The McMaster Marauders football team has added depth and national calibre talent to their squad over the years, and they continue to do so in a big way with the opening announcement of four highly touted commitments to the roster for 2022. 

Joining the maroon machine this coming season are Andrew Grant, Jawaun Smith, Paven Sidhu, and Michael Horvat. 

Andrew Grant 

LB | 6'2" 230lbs | Austin O'Brien High School 

Jawaun Smith 

RB | 5"11 195lbs | St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School 

Paven Sidhu 

T/DT | 6'3" 275lbs | St. Roch Catholic Secondary School 

Michael Horvat 

P/K/CB | 5'8" 170lbs | Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School 

An out of province recruit from Edmonton, Alta., Andrew Grant is a 6'2, 230lbs linebacker graduating from Austin O'Brien High School. Leading the league in tackles in the Edmonton Division 1 league in 2021, Grant was named a Metro All-star, as well as to the all-Edmonton football team. 

"McMaster University is arguably one of the best in the country," continued Grant, "combining a top 10 football program with a dedicated group of coaches." 

A member of Team Alberta U18 in 2021, and a nationally ranked prospect on the Canada Football Chat Top 100 national ranking, Grant certainly comes to Hamilton as a highly sought-after recruit. With his commitment to the Marauders, he plans to enroll in Mechanical Engineering or a Bachelor of Technology program. 

Hailing from Hamilton is one of the top recruits in the country, Jawaun Smith, a 5"11, 215lbs running back. Competing for the No. 1 ranked high school at the time, St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, Smith has garnered interest not only in Canada, but south of the border, receiving invites to all-American camps. 

On the national stage, Smith was selected to the Team Ontario Roster for the 2017 U16 East Challenge and represented Canada at the 2018 International Bowl in Arlington, Texas. Heading into the 2022 season, the recruit will be enrolled in the Social Sciences program. 

Staying close to home, from Brampton, Ont., Paven Sidhu, a 6'3, 275lbs offensive lineman comes to the Marauders from St. Roch Catholic Secondary School where he led his team to back-t-back Metro Bowl championships at OFSAA in both grade 10 and grade 12. 

"I'm really excited to get back out there and play some football," said Sidhu. "It'll be a new experience building new relationships with others, and ultimately just playing the game I love." 

What stood out to Sidhu during the recruiting process was the dedication of not only the Marauders coaches, but the students that dedicate themselves on field. Beyond the gridiron, Sidhu will look to enter either the Life Sciences or Kinesiology program this fall. 

Playing his high school football with Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School, Michael Horvat, was recognized as a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and went on to represent Team Ontario during the U16 National Challenge in 2019. 

"I've lived in Hamilton my whole life and going to the university right around the corner would be amazing," said Horvat. "I can't wait to meet and play with all my new teammates and develop a brotherhood between as all." 

The 5'8, 170lbs kicker intends to enter either the Health Sciences or Kinesiology program in his first-year with career ambitions in the medical field. 

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