National Scouting Combine Feature: Jarrod Cann – Football Rugby and more!

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Jarrod Cann | Football – DB & Rugby | RugbyTown – Winger 

Instagram: @Rodiesel_22

Q: Tell us about your sports career and what the recruiting/scouting process was like?

A: My sports career has been a true miracle. From little league all the way through high school I was identified as a baseball guy. However, some time during my junior year my mom gave me words of encouragement to go off to college some day. I started seeking as many avenues as possible to get a full paid scholarship for a university. I decided to play football, run track, swim, and play baseball all in my senior year. I won the Afro American Sports Hall Fame (2012) award in my hometown as a result. Even with all the stats and accolades I had accumulated over the years I didn’t have a single offer to go anywhere. I dealt with politics, racism, and bias behavior the whole way. Mentors and only 1-2 coaches of mine worked diligently with my family and I, networking me into a prep school after high-school called, Fork Union Military Academy (2013). I excelled there after having to switch positions to running back. Still did not like the offers I received coming out of the academy, so I went off to Nassau Community College (2014) and switched positions to defensive back. I Did well at junior college and we won the title that year. Finally all the work paid off and I went off to Central Connecticut (2015) and had a very successful career as a defensive back where we won a conference championship. The process was and always has been mentally taxing. Even with all the talent and effort put in to contact every coach, I don’t believe I have ever done well in the recruitment department. By grace, I have always had just enough people in my corner to get it done. The true joy in the recruitment process comes from seeing just how much can grow from the adversity you’re faced with along the way.

After college I flew out to German (2019) to play pro football with a buddy of mine from college who recruited me himself. Even though I had not played football all of 2018. He told his coaches they needed to bring me on just because of the kind of leadership I brought to the team.

Did well that year and signed to another team however Covid brought that season and league to a pause in 2020. 

In March of this year, I was invited to the National Scouting Combine and was exposed to an entirely new sport, rugby. Since then I have excelled this past season playing for the American Raptors. As aforementioned one of the best joys that come from the scouting process in my opinion are the experiences and challenges  that grow you. This experience has grown me.

 

Q: Did you play in college and if so, who did you play for? What was your experience like?

A: I was a football player in college. I played for Central Connecticut State University and the experience was life changing. I learned so much about myself in my time being there. It’s helped me so much moving forward. 

“I was overly excited when I attended the NSC. I had not played sports in over a full year prior to this event. I was stuck working a 9-5 for a rental company and missing the only thing I really cared to do in this world. The only thing running through my mind was gratitude for the staff that put it all together for people like me. I expected opportunities to come from this gift but the presents was a little different this year. I never expected to receive half of the blessings that were presented to me over this past year.”

Q: What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?

A: I’ve learned to my true calling as a man of faith through the process of sports. Yes football and Rugby are great sports to watch but changing hearts through my testimony playing sports has been my biggest accomplishment.

 

Q: When did you first realize you would be a good rugby player?

A: I realized rugby might be a good sport for me after my first visit with team. I came out for a one day try out with them and just really liked all my teammates. I wasn’t even really thinking if I would be good at the sport itself I was looking for the types of individuals that I’ve previously played with on championship teams. That’s when I knew.

 

Q: How has your transition from football to rugby been?

A: The transition from football to rugby has definitely been eye opening. The sports may looks similar but they are really nothing alike. The culture is different. Football you train for maximum effort over short intervals. In rugby you’re constantly moving, switching rapidly from offense to defense so you train for more long distances. The transition was hard at first battling injuries but over time your body adjust and you learn efficiency.

Ultimately the transition has helped me see my priorities better and motives for certain actions. 

 

Q: What has been the most challenging part of learning and playing rugby?

A: The hardest part about trying to learn rugby is trying to learn it from too many people. In your quest to learn you may have many different people and coaches telling you how to play the game and perform certain actions. You’ll have to discern between who actually knows what they are talking about and who does not and mold it to your game 

 

Q: What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from your coach(es)?

A: My college S&C coach, Coach E used to have a saying. What are you going to do when a 800 pound gorilla jumps on your back? Will you keep fighting or will you give up. That message has always stuck with me and helped me just keep moving forward when I feel like I have nothing left to give.

 

Q: What has been one of the most memorable plays of your career at any level?

