“I’m in a place that I prayed to be at.” Melique Straker’s journey from Brampton to Jonesboro
There are nearly 130 division one, FBS football programs across the United States, each team carrying rosters north of 100 players, making it a total close to 13,000 football players on FBS rosters. In each of those locker rooms across the country, it took every player a different journey to make it to where they are and where they are heading. A star wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide is guaranteed to have a different story than a walk on linebacker at Middle Tennessee. As for Arkansas State Red Wolves linebacker Melique Straker, not many can say they took a similar journey.
Coming from Brampton, Ontario, Canada it is already hard enough to make it as a division one football player. From the coaching, development and exposure to the surrounding talent and competition, there isn’t much help in Canada to get to the division one level. It takes a certain type of football player, and a certain type of person with a certain mentality to get to that level. For Straker, he has proven to be all of that since the moment he stepped foot on the football field, and from that moment he’s been focused on becoming the athlete he is today. “I definitely got serious about football right from the beginning.” he told JZ Media’s Jordan Zlomislic, “since I started playing I always was focused on a dream I had.”
Those dreams that Straker had were to go to the NFL, something he is now getting close to, but even where he is at now, at Arkansas State, it took a long ways to get here.
He started playing football as a kid in Brampton in club football. He remembers getting into football through his dad, and his older cousins. “My dad told me before my first football game, ‘you’re going to go out there and there is going to be a play where you get hit really hard and from that moment on you’ll figure out if you want to play football or not.’ And what happened was exactly what he predicted. I went out there, got hit, and I bounced right back up. From then on I knew I wanted to play football, and I knew I had something in me to play football.” He then went on to play at Saint Roch Catholic Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario where he excelled on and off the field, getting an opportunity across the Canada-USA border at Saint Francis High School in Buffalo, New York. In Buffalo he got the opportunity to play American football, get better and showcase his talents on a bigger stage than the one previously set for him in Brampton. Then, for his senior year of high school, in 2018 Straker returned to Canada to play for Football North, a high school football team in Clarkson, Ontario that plays an all American schedule. At Football North he played with a number of other athletes that went on to play division one football, and he remembers it as, “a great experience.” he said, “playing in the states against some of the best teams was a great way to get better, and I will always appreciate the time I spent at Football North because of the experience and everything I gained out of it.”
While a few of his teammates from Football North went on to division one schools, unfortunately Straker didn’t get an opportunity to play across the border straight out of high school, but that didn’t stop him from working to get there. Out of high school, Straker committed to Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where he played the 2019 U Sports season in Canada. That season he won the Carleton Ravens rookie of the year award, and made an impact for the Ravens despite the lack of playing time and opportunities.
The following Carleton Ravens season was then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and without a season to play, Melique Straker wanted to become better in football, and he wanted to take advantage of the time he had to make something out of nothing. That following summer Straker went to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to spend time and train with good friend John Metchie at the University of Alabama. He was able to train, workout, eat and be around the Crimson Tide facilities as if he was on the team, to a point where players forgot he wasn’t on the team when it came time for the staff at Alabama to help him through the recruiting process to play division one football. Talking about the time in Alabama, and how he landed the opportunity at Arkansas State University, Straker told Zlomislic, “I was around the team a lot. And it was a great experience to be around that program with (John) Metchie and my brothers. When I was there the coaches took a liking to me, really seeing a kid with a dream, a kid with aspirations and a kid that can play ball. They ended up getting some good film of me when I was there and started sending it off to other coaches and schools around the country, and when Butch Jones at Arkansas State saw my film and some other coaches, they wanted to see me in for a workout.” A few combine activities and drills later the name Melique Straker was officially affiliated with Arkansas State University.
In just one of his first games at Arkansas State, he made a big impact, making 6 tackles against power five opponent University of Washington, which was then followed by another 44 tackles over the season, giving him a total 50 tackles in his first division one football season, alongside 3 tackles for loss and a fumble.
That season for Straker, despite it being a huge moment for him didn’t seem like a ” ‘I’ve made it’ moment” he said because, “I was already there.” explaining, “even when I was in the process and working out that summer I was mentally already there. I was working like I was, and even if I wasn’t there at that moment I knew I was going to (be there).”
