Name: Cyrille Hogan-Saindon
School: Laval University
Position: C
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 300
What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
At the beginning of the season, I wanted to make a positive impact for my team. I wanted to help the team win a National Championship. I wanted to win as many games as possible. I also wanted to perform at the highest level possible and be intense and aggressive each and every play. By playing that way, I earned myself a place on the league all-star team. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the championship (we got close), but our team learned a lot this year. I personally improved a lot over the course of the season, and I believe I’ve had a positive impact by giving my all on every snap. I also wanted to show my coaches, my teammates and myself that I could perform to the highest level under pressure. I wanted to show great composure and calm when we faced adversity. I am very proud of that accomplishment. I believe I did very well.
Q: How do you think you took advantage of the extra year of eligibility to increase your chances of going pro?
I think this year helped me a lot. I had the opportunity to show my skills and my athleticism. I showed I was aggressive, committed, and intense. I showed consistency on my snaps and on my effort. It gave me an extra opportunity to show professional teams that I can be an asset for them by bringing a solid work ethic, athleticism, aggressiveness, and intensity. Being named on the all-star team also increased my chance.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
I think everyone on the team would agree that I am a dedicated player. Either in the offseason or in season, I give everything I got to be the better player and teammate. I always train with a purpose, and I compete in every drill & snap. I have difficulty to stay still, I always want to be better and to improve. Players & coaches would also agree that I am intense, I want to win my battles and bring opponents to the ground and if not, I’ll get them next play.
Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?
When I am watching film, I am very attentive to the defensive scheme. I’ll try to identify the defensive front as fast as I can and identify the players we would block according to all our plays. I try to develop the fastest reflexes and the ability to identify as fast as possible on film so that I can identify faster during games. I’ll then watch the tendencies of the defensive linemen and linebackers I’ll face during the game. What are their moves, what kind of pressure they bring by situations, what stunts they do on each down? Ex: if the mike is mugged, do they love to bring pressure?
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
What separates me is my intensity and my work ethic. As mentioned earlier, I am the most dedicated and I am always trying to work on something. I’ll work on my conditioning and my athleticism by playing other sports and I’ll head to the weight room to be the strongest guy. I have a multisport background, so I am very athletic for a guy my size. I play with a chip on my shoulder, and it shows. I take nothing for granted and I want to show on each play than I am better than the guy in front of me. And if I am not, I’ll work, and work and work, until I am better than the guy. And trust me, I won’t stop until I am.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
At my school we have a very dedicated strength coach that take our preparation for combine & professional opportunities very seriously. I plan to train with him and our other draft eligible players. I was recently invited to the CFL National Combine at the end of the month of March, so I’ll focus on becoming a better athlete to improve my skills as a football player and my testing skills. I’ll work hard in the weight room, but I will also invest a lot of time and preparation for nutrition and recovery. I will also do a lot of film on my own.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
As I said earlier, I’ll bring intensity and work ethic. I will never be satisfied, and I will always look to improve. This determination and work ethic are two of my strengths. I am very motivated; I take nothing for granted and I have a lot the learn to become the player I want to become. I’ll also bring a lot of athleticism and size and football IQ. I’ll bring aggressiveness, the ability to finish blocks and my solid punch. On & off the field I’ll work to have a positive impact on the team to make sure we win. On the field, in the classroom and in the weight room I give my all.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?
If you want a guy with raw abilities, a lot of size and athleticism who is ready to do anything to help your team win, you should take a chance on me. I will always keep a clean record to make sure I am reliable for the team, and I will always be ready to learn and to improve. I have a lot to prove but I know have everything it takes to have a positive game changing impact on your team. I will compete each and every minute of each and every day to make sure you get the best version of myself as a person and as a player.