CIS Football Player Profile: Harrison Maloney, Bishop's Gaiters (25 of 26)

Source: John Edwards, Bishop's Sports Info

Name: Harrison Maloney
University: Bishop's
Hometown: Thurso, Que.
Last Team: Champlain College
Position: Defensive Back
Academic program: Business
Year of eligibility: 4
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205

Key stats 2010: 31.5 tackles in 2010 (4th on team)
Scored first career touchdown on a 22-yard interception return
Led Gaiters with four pass knockdowns

Awards & honours (since start of CIS career):
· 2008 QUFL Rookie of the Year
· 2010 Bishop's Gaiters co-Defensive Player of the Year
· 2010 QUFL All-Star
· 2010 Second Team All-Canadian
· Team East, 2011 East-West Bowl

PROFILE

Harrison Maloney enters 2011 prepared to take on the mantle of leadership for the Bishop's Gaiters. The fourth-year defensive back is coming off a strong 2010 that saw him become a first-time league all-star, a Second Team All-Canadian and earn a spot in the East-West Bowl.

Maloney has been a pillar of the Gaiters' secondary since 2008, when he was named the QUFL Rookie of the Year. While primarily a halfback, he has played all five defensive back positions in his first three years. In 2010, he finished with 31.5 tackles, four pass knockdowns and his first career interception return touchdown. "I expect a big year from Harrison," said Tony Addona, the Gaiters' head coach. "He is a great character guy, and an outstanding contributor as a player."

The Thurso, Que., native now finds himself one of the Gaiters' senior statesmen, after spending the first three years of his career alongside cornerback Nick Poloniato. "It is very important to have a seasoned veteran calming the troops down," said Addona.

The 23-year-old is ready to accept the challenge. "For me, it's just stepping up as a leader, especially for the DBs", he said. "Of course, having [Poloniato] beside me was great. He was a great guy and we locked it down pretty well. But now I have [Steven] Adu beside me, and we're working great together, too. There are always guys coming, guys going. It's just part of football, something you get used to."

"The team is coming along real well. I'm really impressed. The guys are really excited to come out and play hard and hit some heads."

Maloney credits the East-West Bowl with giving him a boost coming into this season. "It's nice to get out of the conference sometimes. That extra football in the summer, which is something you don't usually get in, it all helps. Getting coached by some great coaches around the league, you learn a bit everywhere and apply it to your game."

While Maloney is eligible for the 2012 CFL Canadian Draft, he has put that out of his mind for the immediate future. "I don't think I need to focus on that too much right now. I'm just going to play every game, game-by-game, and then there's a lot of offseason to worry about it.

"I'm just excited about every game that is coming up, every play, and that stuff will play it out when the time comes."