let’s try it again” approach. I overheard him correcting himself after a poorly executed run, and referring back to successful routes from the previous season. The importance of Lacy’s receiving and pass protection assignments are crucial to the direction the Packers are headed. With Coach McCarthy’s emphasis on picking up the pace and balancing his offense this season, Lacy’s role has grown in a third-down package, allowing for a quicker tempo for Rodgers and company. The Packers are “all in” on the no huddle, attempting to reach a record breaking 75 plays per game, better than the Bronco’s averaged 72 and Patriot’s 71. Expect a lot of no huddle, meaning more three down players on offense.

Jumping across the line of scrimmage, one name every Packer fan and opponent will know this season is Julius Peppers. The highly

decorated ex-Bear and former pro-bowler brings versatility and options to Dom Capers’ defense.

Fans will see him standing upright as well as his hand in the dirt, lining up on the outside and inside. Playing defensive end his entire career, the 34-year-old enters new territory as an outside linebacker in the Packer’s 3-4. It’s a “pick your poison” situation with him and Clay Matthews that will stretch and confuse offenses. Peppers impact on the squad could be huge for a defense that ranked 24th in the league last year.

The other name on defense that is not only one to know, but hard to forget is Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The first round rookie from Alabama was a big snatch for Green Bay, but remains on the heels of Micah Hyde. Hyde switched from playing corner last year to safety. ClintonDix impressed at camp, proving his physicality and athleticism, and will help tremendously in stopping the run. As strong safety Morgan Burnett worked through minor oblique strains through camp and into the preseason, Clinton-Dix got sound reps on the field with Hyde and the first team defense.

Fans can expect to see him used in nickel situations, and as a close back up to Micah Hyde.

With last year’s obstructions far behind them, the team is on the rise and the favorite for a fourth consecutive NFC North title.

They have addressed their gaps and question marks going into the preseason, and will continue to work out the kinks. Based on talent and names on the back of jerseys alone, this team has potential to win in 2014. Add a touch of McCarthyism and his hard-nosed football approach, and Green Bay could see the Lombardi Trophy in February.

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From Academically Ineligible to D-1 Recruit

Antonio THE STORY OF

By Cody McClure

Kanonu Antonio Kanonu hasn’t played a down of organized football since he was in junior high. He didn’t focus on keeping his grades high enough to play high school football, much less anything beyond that. His test scores and GPA suffered tremendously. Now, the 6-foot, 155-pound wide receiver is being heavily recruited by the Arkansas Razorbacks and has received interest from Alabama, LSU, Southern Miss and UCF, among others. This is his story.

The name Kanonu is derived from Africa, and Antonio inherited it through his grandfather, a direct descendant from the continent. Antonio Kanonu resides in Lafayette, Louisiana and has grown up with an impeccable love for sports.

Athleticism has been a key component in his genetically blessed family. His mother was a track star in high school. His father was a football star. His aunt played collegiate sports and even his younger sister runs track. Kanonu’s family knew all along that he had potential to be a star and instilled a “never quit” mentality in him from a young age. Kanonu excelled in football in junior high and had a passionate love for the game with dreams of playing in college.

He also participated in track and field, where he was able to showcase his abilities. Kanonu won the Louisiana state championship for high jump and even participated in the Junior Olympics, where he was nationally ranked.

Unfortunately, his dream of playing football at the collegiate level came to an abrupt halt by the time he got to Northside High School. Kanonu’s academic marks were so low that he didn’t even bother signing up for football, because he knew he wouldn’t be able to play. Kanonu stated: “I feel I’m on a different path than everyone else after not playing in high school. I never got in much trouble with the law or anything like that, but I was hanging with the wrong crowd. My grades were slipping and I didn’t have enough motivation.” In fact, Kanonu was barely able to graduate. A few weeks after graduation and long after he assumed football was over for

him, Kanonu got a phone call. That was the day everything changed. Core 6 Athletes, based in Illinois, knew of Kanonu’s athletic history and invited him to a 7-on-7 football tournament.

Kanonu knew that this was his chance to right the wrongs and make his name known to football recruiters. With scouts looking on and highly regarded prospects participating in the tournament, Kanonu opened eyes with a solid performance, especially in the 40-yard dash where he ran a 4.43. He also had one of the camp’s best vertical jumps and showed an ability to catch passes that wowed evaluators.

Although he hadn’t caught a single pass in high school, Kanonu’s performance at the tournament in Florida attracted the attention of not only the Louisiana Bootleggers, but also coach Dewayne Coker from Alabama Sports Academy who helped open the doors of division one recruiting for the wide receiver from Lafayette.

Kanonu was introduced to coach E.K. Franks, a Louisiana native and director of recruiting at the University of Arkansas. Franks suggested that the best route for Kanonu to division one would be through prep school, and for that reason, he is now enrolled at Orangeburg Prep in South Carolina with plans to play this fall. Kanonu realizes that academics will be vital in his aspiration to play division one football. Because of the transition to prep school, Kanonu will be eligible to sign with a school on February 28th and be part of the 2015 class as long as his academic performance meets NCAA standards.

Kanonu’s current leader is Arkansas, which is no surprise to those who know of his relationship with Franks. Although he is considering other options, the Hogs will have a great chance to land his commitment in February. Kanonu’s story is one of true magnitude no matter where his journey may end. From junior high star, to being academically ineligible and never playing in high school, to becoming one of the SEC’s dark horse recruits, Kanonu is now ready and with 4.43 speed, he is a true diamond in the rough hoping to achieve success in the SEC. PICK6 Magazine

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