This was mentioned earlier today in a comment by GeeGeefan (see previous U of O post below). Here’s the University’s release about it.
Nial Both has 11 weeks left as a university athlete starting Tuesday.
The fifth-year cornerback will practice for the first time with the Gee-Gees, and could become the fifth impact transfer of a young 2008 season.
It is clear the 27-year-old, six-foot, 180-pound Both (name pronounced Neal Booth), who played two seasons at Wilfrid Laurier (2002-03) and two seasons at St. Mary’s (2005-06), brings instant experience after the Gee-Gees started a pair of first-year corners in its first two regular season games.
“I didn’t want to look two or three years from now and think ‘I should have taken care of this,’” said Both. “I talked to coach and we made it happen.”
Both found the Gee-Gees through friends in uOttawa defensive captain Joe Barnes and punter / defensive lineman Jason Peterson.
Born in Sudan and raised in Kitchener, ON, Both has his face deep in a new and complex defensive playbook preparing for a possible debut Saturday night against the winless (0-2) McMaster Marauders (7:00 p.m. The Score) in Hamilton.
“He’s another voice, another player showing how to get it done,” said secondary coach Mike White, who was defensive coordinator on the 2000 Gee-Gees Vanier Cup winner. “It will take some time to get the rust off, but he looks in great shape, that’s for sure.”
Both could become the fifth veteran transfer to start for the Gee-Gees in 2008:
1.Ivan Birungi, fifth-year receiver – 24, two-time AUS MVP (Acadia) led all receivers with three catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns in second start – a 71-3 home opening Gee-Gees win over York Saturday.
2.Ron Kelly, fourth-year receiver – 24, Six-foot-four St. Mary’s transfer Injured after three catches for 49 yards in week one start at Western.
3.Ian Hazlett, fifth-year linebacker / end – 23, Ex-OUA all-star and team MVP (2005) in four seasons at Queen’s; finished Saturday with one sack after moving to defensive end.
4.Sean O’Donnell, fifth-year centre – 23, Queen’s transfer has two career Gee-Gees startsas replacement for graduated CIS all-Canadian Kevin Kelly.
Both will be on the field when the 1-1 Gee-Gees practice Tuesday 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Sports Complex.
The 2008 Desjardins Vanier Cup will be played in Hamilton Nov. 22.
“I still have the football bug in me,” he said.