Cougar Football Sees Three Move On to Division I Schools

Three members of the 2016 College of the Canyons football team have signed National Letters of Intent with NCAA Division I programs, and will enroll at their new institutions in the spring semester.

Freshman wide receiver Marquise Brown is heading to Oklahoma University, sophomore defensive lineman Sione Taufahema will transfer to University of Arizona and sophomore offensive lineman Tyler Bjorklund will move on to Colorado State University.

Brown had a strong freshman season for the Cougars, highlighted by 12 total touchdowns (10 receiving, one kick return and one punt return) and 1,341 all-purpose yards in 10 games played. He finished the year with a team-high 50 receptions for 754 receiving yards, good for an average of 15.1 yards per catch. Brown also recorded 402 kick return yards for an average of 30.9 yards per return, and 182 punt return yards with an average of 20.2 yards per return. 

Taufahema anchored the Cougar defensive live from the nose tackle position. He finished his sophomore campaign with 24 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack, and was a force in the trenches.

Bjorklund, a two-year starter for the Cougars, turned in a string of dominant performances in 2016 while starting all 11 games at left tackle. His contributions on the offensive side helped COC runners amass a combined 1,333 yards on the ground and an average of 350.2 yards of total offense (121.2 rush yards/229 passing yards) each time out. 

All three players were named to the 2016 Southern California Football Association (SCFA) National Division, All-Northern League Team.