At that stage, playing division one football, fulfilling his dreams, he is taking full advantage of what he has in front of him and the journey he has taken will only help him on and off of the football field moving forward in his career and life. Talking about that journey; playing for three high schools, going to University in Canada, spending a summer in Alabama, and making it to Arkansas State he said, “it’s taught me to be emotionally resilient, to emotional resolve and allowed me to have a standard of performance, of things I do over how I feel and thats something that allows me to say that I’ve learned, I have made it farther. With this emotional resiliency, times are tough, you can be in practice and something doesn’t go your way, you could be in a game and things don’t go your way but life is all about how you respond so I think that football itself is a microcosm of life so the better you are at the game in controlling your emotions, doing your job, being consistent, having a staggered performance day in and day out, thats the biggest thing I’ve learned and will continue to learn throughout the journey and in football.”
Being at Arkansas State, he did talk more about just being there in the moment with a full season of eligibility following the 2022 season. He said, “I’ve learned to try and base yourself in gratitude as well so like as all of this is happening and moving so fast at times you have to re-set yourself sometimes and remember there was a time where you were and now there’s a time where I prayed to be at so I think thats on elf the biggest thing, now that you’re here, also being grateful for it.”
Grateful for everything that he has, and what he is still in the process of getting, Melique Straker has 6 games left in his 2022 season, and with the NFL on the mind and in the picture, expect nothing but greatness from number 21 for the Red Wolves moving forward.
JZ Media’s eyes on Houston at Memphis; Memphis Tigers highlights
“I live football.” Memphis’ Geoffrey Cantin-Arku working hard to make a name for himself from Canada
At the University of Memphis, and across the NCAA there are plenty of football players with plenty of different goals. Many have the goal of getting drafted into the NFL and making a name for themselves as football players, some want to be good in the class room and get their degree, and some even have goals of just being good enough to have played college football, and be able to play on Saturdays, but for Tigers’ linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku from Levis, Quebec, Canada, he has set goals for himself to not only be drafted into the NFL like many others have, but to also make his mother back home proud.
To be playing at the University of Memphis, a lot of sacrifices had to be made by Cantin-Arku. Moving across the border was one, and was something he did in 2019, first playing at Syracuse University, and another big sacrifice made by Cantin-Arku would be how he put aside any other possible hobbies to focus on the game of football, and the game of football only. In a sit down interview with JZ Media’s Jordan Zlomislic the Quebec native told Zlomislic, “I live football.” explaining, “I don’t really have any hobbies. This is all I know, and I love it. I’m a grinder, so you will always see me getting better, and I want to be as good as I can at football because of how much I love it.”
Coming from Canada, football wasn’t his first sport, hockey was, but after playing football for one season it didn’t take much for him to forget about hockey. “I fell in love with it right away. After that (season) I never asked my momma to play hockey again.” he said, “I think I liked football because I was good at it.”
“I was always taller, and built a bit more than kids my age so I was able to play football well.” Cantin-Arku told Zlomislic, “I played quarterback, running back, linebacker, safety, I played everywhere when I started. I even played on the line at edge. It was a good experience.”
His football experience continued through high school and took him to CEGEP where he played at Garneau. CEGEP for those that do not know is similar to a Junior College, or a Prep School, just located in Quebec, Canada, and not in the United States. “I played at CEGEP for three years, when I was 18,19, and 20 years old. I played safety all three years there and my CEGEP coach took me to a camp in Syracuse where I ended up getting my offer.” he mentioned, “it was my first NCAA camp. I remember the only thing on my mind going to that camp was that offer. They visited me twice I think in Quebec before that so I knew they were interested, but it was the camp that made them offer me and it was great to have that opportunity.”
From that point on, he played in a total of 30 games with the Syracuse Orange. Starting off as a freshman, he mainly played on special teams, making just one tackle in 9 games. In 2020 in his true sophomore season he broke through, making 63 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble for a score against Duke. With less playing time than he would have liked the following year, considering the snap count, he had an even more impressive season than 2020 with 43 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and a sack. If he had the playing time he would have liked in 2021, things would have been much different, and having been named Pro Football Focus’ 7th top rated linebacker across the NCAA, he would be heavily talked about around the NFL Draft. That is why he entered the transfer portal, and transferred to the University of Memphis in attempt to make a big impact on the Tigers defence and raise his draft stock for when it is time for him to enter the NFL.
Going into this 2022 season, Cantin-Arku was draft eligible, and he still is. With two good seasons behind him, one big season this year with the Tigers would make him a good prospect for any NFL teams in need of a linebacker. 5 games in, he’s made 20 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a sack. To raise his draft stock, he’ll need to have a solid finish to the regular season and a good playoff run with the Tigers, or he can return to the University of Memphis for the 2023 season for his final year of eligibility. Either or, whatever happens, Cantin-Arku’s goals stay the same.
He is focused on being the best football player to his ability, and wants to make his mom, and the rest of his family proud.
