April 14, 2017

Prospect Profile: Qadr Spooner on the verge of making the jump

Arthur Ward/CFL.ca

TORONTO — Hard work and determination isn’t anything new for 2017 CFL Draft prospect Qadr Spooner.

In his hometown of Brossard, Que., Spooner worked hard in the classroom and on the field to keep moving in the right direction – a direction that may eventually lead to pro football.

“I didn’t always grow up in the best neighbourhood,” said Spooner. “But I always had good family and friends and I just stayed focused in my neighbourhood and really focused on school and football and kept me in the right direction most of my life.”

Spooner talked to CFL.ca in a one-on-one interview at this year’s combine, which can be seen below:

 

The offensive lineman is one of the top-ranked prospects heading into this year’s draft. He sits 13th on the CFL Scouting Bureau ranking. Spooner hopes his his intensity and ability to give it his all on every single play will set him apart.

“I play with a lot of tenacity,” he said of his own game. “I go at my guy at 100 per cent. I really try to wear him down from beginning to the end. I make him not want to play against me every single play he has a chance to. I take it really personal so I bring that game into how I play against my opponents.”

At this year’s combine, Spooner had the third best bench press – tied with Montreal’s defensive lineman Mathieu Dupuis’ regional result – with 31 reps.

The McGill University product is hoping his strength and willingness to do whatever it takes to make the jump to the pros will help his draft stock and put him on the radar of teams across the league.

“I’m a hard-working person,” he said. “I’m trying to get better every day and I think I have an amazing upside. I’m willing to get as good as I need to be to be able to perform and play in the pros.”