Myles Gibbon is off to play in American College Football

So, it seems that Gibbon will continue to be a cat, having already worn the uniform of the Collegiate AAA Vanier College Cheetahs, for the past three years. The full scholarship at Southern Alabama is valued at $100,000 per year, for the four years he'll be studying psychology at the university.

"I opted for Southern Alabama because of the full scholarship and the chance to play and develop as a quarterback. Education has always been my priority and I'm very glad that I found what I was looking for. Now, I can combine school and football," Gibbon proudly told Courrier Laval in a telephone interview. "I caught their attention (Southern Alabama scouts) at a pro camp. The coach wanted me as a quarterback," he added.

This will be the Jaguars first year in Division 1 NCAA Football. Myles Gibbon is floating on cloud nine. "I never thought it would someday happen to me. In all, the university granted 32 full football scholarships in preparation for its first year of NCAA competition."

Ex of the Chomedey Blues, Gibbon could quickly find himself calling plays for the Jaguars, without having to spend too much time on the sidelines. The 20-year-old Laval athlete wants to be the Jaguars first-string quarterback from the start.

"I believe I have a good chance to play. I would be the first Canadian to ever start the season at quarterback at this level of American College Football," he says with lots of pride. "I'll be disappointed if I don't play. I wouldn't be able to stay on the sidelines," he stated, adding that a lot of credit has to go to Ron Aboud, the quarterbacks coach who worked with him at Vanier.

To get ready for the season, Gibbon is going all out in training for the challenge. "I've put on about 20 pounds of muscle since I started following the Jaguars training program. The training manual is a veritable brick which has everything I need to improve my physical condition. I'll be in great shape by the start of training camp."

Gibbons will have to impress the Jaguars coaching staff, led by head coach Joey Jones, former pass receiver with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Damien Craig will coach the quarterbacks. "I'll have to work on my accuracy and long throws. I love to pass on the run. I feel very comfortable (doing that)."

In the meantime, Gibbons has to report to the University of Southern Alabama in a few days. He'll be getting a head start on his classroom work through courses he'll be taking this summer. "The institution is completely new, and so are the facilities. I'm really excited. I'm anxious to start my courses and the (football) season. Some people are both glad and sad about my departure for the States. My father (John) was always there for my practices and my games. I'm convinced he'll still be there," concluded the young man who has a burning football dream and a profound desire for higher education.