Playing university football right out of high school isn’t a reality for every athlete. Whether it be a lack of exposure, a need to polish up on the fundamentals, or anything in between, the post-secondary approach simply doesn’t come naturally to all.

Over the years, many Winnipeg-based athletes such as Churchill’s Tommy Howes, Murdoch MacKay’s Derek Yachison, Sisler’s Dylan Schrot, Greendell’s Anthony Daley and Garden City’s Brendan Desjardine have chosen to take the junior football route instead – traveling to British Columbia specifically. Some of the rationale behind this decision includes the high level of competition, as well as the opportunity to live on your own and mature as an individual. Each of these players grew into dominant athletes in the British Columbia Football Conference, and received interest from university programs down the line.

In 2016, linebacker Jesse Zajaros opted to try this approach as well, heading to Kamloops based on the suggestion of Yachison – an alumni of the Broncos program.

Zajaros was a late bloomer to the game. He didn’t strap on the pads until grade eight, playing one year of minor football with the Transcona Nationals before making the transition to Murdoch Mackay’s high school team.

Despite being a standout at his position, as well as representing Manitoba at the Canada Cup, he received little interest from university teams, and thought that heading to BC would help him develop into a more complete player, while also being able to get valuable playing time immediately against players as old as 22.

“Right away, the first thing I noticed was the increased competition,” he says.

“You’re playing against guys that are a lot older than you are. Personally I loved it. I loved the rise in competition and there was also a better atmosphere than high school and more organization, which made you feel a bit more like part of the team.”

After a strong start to the 2016 season with 25 tackles in five games, Zajaros’s momentum was derailed, as he went down with a concussion that forced him to miss the remainder of the year. He went home at the end of the season and thought about quitting, based on the severity of his injury. But it didn’t take long for him to realize just how much meaning football brought to his life.

“[The injury] didn’t just change the game for me, it changed my entire life. It made me realize if I was going to do anything in life, either on the field or off, that I would really try to put 100 percent effort into it and make the most of the time you do have,” he says.

“For the first time I think I really decided that [football] was what I was going to put my heart towards and give my all towards, and it ended up working out.”

When the 2017 season came around, Zajaros was more motivated than ever, and it showed.

“I wasn’t sitting behind any guys, so I could really try to take leadership and ownership of the team which was nice,” he says. “A big goal of mine was to become a captain, which I did.”

The Murdoch MacKay product was all over the ball, finishing the year with 41 tackles. He was honoured with an all-star selection at the end of the season and was also named team MVP.

“[The junior football experience] was all about learning for me,” Zajaros says. “Originally out of high school I was expecting a lot bigger, faster, stronger guys and it wasn’t too much of a step, so the first thing I had to jump to was an understanding and a knowledge of the game.

“The whole 2017 season for me was learning the game itself and the what, where and why as opposed to being bigger, stronger and faster.”

Zajaros’s long-term goal was to make it to the university level, and his dream became a reality at the end of his second year with Kamloops. He had interest from Manitoba and UBC, but ultimately he chose to commit to the McMaster Marauders in the OUA.

“[Going to McMaster] is a great opportunity to explore Canada a bit more, and to get more life experience,” he says. “Things like that jumped out to me. [McMaster] has also always been a powerhouse program that everyone knows.”

Reflecting on his time in BC, Zajaros has nothing but positives to say. His journey is yet another example of what hard work can do for you, and to never give up on your ambitions, even if they don’t happen right away.

“I think moving away from your home province, for anybody is a great way to mature faster,” he says. “It helps you understand things you can do and can’t do and how to look after yourself.”