When heB次元官网网址檚 not bursting by defensive linemen, stiff-arming linebackers or barrelling over safeties, the B.C. Football ConferenceB次元官网网址檚 leading rusher enjoys the quiet and tranquility of gardening.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 peaceful. ItB次元官网网址檚 time to myself, time to think and time to reflect,B次元官网网址� says Jamel Lyles, the first-year Westshore Rebel whoB次元官网网址檚 quickly, and literally, becoming a runaway candidate for the leagueB次元官网网址檚 Outstanding Offensive Player award.
Perhaps it shouldnB次元官网网址檛 come as a surprise. Lyles, often the loudest guy in the room according to his teammates, is also deeply reflective.
His determination isnB次元官网网址檛 spurred on by the typical athlete narratives; the doubting high school coach, the college recruit that says heB次元官网网址檚 never going to make it or the prospect of fame and fortune. Then again, Lyles does say his ultimate goal, however lofty, is to play in the NFL and make the Hall of Fame.
None of these are a part of the conversation when I ask Lyles to explain his list of motivations. Instead, itB次元官网网址檚 the plight of others that inspires him.
B次元官网网址淥ne thing that really gets to me is kids with disabilities from birth. They never really got the opportunity to be able to pursue different things B次元官网网址� They never got to experience sports to the fullest. ThatB次元官网网址檚 always in the back of my head whenever IB次元官网网址檓 strapping up or IB次元官网网址檓 in the weightroom.B次元官网网址�
Lyles, while engaging and thoughtful with his answers, is mostly quiet and reserved throughout our pre-practice interview.
According to his teammates, thatB次元官网网址檚 only how he is when meeting someone new. In the locker oom, Lyles is bursting with energy. Confident, but never cocky.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 loud. You know when JamelB次元官网网址檚 in the building,B次元官网网址� says receiver Lerenzo Ihanza. B次元官网网址淗e has that presence thatB次元官网网址檚 hard to miss.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 very enthusiastic. When he gets into something, heB次元官网网址檚 in it,B次元官网网址� says guard Christian Krause.
On the field, Lyles has virtually transformed a Rebels team that floundered in 2015, scoring just 205 points in a 2-8 campaign. The team is sitting firmly in second place at 4-1 following last weekendB次元官网网址檚 47-23 win over the Valley Huskers in Chilliwack.
His speed, power and versatility B次元官网网址� Lyles returns kicks and filled in as a defensive back in Weeks 1 and 4 B次元官网网址� makes him a weapon in multiple facets of the game.
In his first four games this season, he had piled up 697 yards and six touchdowns on the ground while averaging a chain-moving 8.5 yards per carry. His early season dominance had him a full 287 yards ahead of the leagueB次元官网网址檚 second-best rusher, Nate Berg of the Vancouver Island Raiders.
Blocking for him B次元官网网址渋s awesome,B次元官网网址� says offensive lineman Krause. B次元官网网址淵ou know heB次元官网网址檚 going to hit that hole hard B次元官网网址� You make your block and you know heB次元官网网址檚 going to read you right and get that big play when we need it.B次元官网网址�
Ihanza, tasked with trying to block for Lyles further downfield, has a different take.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 difficult. You donB次元官网网址檛 know where heB次元官网网址檚 going; he could go anywhere. He could be on the left side one minute and two seconds later heB次元官网网址檚 on the right side,B次元官网网址� Ihanza said, laughing.
Lyles credits himself with good breakaway speed and B次元官网网址渄ecentB次元官网网址� vision.
B次元官网网址淲hen I see a hole I like to hit it, and hit it hard and fast,B次元官网网址� he says.
Krause can vouch for that from both sides of the line. The Mount Douglas grad used to play on defence and line up against Lyles, then at Lord Tweedsmuir in Surrey.
B次元官网网址淗onestly, he probably hit me as hard as IB次元官网网址檝e ever been hit before,B次元官网网址� says the 6B次元官网网址�6B次元官网网址�, 305-pound lineman. B次元官网网址淚 met him in the hole one play and he dropped me.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 that physical aspect that Lyles hopes to continue to improve upon, which is probably the last thing his opponents want to hear.
B次元官网网址淚 want to be able to develop into more of a power back in a sense and put on a little bit more weight as I grow up,B次元官网网址� says Lyles, who is listed at 5B次元官网网址�11B次元官网网址� and 205 pounds.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a future he hopes will include the big stage of the NCAA and later the NFL.
Last year Lyles was named the 2015 Canada West Rookie of the Year after bursting onto the scene with 719 rushing yards and 130 receiving yards as a Canadian Inter-university Sport rookie for the University of Manitoba Bisons. He says the CIS experience was a good one, calling his year in Winnipeg a B次元官网网址渢urning pointB次元官网网址� for his career.
B次元官网网址淧laying in the CIS made me realize that I could probably pursue my dreams down south, maybe next season,B次元官网网址� he says.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 a big reason why he made the decision to join the Rebels, as playing junior football will save him a year of NCAA eligibility, leaving him with three should he get the opportunity to take his talents to the States.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
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