Michigan State University Athletics
Arjen Colquhoun: Breaking Barriers
10/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Matt Bontorin, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
When thinking of football hotbeds, the country of Canada probably does not come to mind. For generations, America's neighbor to the north has been known for its love of hockey, traditionally producing some of the world's best and most talented players.
The apparent disinterest in the game of football and the seemingly unfamiliar high school system has made it difficult for Canadian football players to be recruited to American college football programs.
Despite the absence of a rich football history, Michigan State starting cornerback and Windsor, Ontario, Canada native Arjen Colquhoun believes the culture is changing in Canada, and football is emerging as a competitor to the sport of hockey.
"Hockey is our main sport in Canada, but I feel like right now, football is the fastest-growing sport," said Colquhoun. "If you look at the direction it's going in, you see a lot of potential. Kids are becoming more aware and want to play football instead of hockey."
Despite breaking nearly every Windsor high school football record, Colquhoun still did not appear on the radar of many American college programs until late in his high school career. The difference between Colquhoun and many other talented Canadian players though was the support system around him.
Colquhoun's high school coach, Harry Lumley, has for years been committed to breaking down the barrier between Canadian and American football recruits. Lumley's track record of helping Canadian players get exposure in the United States is unmatched among coaches in Canada.
Lumley recognized Colquhoun's potential very early in his high school career and was committed to helping the talented athlete realize his dream of playing Division I football in the United States.
"Mr. Lumley is almost like a second father to me," said Colquhoun. "He really showed me the way and made me believe in myself. It went way beyond just a player-coach relationship. He's not doing it for the money, and he's not doing it for himself. Mr. Lumley is just a warm hearted, caring man and just wants to see people succeed."
Lumley had leveled the playing field for so many others before Colquhoun by introducing them to Amercian college recruiting camps.
"It seemed like every week I was going to a camp, and every time Mr. Lumley came with me," said Colquhoun. "I even missed my high school graduation to go to a camp. I wanted to be there though, I was willing to sacrifice whatever it took to be where I am today."
Colquhoun eventually caught the eye of the Michigan State coaching staff at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp in Detroit after running a 4.38 40-yard-dash. The incredible speed displayed by Colquhoun earned him camp "king" and the nickname "Canadian Flash."
With rumors spreading around the Midwest of the "Canadian Flash," one by one schools started reaching out to Colquhoun. The bridge had been crossed and Colquhoun was presented with an assortment of options to play college football in the United States.
Ultimately, Colquhoun went with his gut and decided to become a Spartan.
"I've liked Michigan State ever since the Javon Ringer days," said Colquhoun. "The way Michigan State carried themselves and the message that the coaching staff gave -- I just bought in."
Colquhoun enrolled at Michigan State early in 2011, but was plagued by injuries early on in his career. The talented athlete was forced to wait patiently for his turn to get onto the field but took every opportunity to absorb as much as he could from the likes of first-round NFL Draft picks Trae Waynes and Darqueze Dennard.
"Just watching those guys day-to-day on and off the field, you couldn't ask for anything more," said Colquhoun. "I had the blueprint on how to be successful. It was right in front of me."
Arjen Colquhoun's pass break-up in the final minute of the game against Purdue sealed MSU's 24-21 win over the Boilermakers on Homecoming.
With both Dennard and Waynes moving on to the NFL, Colquhoun entered 2015 with a chance to start at cornerback for the Spartans.
For Colquhoun, the pressure was expectionally high. Having to follow in the footsteps of Dennard and Waynes was a tall task, but one that Colquhoun was ready for.
"When you watch two guys do it in a row, you start thinking, why not me?," said Colquhoun. "I've put my best foot forward, and feel like I can make every play for the team."
With a string of injuries in the secondary, the Spartans have relied heavily on Colquhoun to step up and provide stability at his position.
The 6-foot-1 corner has not disappointed, leading the team with seven tackles and a forced fumble in a 30-10 victory against Central Michigan, making several key plays late, including a sack and a pass break-up, to help secure a 24-21 win against Purdue, and breaking up a pass in the end zone late in the fourth quarter at Rutgers.
The emergence of Colquhoun has played a significant factor in keeping the Spartans in a position for a bid at the College Football Playoff. Furthermore, Colquhoun's play has landed him on the radar of coaches at the next level. While the senior insists his focus is with the task at hand, he also is aware of where his solid play could potentially land him next year.
"You obviously think about it," said Colquhoun, who was named to the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List. "If you're not thinking about it then why are you going out there every day? I think about it because I want to perfect my craft. I want to be the best player I can possibly be."
As a Canadian, Colquhoun will be eligible for the CFL Draft this upcoming year and could join an assortment of former Spartans who have chosen to take their talents north of the border. Currently, nine former Spartans are active on CFL rosters, including the likes of Rose Bowl defensive MVP Kyler Elsworth and MSU's all-time leader in receptions, B.J. Cunningham.
"Being from Canada, I want to be a part of that growing success," said Colquhoun. "The influence of the United States is really changing the football culture."
Despite the evolution of the game in recent years, Colquhoun still believes Canadian-born players are at a disadvantage when it comes to college recruiting, but insists that programs need to give Canada a harder look.
"To the coaches out there who might not give Canada a chance, I just would tell them that there is a lot of raw talent," said Colquhoun. "There are kids who can run and jump and measure up to any kid here in America. The difference is a lot of these kids don't have coaches like Mr. Lumley who make their players believe that they can put themseleves in this position. There is definitely a lot of talent in Canada, it just needs to be developed."
If his playing career doesn't work out, Colquhoun has made it clear that he has several backup plans -- all made possible by his experience at Michigan State.
"I want to either pursue a career in criminal justice or even possibly become a coach," said Colquhoun. "I love kids, I love coaching and I love football. So I feel like I could do some big things with that."
Regardless of where Colquhoun's future takes him, he has expressed his overwhelming gratitude for his family, coaches and circle of friends for helping him live out his dream of playing Division I football.
"When you come across the border and you come to a univeristy in the United States, it's a whole different world," said Colquhoun. "This is so much different than the University of Windsor. It's almost surreal to live this life and experience how college is over here."
