Kolby Janssen is looking forward to the next chapter in his football career.
A Grade 12 student at the Estevan Comprehensive School, Janssen has committed to play for the Regina Thunder junior team. He expects he’ll be playing on the defensive line for the Thunder.
It’s the latest chapter for Janssen. He spent four years in the Penta Completions Estevan Minor Football system before graduating to the Elecs, for whom he has played the past three seasons.
Minor and high school football teams in Estevan aided his development with the opportunities they gave him to play the sport.
“I learned the work ethic because it’s a lot for high school football to play and make it to every single practice, which I did, and every game. It’s a lot to always be there.”
In his last year with the Elecs, he was named the club’s top lineman for his play on both sides of the ball, and he also won the Bryan Illebrun Memorial Award and the Players Choice Award for his contributions on and off the field.
High school football allowed him to make new friends and build up his conditioning.
“A lot of the teammates, for sure that’s a big part of it for me, and one of my favourite sports has always been football. It’s nice to continue playing it after high school.”
Janssen also played for the Sask. Selects team that competed at the Pigskin Classic in San Antonio earlier this year, a team that he wishes he had tried out for earlier. He was glad to be part of the program this year.
“I started all three games in Texas, which was nice, too,” said Janssen. “Not everyone who went there got to do that.”
Most recently played at the Senior Bowl for top Grade 12 football players. He played on the defensive line throughout the game, and finished with several tackles.
Many players at the Senior Bowl were players he knows through the Selects and high school football.
His team won the game 10-7.
Not only he is excited to play with the Thunder, but he’s looking forward to training at their facility in Regina.
He committed to playing for the Thunder following the team’s rookie camp in the winter.
“I had a really good camp, and they called me up to their coaches’ room and asked if I wanted to play with them,” said Janssen.
They said they were impressed with his movement on the field, and they also liked the results he posted in the gym and at the combine.
He believes he needs to continue to gain strength and improve his endurance.
