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Future Pros: Canadian Ronald Hilaire

Future Pros: Canadian Ronald Hilaire

By Michael Preston

Photo Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics

Ronald Hilaire aims to succeed where all others have failed this weekend. The starting defensive lineman for the emerging University of Buffalo and his Bulls team mates plan to stop Canadian record-setter Jabari Arthur when they host Akron on Saturday.

Arthur became the Zips’ all-time leading receiver earlier this year and currently has 55 receptions for 726 yards and eight touchdowns.

Hilaire, who came up against former Vanier Prep standout Arthur when he played with Vieux Montreal Prep, is excited by the challenge.

“We are pretty good friends and I am looking forward to facing him,” said Hilaire. The two were team mates on the Team Canada roster during the 2002 NFL Global Junior Championship in New Orleans. Hilaire played in the tournament three successive years, excelling in New Orleans, San Diego and Houston.

“I am very happy for him and I know he has worked hard and he was a great player at quarterback at Vanier, so I am not surprised by his success. I have beaten him a couple of times, so I aim to help that happen again.”

The Bulls hope to preserve first place in the Mid-American Conference as Hilaire bids to add to the 28 tackles, two tackles for a loss, half a sack and two quarterback hurries that he has registered so far this season.

“We have shown this season that we can compete,” added Hilaire. “We did so at Penn State, even though we lost, and we have proved that we are for real. We are building every week and are in the driving seat in the MAC which is where we intend to stay.”

Hilaire came to Buffalo after impressing, as so many of his compatriots have, at a Ron Diaz All-Pro Camp. He is one of three Canadian linemen on the Bulls roster along with sophomore Bruno Lapointe (Lennoxville, QC) and senior James Judges (Pickering, ON).

Hilaire was a two-year team captain for Marc Santerre at Vieux Montreal Prep and tallied 50 tackles, 11 sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries his senior season. He was a two-time Collegiate All-Star team selection and won the state championship his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

“Buffalo and Rutgers both approached me while I was at VM and I came here for spring ball and really liked Buffalo,” he explained. “I wanted to come somewhere I could play and make an impact and make history at a football program that hasn’t had much success.

“This year we are doing that and after my redshirt freshman year I got to play right away, so I feel it was the right choice. It was on my mind that I wanted to play at the highest level that I could and while the CIS is good, it is higher here in the US. I also get my education paid for while I play football.”

Hilaire has a clear message for those players looking to follow him and the ninety-something Canadian players currently in NCAA football action.

“You always have to give 110 percent,” he advised. “Whether it is in practice or in games you can’t afford to take any plays off because the coaches demand maximum effort all the time. You really have to work for it.

“The main difference is football is 365 days a year and there are no real days off if you are taking it seriously. Being focused all the time was the biggest adjustment I had to make because the play is a notch higher.

“I grew as a player when I came here and started as a sophomore and have been a starter ever since. I’m very happy with how my career is going and this is my CFL draft-eligible year, so we’ll see how that goes.

“It is kind of weird to think I could be drafted and still have a senior year to play at Buffalo, but it is nice to have options when I graduate. The NFL is every football player’s dream, so I am still aiming that high.”

When his friend Arthur lines up in opposition on Saturday, Hilaire will be disrupting Akron’s offensive plays at the line of scrimmage rather than chasing the Zips’ star downfield. He knows which attributes he brings to the game to best put a dent in the Akron offense.

“I think my effort and my quickness stand out,” he said. “I’m 290 but I’m quick and I use my hands good. The coaches emphasize that we have to be first to the ball and I always try to make that play.”

Whether Hilaire or Arthur make the plays that count will be decided in New York State on Saturday.