Saskatoon’s Chase Tataryn hoping hard work pays off at CFL combine

As a child, Chase Tataryn’s was like plenty of other kids when it came to sports – out on the ice trying to excel at hockey.

But during high school, the Saskatoon athlete decided to put on the pads and head onto the football field.

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“Growing up it was all hockey for me,” Tataryn said.

“I joined (football) because all my friends played it and I just wanted to be around my friends and hang out with them. I just joined because of that. Just kind of stuck with it, and it turned out I was pretty good at it. Just stuck with it through high school and then decided to come to the University of Alberta.”

Now, after four seasons with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, the linebacker will look to show off his skills to CFL scouts this weekend at the league’s scouting combine in Regina.

Chase Tataryn has spent the past four seasons with the Golden Bears. (University of Alberta/Submitted)

“I never expected to go to the combine. Even when I signed (with Alberta) it wasn’t an expectation of mine to make it here. It’s been really exciting to get invited here and I am looking forward to it,” Tataryn said.

The combine is one of the final chances for top CFL prospects to show off their talents to coaches and scouts ahead of the April 29 draft.

The former St. Joseph High School player credited all of his coaches for helping him reach this point.

“It’s been real fun and I’m really looking forward to showcasing my skills here,” Tataryn said.

“I had a young coach: Daniel Nesbitt, who is from Regina. He came into the U of A at the same time I did and he helped me grow a lot. Same with AJ Gass, who is the defensive co-ordinator. I think they both taught me a lot about football and what I need to be focusing on out there.

“I remember in Grade 10, I didn’t even know what an A-gap was. I’ve grown a lot as a football player, and my football IQ and all my skills I have developed through the years with the help of my coaches.”

Tataryn said he’s reached out to some members of the Golden Bears who went through this process last year.

“They’ve given me (advice) on how the combine will work, and just their experience through it. It has been pretty insightful,” Tataryn said.

It’s an added bonus for Tataryn that the combine is taking place in his home province.

“When I saw that I was pretty excited,” Tataryn said. “My family is going to come up for a day or two to watch practices… It will be awesome to be close to home in Regina.”

He said he hopes all the hard work has put in will lead to a call on draft day.

“That would be awesome. It would mean the world to me. It would mean all the work I had done paid off throughout these years. All these early mornings and late nights, it would make it all worth it,” Tataryn said.