A: I was going up against this 235 lbs. hard nose running back all game at Nassau. I came out of my T step and shot out like a cannon from hell absolutely knocked this kid out cold, recovered the fumble and then proceeded to knock out the second string running back the following series.

 

Q: Who was the best player you played against anytime during your career?

A: Nate Robitaille

 

Q: What were your thoughts and expectations when you attended the National Scouting Combine?

A: I was overly excited when I attended the NSC. I had not played sports in over a full year prior to this event. I was stuck working a 9-5 for a rental company and missing the only thing I really cared to do in this world. The only thing running through my mind was gratitude for the staff that put it all together for people like me. I expected opportunities to come from this gift but the presents was a little different this year. I never expected to receive half of the blessings that were presented to me over this past year.

 

Q: Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back” or ”pay it forward” in your community?

A:  I have done a ton of work with highschool athletes in my hometown and Germany . The Anne Grace charity, Bone marrow donations, the list goes on.

I give back regularly to the community through works of the church also

 

Q: If you could make a positive impact on all of society what would it be and why?

A: To spread the Love of God and his Son because I believe his message and Word to be true.

 

Q: Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?

A: My mother (SHERRY) has been the most incredible and influential person in my life.

 

Q: What advice would you give athletes looking to continue their career at “the next level”? 

A: The best advice I would give anyone is learn yourself in the lenses of Christ, by his word. 

 

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National Scouting Combine Posts

