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SRSS Sabres football star Juddah Wohlgemuth has earned quite the opportunity as he was selected as one of the 75 players from across the country to attend the CFC Prospect Game in Hamilton, Ontario on May 24th.
Before detailing the event, Wohlgemuth went back to the start of his football career and he's quick to credit a specific person for helping him love the game. "My journey started with my father," the standout says proudly. "He introduced me to flag football and I fell in love with the sport from there. I went from the Falcons to Steinbach, moved to Steinbach school and ever since, I've just loved it."
Falling in love with the game is one thing but for Wohlgemuth, it was more than that, he wanted to excel. "I really dedicated myself once I moved to Steinbach, I knew high school was going to be that next level where I'd have to commit, I'd have to grind. I always knew I was going to make it."
With elite athletic ability, even at a young age, Wohlgemuth says things came to him quickly. "I'd say I was a natural," he says after a humble pause. "I started as a rusher and then moved to defensive back, that's where I've played ever since."
Having played a few different positions, Wohlgemuth believes he's in the perfect position now. "It was good, I started off as a cornerback, played a little kick return but it was last year when I switched to safety, that's really clicked with me."
When asked why he loves playing safety, the 6'0, 170-pound defensive dynamo was quick to respond. "My favourite part is the hitting," he says with excitement. "I love when the ball is flying in the middle of the field and I can just go down and lay someone out."
Last year was perhaps the biggest in his career and he says he worked hard to make it happen. "It was a standout year for me. It was big from the year before where I only had 13 tackles in the whole year, to this past year, having 13 tackles in a single game. I changed and it was good.
All those big, heavy hits have caught the attention of many around the province and has earned him some terrific opportunities, including one that is coming up in a few weeks. "I was selected to the CFC All-Canadian Classic game. The top 75 in Canada get selected from a camp and we go and show our talent."
Being selected did come as a bit of a surprise to the soft-spoken warrior. "It was unexpected, it was very exciting. For now, I'm at Blue and Gold camp, then Sabres camp is coming up, it'll be good to keep putting in the work leading up to that event."
The game will be featured on TSN, a channel that Wohlgemuth has spent a lot of time watching with his family, but now it'll be his name on the screen, a fact he couldn't be prouder of. "I think it's incredible how I'm able to play on TSN. Getting to be showcased around the world is pretty cool."
While it's a thrill to be selected, Wohlgemuth says he's not going there for a good time, he's going to make an impression. "This is big, a lot of coaches for universities in Canada and the US will be watching, I need to perform and show them who I really am."
Growing and developing through the Sabres program. Wohlgemuth is quick to praise those around him for helping him get to where he is. "They've been so incredible to me, they've taught me a lot and I've learned almost everything from them. The coaches have been incredible, putting me in positions and opportunities to play my best."
The biggest boost for Wohlgemuth comes from the family support, something that means the world to him. "It means a lot. I know my grandparents will be coming out to Hamilton to see me play live. They've been to almost every game I've played, it's really something that means a lot."
That support from his grandparents comes with a bit of volume, especially from grandma Rhonda, who has always been there to support him, and Wohlgemuth says the odds of hearing grandma from the stands is pretty good. "I bet you there's a 100% chance everyone is going to hear her," he says with a chuckle and a loving smile.
Juddah Wohlgemuth will look to make a lot of noise himself on May 24th.