Cantin-Arku and the University of Memphis Tigers take on the Houston Cougars on Friday for their 6th game of the season in attempt to go 5-1, on a 5 game winning streak. Next week there will be more content from JZ Media in regards to Cantin-Arku so stay tuned.
JZ Media interview with Penn State Quarterback Christian Veilleux of Ottawa, Canada
Quindell Johnson; a leader on the Tigers’ defense “soaking it all in” as a senior
Going into his last season with the University of Memphis Tigers, there was a lot of talk around defensive back Quindell Johnson. Prior to the season he was being looked at as an NFL prospect, and one of the top defensive backs in the NCAA. To say the least, he’s done a good job of living up to the hype, and staying humble at the same time.
So far into the 2022 season, Johnson has made 38 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups and one forced fumble. With seven games left on the year, along with any playoff games to be played, Memphis’ Quindell Johnson has a good opportunity to prove himself to scouts at the next level, and make his dream of playing in the NFL a reality.
Johnson’s play on the field is what has helped him make it to where he is today, being looked at as an NFL Draft prospect, and the average football fan could mistake that as the only reason why he is an NFL Draft prospect, but a lot of it has to do with who he is off of the football field. He is smart in the class room just recently graduating in business management at the University of Memphis and pursuing his masters in sports commerce right now. But what really catches the eyes of scouts at the next level, as well as people at the next level in general would be his leadership. He has been improving his leadership skills ever since he joined the Tigers squad in 2018 when he was a freshman, mainly on scout team, on a team with key players like Brady White, Darrell Henderson, Patrick Taylor, Antonio Gibson, Tony Pollard, Kenneth Gainwell, Calvin Austin, J.J Russell, Chris Claybrooks, Jacobi Francis, and more, who either play in the NFL or have found themselves in good football positions following their time playing at Memphis. Talking about his early days at Memphis, Quindell told JZ Media’s Jordan Zlomislic, “coming in as a freshman I had the mindset that I would make a big impact right away, but when I came in I realized it was a bigger atmosphere, guys were way bigger than me, faster and stronger, so I had to really sit back and look at myself, look at what I could do compared to anyone else, nothing wrong with that, I just had to make sure I was ready, and prepared before I take that next step, so coming here was a journey.” and explained, “my freshman year, I didn’t play too much, did a lot of scout team, but going up against guys like Tony Pollard, Antonio Gibson, Patrick Taylor, and even Brady White when he was here, those guys, while I was trying to perfect myself, set up a good stepping stone for me because it gave me an opportunity to perfect my craft, the coaches seen it and by the spring of my redshirt freshman year we got a new defensive coordinator so that changed my mindset even more, because it gave me an opportunity to prove myself and show what I can do to new eyes.”
As a redshirt freshman in 2019, playing in 14 games, Johnson made 58 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 6 pass deflections. He made an impact early on in his first opportunity to do so, and only did more of the same as his time extended at Memphis. In 2020 he made 81 tackles, and as a junior last season in 2021 he broke the 100 tackle marker with 104 tackles, all adding up to 243 tackles, 28 pass deflections, 10 tackles for loss, 10 takeaways and one sack leading up to this season.
The stats and the film is flashy for Quindell Johnson and his resume when it comes time for the NFL Draft in April, but what really will make the biggest difference is how vocal he is on the field, and the leadership he has in the Tigers locker room. What is funny about the leadership he has today, is the fact that it is something he would have never expected when he was younger. Growing up, and early on into his football days he was quiet. He was a leader, and he was able to lead the teams he played on, but up until recently it wasn’t vocally where he was getting the job done. He led by example more.
In his interview with JZ Media and Psychletes he was asked about his leadership, where it came from and more. “Its really the way I grew up.” he answered, “How competitive I am and how competitively I grew up, just how my father installed the things that he did into me to become a leader and that helped me throughout my childhood, in high school and into now. I had to really grow into that role as a leader. In middle school and little league I was always one of the captains and I wasn’t really really vocal at the time but I always led by example and if I had something to say people would listen to me. In high school was where I became vocal. I had to come out of my shell. I had to really open up and talk more, and that was one of my weaknesses before but I know how to talk to people and I used that as a strength of mine as a leader.”
As a leader at the University of Memphis, the defensive back and business management graduate has helped lead the tigers to a 34 win, 17 loss record since joining the program. It has been one of the best runs for the program that he has been able to be a part of. In his senior year he looks to only add to that run and close off his Tigers career with a bang. He isn’t even focused on the future right now, he’s 100% all in for this program.
