CALGARY – University of Calgary Dinos rookie receiver Zion Grant is making his mark in Canada West football despite his young age. 

The talented 18-year-old receiver ranks seventh in Canada West receiving with 269 yards on 23 receptions, including two touchdowns, after five regular season games. Despite his early success in Canada West and recording touchdowns in his last two games, Grant realizes he has work to do to get better. 

"The game is faster at the U SPORTS level, it's more physical, every play matters, and more is expected," stated Grant, whose parents saw him play his first conference game when the Dinos hosted the University of Regina to open the Canada West season. 

"I knew an opportunity existed for me in Calgary and this team was in a position to grow," stated the 6-foot-4, 190-pound graduate of the outstanding football program at Football North in Mississauga, Ont., coached by Jamie Lalonde. 

Playing at the next level is nothing new to Grant's family. His older brother, Kaion, is a star receiver for Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League and was drafted 13th overall by the Montreal Alouettes. His father, Karim Grant, also played in the CFL with Hamilton and Montreal after playing U SPORTS football at Acadia. 

Zion and Kaion Julien-Grant have three things in common: Both are playing football in Alberta (albeit in different leagues), both are wearing number eleven and both play the same position, wide receiver. 

So how did the native of Pickering, Ont. – the same city former Dinos Hec Crighton winning quarterback Eric Glavic – arrive in Calgary? 

"My brother spoke with Tyson Philpot. I knew Jalen (Philpot) and Tyson enjoyed playing in Calgary's system and in (this city)," stated Zion who enjoys the scenery in the Calgary area and saw the Canadian Rockies for the first time when the Dinos had a practice in Canmore, Alta., in August.

"Zion is an outstanding young man with a very bright future. He is demonstrating how dangerous he can be with the football each week and we are really excited about his future here," stated Dinos head coach Ryan Sheahan, who coached both Jalen and Tyson Philpot as freshmen in Canada West football.

Zion made official visits and offers to attend the Universities of British Columbia, McMaster, Guelph, Queen's and Wilfrid Laurier, but felt the Canada West conference with its travel and playing in different time zones would better prepare him for the next level.

-UC-