A former member of the Holland Hurricanes football team has been impressing those in the Canadian Football League ahead of the 2019 National Combine.

Jay Dearborn, Yarker, Ontario, a former defensive back with the Hurricanes from 2013 through 2016, has spent the previous three years as a student-athlete at the Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario where he has played football for the Carleton Ravens.

With the Hurricanes, Dearborn helped Holland College win three straight Atlantic Football League championships while also being named a league All-Star in 2015.

“I spent three years as a member of the Hurricanes and I wouldn’t have done it any other way. My third season is what really opened doors for me; I was surrounded by coaches and staff who cared about my development just as much as I did. Their continued support helped me deal with the pressure of playing my first game at Carleton, and even now, three years after graduation, the pressure of this upcoming weekend at the CFL Combine.”

Since graduating from the Industrial Electrical Technology program at Holland College, Dearborn has developed rapidly with the Ravens at the USports level.

Current head coach, Stephen Letner, worked with Dearborn as an assistant coach during his time as a member of the Hurricanes.

“Jay was a proven leader on and off the field during his time with the Hurricanes.  As a captain, it was a privilege to witness his development first-hand.  I’m not surprised at the success he’s obtained in recent years.”

Earlier this winter Dearborn attended the East Regional CFL Combine in Montreal where he drew attention with his results in the various physical tests, placing second overall in the combined workout scores.

Dearborn went on to finish first in the regional broad jump (11`1.12``), fourth in the shuttle drill (4.41), third in the 40-yard dash (4.74) and first in the vertical jump (41”).

With his performance at the regional combine, he’s been invited to attend the National CFL Combine where he will showcase his abilities in front of the nine CFL franchises.

“Right now, I’m trying to prepare for all aspects of the weekend. They use the testing to get an idea of your physical ability, and I’m hoping to improve my scores from last week’s Regional Combine. Equally as important are the player interviews. They take a different kind of preparation, and are way less predictable than the physical tests.”

On top of individual player interviews, the players at the National CFL Combine will be tested in the shuttle drill, three-cone drill, broad jump, vertical jump, 40-yard dash and bench press.

For more information on the 2019 CFL Combine, taking place in Toronto on March 22 to 24, visit www.cfl.ca.  The event will also be live streamed on the official website of the CFL.

To connect with the football Hurricanes, visit www.facebook.com/canesmfootball,  www.twitter.com/canesmfootball and www.instagram.com/canesmfootball.

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.twitter.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

-30-