Layne Hull is no stranger to success on the football field.
From Willowbrook, he was part of the first generation of kids to play in the Yorkton Minor Football program.
Hull progressed and moved up through the age divisions, as most players do, and he eventually played for the Yorkton Regional High School senior football team. He graduated from the Regional in 2013.
Now 22, the linebacker has finished up his final season playing with the Okanagan Sun of the Canadian Junior Football League. He has been there for the past four years.
Although the Canadian football season has been over for quite a while, Hull got some time on the field last week at the CFL western regional combine.
He’s the first product of Yorkton football to ever be invited to the combine.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Hull, the Okanagan Sun’s MVP for the 2016 season. “I went to Okanagan and had a great year there. Then I was just waiting.”
He was waiting to hear if he’d get a chance to show his talent in front of the CFL general managers, coaches and scouts.
Hull said this was a life long dream of his. It made all of his hard work in both the regular season and the off-season worth it.
He took part in the combine on Thursday, Mar. 23 in Regina.
“The atmosphere was hard to describe – it was so surreal,” said Hull. “You’re meeting guys from all over the country, all competing for a job in the CFL.”
The combine gives hopeful players the opportunity to showcase their skills in various categories. Some of those include the bench press, vertical jump, sprints and drills.
Back at home, Hull’s former high school football coach Roby Sharpe said he couldn’t be prouder.
“I just love him because he’s just the typical Saskatchewan farm kid,” joked Sharpe. “He’s a big, tall, lanky, rangy kid, good speed, and really tough. As a high school player, he was the same way.”
Hull is the youngest of three boys in his family, and Sharpe said that’s one reason he’s become such a tough football player.
“We’re super proud of him and at what he’s accomplished,” said Sharpe. “He really worked for it. What a great kid.”
Almost walked away
Although Hull has always been a great player, he’s had his ups and downs.
One of those lows came during his final year of high school, when he went to try out for the Regina Thunder junior football team, and got cut.
“They were promising me the world in Regina,” explained Hull. “There were thirty-plus linebackers trying out, and you really only had one chance. I ended up getting cut, and I was bummed.”
So, Hull returned to Yorkton feeling defeated.
He said at that point, he was on the brink of hanging up the cleats to the sport he had become so good at.
“It was tough right at the beginning, because they promised me so much. I wanted to quit. I was like ‘okay, that’s it, I’m done football,’” said Hull.
Roby Sharpe, the YRHS football coach, said he remembers that day. He could tell at the time that his player was heartbroken.
“I pulled him in my office and told him he’s good enough to play,” said Sharpe.
Hull remembers the exact same thing.
“I’m thankful for my high school coaches,” said Hull.
Sharpe, as well as Hull’s family, encouraged him to keep going. And it’s a good thing he did.
Hull is one of the best examples of the phrase, ‘when one door closes, another opens.’
Right after that rejection, Hull received multiple CJFL offers. One was from the Okanagan Sun. He made the team that year, and he was a star for them for four years. This year he was the team’s MVP, as well as the top linebacker for the second consecutive year.
“Honestly, it’s been the greatest time of my life,” said Hull.
The future
Although Hull’s junior football career has come to an end, he’s far from done. He received a scholarship to play with the University of Regina Rams starting in the fall.
He’s also hoping to receive an invite to a CFL spring camp, which he’ll find out about in May.
But for now, Hull is back in the Yorkton area. His plan for the summer is to continue training for the next football season. He’ll also be working on his family farm, to keep up the reputation of being a “typical Saskatchewan farm kid”, as his high school coach dubbed him with pride.
