Skip to content

Hunt pondering spot at Rams camp

Graham Hunt won't win many foot races against his teammates, but he could be on track for a different kind of first.

Graham Hunt won't win many foot races against his teammates, but he could be on track for a different kind of first.A rookie offensive tackle in 2009 for the first Estevan Elecs high school football team in 36 years, Hunt was the lone graduating Elec to receive an invitation to the University of Regina Rams' 2010 high school evaluation camp.He expects to find out shortly if he impressed enough to earn a spot at the team's fall training camp later this month.The high school camp, which consists largely of players entering their senior years, ran July 26-29 in Regina."It is pretty sweet," said Hunt. "It definitely makes you feel pretty good about yourself."There are still no guarantees Hunt will make the team though Elecs head coach Marco Ricci said it appears the decision on whether or not to attend fall training camp will be up to Hunt.For his part, Hunt said he would be speaking with Rams head coach Frank McCrystal this week to discuss the opportunity.Rams training camp runs Aug. 21-25."They seemed to really think that I had potential," Hunt said of the other coaches at the camp. "And that's basically all you have to show at the camp. It's not so much about talent as it is about potential."If that's the case, says Ricci, then the Rams have a lot to gain with Hunt in the picture.He says a typical progression for any player right out of high school would be to red-shirt -attend all team practices and functions while not dressing for any games - for one season, serve as a backup the next, and possibly assume a starting role in the third or fourth season."He obviously doesn't have all the experience of playing a whole bunch of years, but sometimes that can play to his advantage," said Ricci. "What the Rams do best is they like to mould a young guy, work with him for about two years, and then have him start. And usually guys like that end up having an opportunity to play a big role for the team."Ricci also called Hunt a student of the game."I think Graham understood how important strength and speed were so he's spent a lot of time in the gym, watched lots of football, and learned from it."The Rams' 2010 CIS season begins Sept. 3 at Taylor Field when they host the Manitoba Bisons.Their regular season ends Oct. 29 in Saskatoon against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.