Linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku’s successful season at the University of Memphis will be punctuated by an appearance in the Liberty Bowl on December 29, which will then lead him to the doors of the NFL in the spring.
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The former Élans de Garneau is preparing to conclude his university career in the NCAA and he hopes to become the next Quebec player selected in the Goodell circuit during the draft, from April 25 to 27.
His team finished the regular season with a 9-3 record and Cantin-Arku believes he achieved his individual goals, having been among the honorable mentions for the AAC conference all-star teams.
He finished the campaign with 72 tackles, a sack, an interception, two forced fumbles and a recovery. That’s not to mention a critical play he made when he blocked a field goal against Boise State on Sept. 30 to return the ball 80 yards for a touchdown.
“I lived up to the expectations I had for myself. I wanted to finish on a good note and I think I did well. Statistically, I had good numbers everywhere.
“The blocked field goal will always remain a defining play in my career. First of all, blocking a kick is very difficult, but usually, the guy who blocks it is never the one who will return the ball. The game was just perfect,” he said in an interview with The Journal.
It was yesterday, but it’s worth talking about. A big, big play from Quebec linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku with a blocked field goal and returned 80 yards in the Memphis victory. https://t.co/nkaW25fgA7
— Stéphane Cadorette (@SCadoretteJDQ) October 1, 2023
The NFL in the crosshairs
Photo credit: PHOTO SUPPLIED BY MEMPHIS UNIVERSITY TIGERS
The Lévisien knows that the next few months will be critical. After all, his good friend Matthew Bergeron went through the long process leading up to the NFL draft a year ago, which helps Cantin-Arku know what to expect.
Although he does not yet know if he will be invited to compete among the best graduates at the Senior Bowl or at the NFL evaluation camp in March in Indianapolis (Combine), he certainly doesn’t stop himself from thinking big.
“With or without an invitation, with what I showed on the field and the videos that the teams have on me, I’m just going to need a good Pro Day with good numbers. If I’m not drafted, at worst I’ll be hired as a free agent, but I’m sure I’ll get my chance,” he said bluntly.
One last important match
Photo credit: Archive photo, QMI Agency
For now, Cantin-Arku will focus on finishing his college career. His Memphis Tigers have completed the regular schedule and even if the AAC conference championship eluded them, they have the opportunity to redeem themselves in the Liberty Bowl, against Iowa State.
In recent years, several players have chosen to give up bowl participation in order to reduce the risk of injury in preparation for the draft. This is not the strategy that the Quebec linebacker intends to adopt.
“I’m going to bowl because I have an opportunity to finish the right way. It will also be a golden opportunity to play one last time in front of our fans in Memphis. Also, I am not in a “Power 5” conference. Having a good matchup against a “Power 5” team can give me the opportunity to go even higher in the draft. For me, it’s smarter to play,” he argued.
After the Liberty Bowl, Cantin-Arku will work hard at training in the Tampa area, where he will spend two months preparing for his Pro Day.
It is during this day in Memphis, on a date which remains to be determined in March, that the NFL teams will spy on him in various physical tests. In the meantime, he says he is satisfied with the progress he has made.
“We had a very close-knit team and coaches say that I was one of the good leaders they saw. I say this with all humility, but I am really proud of it. I put all the chances on my side to be drafted in April.
2023-12-04 21:07:04
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