The Guelph Gryphons are adding some NCAA Division I talent to their offence, landing a commitment from University of Toledo transfer Jaxson Zurby.
The six-foot-three, 200-pound receiver recently completed his freshman season with the Rockets, redshirting for the Mid-American Conference champions. The Port Dover, Ontario native was rated as the fourth-best Canadian receiver in the Class of 2022, checking in at No. 28 on CanadaFootballChat’s Top 100 prospects.
Also a high-level hockey player, Zurby played at Delhi District Secondary School, before jumping to Clarkson Football North Prep for his final two seasons.
Guelph has become a receiver factory over the past several seasons. Kian Schaffer-Baker was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and has generated significant NFL interest this offseason after catching 115 passes for 1,523 yards and seven touchdowns in his first two seasons. Kiondre Smith was taken in the fourth round by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2022 CFL Draft and started several games as a rookie, notching 17 receptions for 247 yards and a touchdown.
Current Gryphons receiver Clark Barnes was rated as the 13th-best prospect in the 2023 CFL Draft, according to the league’s September Scouting Bureau rankings. Second-year target Vyshonne Janusas was also named a first-team OUA all-star at the position in 2022.
Guelph finished the 2022 U Sports season with a 1-7, head coach Ryan Sheahan’s fourth season with the program. They are expected to take a step forward in 2023, as American quarterback Jake Helfrich — a transfer from the University of South Carolina — takes the next step in his development.
NCAA transfer receiver Kevin Mital was the best player in U Sports last season, winning the Hec Crighton Trophy and leading Laval to a Vanier Cup victory. The Gryphons hope that Zurby can have a similar success story in his return home.