“I’m just trying to soak it all in and enjoy the process.” he said. It is the advice he got from a lot of guys that came before him at Memphis, players that went on to play in the NFL, and some that still play in the NFL. They encouraged him to simply enjoy the process, and not to stress about anything. A lot of players could be worried about the smallest things in this time period, or have big goals set for themselves to reach prior to hitting the NFL, but for Quindell Johnson, he has stayed calm thus far and is focused on the University of Memphis Tigers Football team. “Its going to be over eventually. (His mentors) know what I can do, but they want me to enjoy this college experience, take it all in, be with my team and be where my feet are at now. Thats one of the biggest messages I got from most of them (guys in the NFL) and thats really it, what I’m focused on.”
Memphis Tigers vs Temple Owls through the lens of JZ Media
Football player by day, creative by night; Rodney Owens’ interest in media grows with startup “Raw Visionary”
The University of Memphis Tigers’ defensive back Rodney Owens is in his fourth season with the Tigers. Over the last three seasons he made a total 134 tackles, 16 pass breakups, 8 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 4 sacks and one force fumble. He came into Memphis from Iowa Western Community College in 2019 and has had quite the journey leading up to this final season of college football, but the journey is not over for Owens.
The 23 year old Nashville, Tennessee native could very well crack his way into the NFL after this season, and if he does he will reach his next goal as a football player, but it will also open up a great window to something he wants to do off of the football field.
Outside of playing defensive back for the University of Memphis, Rodney Owens is a very creative mind, and he always has been. Even going back before his days at Louisville, and Iowa Western, he remembers taking photos of cars as a kid. It was a hobby of his, and something he found cool, but now as he has reached higher levels of football he has realized that it could very well become more than just a hobby later down the road. He is interested in making a career for himself in the media space, and no, he doesn’t want to just do it when he is done playing football, but he is on his way to start his career as a creative now, while he is playing at the University of Memphis.
Owens has started up his own multimedia platform “Raw Visionary Entertainment” ink collaboration with his brothers Malik and Rashad who also play football at the NCAA level, Malik is a receiver at Eastern Kentucky, and Rashad is a defensive back at Lindsey Wilson College. The platform is just in the mix of being launched officially, however with interest in all kinds of media from photography to written blogs, to even sit down interviews and highlight tapes, you can expect a lot from Owens and his company in the future.
On Thursday night he was with JZ Media’s Jordan Zlomislic and Landon Persigner of Memphis Football taking photos at the University of Memphis Women’s Soccer game and had a fantastic time, remembering why he wanted to get into the media field again. Be on the lookout for some Rodney Owens content coming soon, and creatives out there, beware, your jobs are on the line.
Onto the next; Memphis vs North Texas highlights, Tigers prepare for Temple
The University of Memphis Football team is on a three game winning streak. Coming off of wins against Navy, Arkansas State, and North Texas they look to improve to 4-1 with a win over the Temple Owls.
Watch JZ Media’s reel from the win over North Texas and watch as they take on the Owls on Saturday morning.
“Get Money Inc.” the mindset and brand behind Memphis’ Greg Rubin
On game-day at the Liberty Bowl, up to 58,325 fans sit and watch the University of Memphis Tigers on the gridiron. Each play the fans watch and cheer on 11 Tigers as they go head to head with 11 players from the opposing team. Some wear jerseys to show their support, some make signs, some even make donations to the football program and now with the new name, image and likeness rules fans are also able to support players directly with their own brands.
One player at the University of Memphis that has created a brand is defensive back, number 24 Greg Rubin.
Rubin, cousin of famous rapper NLE Choppa, originally from Memphis, Tennessee is playing on his hometown team, and has made a name for himself with the Tigers early on in his career. As a true freshman with the Tigers in 2021 he made 59 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and broke up 14 passes. Coming off of a good game against North Texas where he made 6 tackles and broke up a pass, he’s ready to showcase his talents against the Temple Owls on Saturday at Simmons Bank Stadium (aka The Liberty Bowl), but not only will he be showing fans his abilities on the field but he will also be putting his brand on display as well, that brand being, “Get Money Inc.”
“Get Money Inc.” is Greg Rubin’s clothing brand. It is just getting started, so you don’t see it all over Memphis just yet, however don’t be surprised when you do. When asked about the brand, he told JZ Media’s Jordan Zlomislic, “G.M.I is my brand, Get Money Incorporated. I’m just getting everything in the works, you can expect it real soon. It’s a mindset brand. It means, really, just hustle. Going and go get it.”
As Rubin continues to excel on and off of the football field, you will continue to see his growth, and his brand’s growth in Memphis. This is really just the beginning of it all, and it will be something special.
JZ MEDIA 