Top football quarterback joins Lancers

By Mandy Matthews

A Caledonian football player is taking his chance at the University of Windsor.

Since Liam Putt was 15 years old, he knew he would be attending an Ontario University. He earned a $10, 000 scholarship after winning the Damon Allen High School Quarterback Challenge in 2012.

Just last week, Putt made the decision to sign on to become a Windsor Lancer.

Putt is one of the nation’s most touted quarterback prospects this year. Lancer head football coach, Joe D’Amore said this signing is a huge win for Windsor.

“As a program we are developing and people are starting to recognize us as a great location for students to attend,” said D’Amore. “But, at the same time, it kind of shows that our opinion amongst the league and amongst recruits is that, this football team is going in the right direction and people want to be apart of that.”

Former starting quarterback, Austin Kennedy threw for 39 games with the Lancers. He made a total of 15 touchdowns over his five years of play. Kennedy ended his University football career as one of the top in Canada.

“Young guys, young quarterbacks, need to just get into the mental side of the game,” said Kennedy. “That’s really helped me quite a bit; like I was never the biggest guy or fastest guy or anything like that, but I knew what was going on on the field. If you can replicate that and really have a good understanding of football and what you’re trying to accomplish, you can be very successful.”

Before ending his last football season at Assumption College High School in Brantford, Putt helped lead the team to be provincial champions.

He stretched his experience worldwide while playing for the OFC’s Hamilton Hurricanes and representing Canada in the Under 19 Football World Championships in Kuwait last year. The team finished second to the United States.

He first met Coach D’Amore in Texas last February at the International Bowl when Putt threw as D’Amore’s quarterback for the Football Canada Cup Under 18 National Team.

“The good thing about him (Putt) is: he comes from a very successful high school program. I think he only lost two games in his entire career in high school, so he has that winning attitude,” said D’Amore. “He is very competitive when he comes of the football field.”

Although, Kennedy and Putt are on the top of their game, they both came into it at different entry levels. Kennedy said he never played at an international or national level, but there is no substitute for playing in Canadian Interuniversity Sport games.

“They’re much different, Austin to him (Putt). Austin was very straight-laced and well spoken; likes to be that vocal leader,” said D’Amore. Liam’s more of a quiet kid, he kind of leads by example; goes on the football field and does the things that are necessary to win.”

“It’s a challenge for a rookie, no matter how good you are,” said Kennedy. “I experienced it myself. It’s very challenging to play at this level because of the speed of play, the quality of the players you’re playing against.”

Four quarterbacks will be throwing for this years starting position.

Putt did not respond in time to comment, but in a press release from the University of Windsor he said, “With Austin graduation, there is an opportunity to compete with the other quarterbacks on the roster for playing time early in my career rather than later.”

Putt also tweeted out a photo with Coach D’Amore and said, he was excited to start the journey.