“I would like to start this message by thanking you and everyone involved who made this opportunity possible. I am truly grateful for the experience and atmosphere you’ve cultivated through the National Scouting Combine. My journey has not been an easy one by any means. Losing my mother in 2017 to cancer, losing the house my brothers and I called home before attending this very event in 2018, and completely bombing the event left me completely shot mentally. This event that just took place gave me the motivation and hope for better days. That is exactly what has been provided to me. Opportunities I never considered have presented themselves to me with each passing day. WWE contract offers, Rugby offers, and NFL scout inquiries about what kind of man Jarrod Cann is, are just the first of many opportunities that were made real through my participation in your event! Thank you for allowing me to tell my story on such a platform and allowing me to save lives with my story.”
Jarrod Cann
Jarrod CannRB, Central Connecticut State
“The National Scouting Combine was a great opportunity for me to get official test numbers and get my information out to teams and scouts to gain necessary exposure. It is always a big challenge for athletes to get official verified numbers but the National Scouting Combine gave me this opportunity. The entire staff works with the players to put them into the best position to succeed. They give players opportunities to promote themselves on and off the field. They have a setup to do all combine tests and to perform official position drills. The event also allows for players to gain useful contacts with teams and National Scouting Combine staff members to further promote themselves. The National Scouting Combine provided me with a chance to showcase my abilities as a free agent and put myself in a good position to have success in my pursuit to play professional football. I want thank the National Scouting Combine staff for giving players this unique chance to demonstrate their skills.”
Chris Bury
Chris BuryTE, Notre Dame
“I had a great experience at the combine. The whole staff was extremely positive and really wanted the best for all of the players that attended. Being that I was a free agent and a season removed from NFL camps it was crucial for me to get new numbers to show I was still working hard. My only opportunity so far came from a scout who attended the combine. As players that’s why we attend these events, to be seen by the pro levels. I’m very greatful for the opportunity that was came from the combine. I’ll be recommending it to every player possible in the future who’s looking to go pro.”
Dillon Salva
Dillon SalvaTE, Merrimack
My experience at the National Scouting Combine was an extremely positive one. Coming from a small school (Bryant University – Division I AA), opportunities to showcase my athleticism and measurables to pro scouts were scarce. However, Jimmy and his team gave me that opportunity when they put together a first-class event, in an outstanding venue and invited hundreds of players that had been overlooked or just wanted the opportunity to showcase their abilities. The connections, advice and coaching I received at the 2018 National Scouting Combine were priceless, as many pro scouts and coaches began to get in contact with me during and immediately after the combine. Jimmy and his team did an outstanding job of incorporating new, cutting edge technologies into the combine, while inviting well-respected coaches, scouts and former professional players to run the drills and provide coaching. Jimmy provided me with a platform to chase my dream of playing professional football that I would not otherwise have had, and in turn is part of the reason why many CFL teams took interest in me, why I was invited to Rookie Minicamps with the Jets and Texans and why I have now signed with the Orlando Apollo’s of the new Alliance of American Football League. The invitation to the 2018 National Scouting Combine was a blessing to me and my career and I would recommend any and all small school or overlooked college football player to attend and take advantage of this combine that, with Jimmy leading it, will continue to get better every single year.
Matt Sewell
Matt SewellWR, Bryant University
“My testimonial would be because of COVID-19, it has hindered my ability to showcase my talents at pro days, workouts, and tryouts. But, because of the NSC I can still send official numbers and video to each team, while also gaining the opportunity to meet scouts in face and build a relationship with them. Lastly, the NSC is second only to the NFL combine which helps me have something else to hang my hat on as one of the top performers!”
Jamal Ware
Jamal WareLB, Maryville College
“Thank you for the support and helping with promoting me for the next level. I am most definitely interested and my experience at the national scouting combine was incredible. It was my first official opportunity and it was a professional combine. All verified, legitimate laser times and numbers are vital to have especially in the times we are facing today. All of the coaches and personnel involved were professional in every aspect. It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to be apart of the national scouting combine and I can’t be more grateful to have verified numbers.”
Kyle Haines
Kyle HainesWR, Shippensburg
“First and foremost I would like to thank the NSC staff for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of scouts and allow myself to get relevant combine numbers. This combine is by far the best Combine I have been to. The rooms were great and the food that was provided by NSC was great as well. You can feel that they had a passion for helping those who may not have had an NFL Combine invite and others who are just chasing that opportunity. They were extremely supportive and willing to market the players in every way possible. I was beyond impressed with the testing once we got going. Everything was very organized and professional just as it should be. When it came to the testing they had both hand time and laser time which makes your test times that much more official. The number of scouts that attended the Scouting Combine was even better. This staff truly knows how to put together a legit A+ combine experience and was by far the best combine experience I have been a part of.”
Nolan Saraceni
Nolan SaraceniRB, Montana Tech
“I was fortunate enough to be a participant in the 2020 BSN Scouting Combine as it was an experience that I will surely never forget. Not only did it open opportunities for me to play football at the professional level, but it also shed light on my path to a football dream as an underdog. Not many athletes get this sort of opportunity and I am just blessed to have been apart of it.”
Tyler Anderson
Tyler AndersonRB, Thomas More University
Pursuing a career in professional football from a small school is a lonely path. A prospect may have the support of his peers, family, and teammates, but the process can be overwhelming and very confusing. Often times small school prospects don’t have access to the resources provided to prospects at football powerhouses. “How can I get myself in front of scouts? How can I prove to them that I can play at the next level?” These are only a few of the many questions that race through a potential prospects mind on a daily basis. The Beyond Sports Network National Combine helped simplify this process for many of the players that attended, including myself. Despite the combine being held for a few days, the information and services provided by the combine, as well as the sense of community between the staff members and prospects stood out to me. Every test that would be performed at the NFL combine was covered, every coach and staff member supported each prospect to an unbelievable extent, and the amount of scouts and agents in attendance and how interactive they were was impressive. The Beyond Sports Network National Scouting Combine was a critical step in attempting to take my talents to the next level. If you are a small school prospect with no clear path to the next level, the National Scouting Combine will certainly clear up the path for you.
Schnayder Termidor
Schnayder TermidorLB, Ithaca College
BSN gave me the platform I needed to be respected as a athlete. I came to there first Combine in 2010. I was pulled by every NFL, CFL scout. At that time there were a couple really good WRs including a SEC top WR who NFL scouts were coming to see. Once I put up good #s in my Testing Drills, we did one on ones. I showed my great covering skills to the point all the scouts herd the WRs talking and asking who was this guy. Then BSN promoted me and my numbers and I received workouts on all levels. I became a name in the business. Having legit numbers and respectable organization backing you is what you need. Everyone can say they can play and perform but coaches and scouts don’t believe you. BSN gives you the stage to perform and prove them wrong and get the opportunity you deserve. Because of BSN I was able to create a long professional career and when needed comeback to prove I could still play at a high level.
Cedeno Patrick
Cedeno PatrickLB, Delaware State
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