CALGARY – The University of Calgary football Dinos wanted J-Min Pelley for the past three years, and finally got their wish. The team confirmed Pelley has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will attend the University of Calgary in 2019.

Out of Bishop McNally High School in Calgary where he was teammates with Dinos running back Jeshrun Antwi, J-Min was one of the top graduating players in Canada earning Canada Football Chat Top-100 status, and was heavily recruited by numerous U SPORTS schools. 

J-Min played his senior high school season for the Calgary Colts of Prairie Junior Football Conference, earning all-star recognition in 2015. He played for the Colts the next two seasons (2016 and 2017), once again earning all-star honors along the defensive line. In 2018 he played for the Okanagan Sun of the BCFC earning conference all-star status. While he was with the Colts he practiced with the Calgary Stampeders as a 19-year-old.

J-Min played in the Canada Cup in 2015 and 2016 as a grade 10 and 11 student. He participated in the International Bowl in 2016 in Texas with current University of Calgary offensive lineman George Hutchings. He was a member of the Canadian U19 as an 18-year old that competed in China and a member of the U19 team that played in Orlando, Florida in 2017.

At Bishop McNally he was his school's athlete of the year, playing football, rugby, basketball and track. This past season he was approached Manitoba, UBC, Regina, York and Carleton but made no officials visits as he had no desire to play outside Calgary.

"I wanted to play for my hometown, build my family and remain stable," stated the 6-foot-5, 325-pound Pelley, who will plans to take arts courses and major in psychology. "I used to come to Dinos games and looked up to playing at the University of Calgary." 

J-Min, 20, played his youth football for the Mavericks under Coach Kenton Leonard, the father of Dinos All-Canadian defensive back Deane Leonard. While with the Mavericks he won numerous awards in youth football.

"J-Min is an immediate impact player," said Dinos Defensive Coordinator Matt Berry. "He fills a position we are in a great need of. We will work to challenge him and push him to the next level. He is a very skilled pass rusher and is solid against the run."

-UC-