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Making the transition from living in one country to another can be challenging for any teenager. For Damien Alford re-locating from Montreal, Canada to South Florida was a no brainer. Alford is a 6’5″, 205-pound wide receiver that will be on everyone’s radar this off-season. He’s taking his talents to McArthur High School in Hollywood and is looking to make a name for himself nationally. In a week’s time, he’s received several offers from power five schools and feels his game can soar even further to new heights.
“It feels good to get offers already, but the journey still continues,” said Alford after the Battle At The Bottom Seven on Seven Tournament Presented by Tuff Training in Margate, FL. “I still have to work hard I have to get my education right, and then after that, I can talk to coaches and see what my options are.”
The 2021 prospect currently holds offers from Syracuse, Kentucky, FIU, FAU and Penn State.
Had a great time at Kentucky and thankful and blessed to have received a verbal scholarship offer. #BBN 🔵⚪️ @CoachGran @LifeCoachPierre @coachtunsil @Brandon_Odoi @CoachJohn_HYAS @JohnGarcia_Jr @RowlandRIVALS @JEdwar247 @CoachNick_HYAS @_BenjaminReport pic.twitter.com/Nd3Yuq1kDG
— Damien Alford (@DamienAlford5) March 18, 2019
Alford visited Kentucky this week and plans to also visit Georgia and Georgia Tech in the next few days.
“I wanted to come down here to better my chances to become a professional football player.”
Alford felt comfortable making the move south because of the relationships developed with his coaches in Canada with the coaches at Football Hotbed. Alford now is a member of the Hotbed seven on seven team that finished runner-up in the tournament last weekend.
.@DamienAlford5 was owning the left side of the field Saturday for Team @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/VAfVPskgcX
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 19, 2019
“Coach embraced me. He told me to come out here and work. He gave me a chance to shine and I shined. I’m really getting closer with these guys and it’s starting to really feel like a family for me.”
He started at quarterback and made the transition to the receiver position about two years ago. Alford displays the desired skills to catch the ball at its highest point over receivers.
.@DamienAlford5 was a huge problem for defenders all day the Battle At The Bottom @RehmanZack #7on7football Tournament today for Team @FootballHotbed. The sky’s the limit for him. @Mcarthur_FB pic.twitter.com/KNHP7AEEe3
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 17, 2019
The two-sport star also plans to play basketball next season.
“I’ve practiced catching the ball at it’s highest point since I started. My coaches knew I was going to get tall so I’ve been working on my timing to jump high to catch the ball.”
.@DamienAlford5 high points the ball and gets the touchdown here for @FootballHotbed. The @Mcarthur_FB putting South Florida on notice at the @RehmanZack Battle of the Bottom #7vs7 tournament. pic.twitter.com/MQycSlnPg4
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 16, 2019
Alford is grounded in Caribbean culture as his father is from St. Kits and mother is from St. Vincent. He feels other Canadian football players have a chance to really prove they can compete with players across the states and he says there is plenty of talent north of the border.
“For all the Canadians chase your dream. Nothing’s impossible and if you work hard you can be in the same situation I’m in right now.”
