Freshman Josh Hyer has shown the potential the University of Calgary Dinosaurs coaches believed he had when they recruited the Vernon Secondary School Panther all-star.
“Josh is very coachable. He came to camp ready to compete for playing time as freshman and has great potential,” said Dinos defensive co-ordinator Matt Berry, of Hyer, who was a key player in leading the Panthers to the B.C. 2A Provincial final last season.
“He (Hyer) has the potential to play early,” said Berry. “He competes at every opportunity no matter who he is up against. The battles between him and Logan Bandy (freshman offensive tackle from Calgary) in one-and-one line play are daily highlights and are a bright look into the future.”
Hyer, a 6-foot-, 225-pound business student, enjoys going up against Bandy.
“He (Bandy) is very quick. He pushes me and I push him, I never had to go up against a player like him.”
The Dinos were aware of Hyer’s potential two years ago. Berry saw Hyer perform as a Grade 10 and 11 member of Sean Smith’s team. Josh also attended the Dinos development camp in August, 2016, ultimately signing with Calgary in October, 2016 receiving a scholarship.
“Camp has been good, the pace is very fast,” stated the 18-year-old Hyer. “I am just trying to get better each day, work hard on special teams,”
Hyer will see his first action in a pre-season game Wednesday in Medicine Hat when Calgary plays the University of Regina Rams.
A second Panther graduate, linebacker Carson Labrecque, is rehabbing from knee surgery and is a medical redshirt with the Dinos.