One of the biggest (literally) talents to ever hit the high school football field in Abbotsford has signed with the University of British Columbia.
Defensive and offensive lineman Micah Logan declared his commitment to the Thunderbirds football program last week, and the 6-3/near-300 pounder said the Vancouver school is a great fit for him both athletically and academically.
Logan, who lives with expressive language disorder, said UBC gives him the chance to excel on and off the field.
“UBC was close to home and you get a good education and it also has a good learning assistance department for football players,” he said.
The Grade 12 Abbotsford Senior Secondary School student has always had work a little harder to keep up in school, which makes the scholarship to UBC even more special.
“Micah has a bit of a developmental delay so this is extremely special for him,” stated his mother Tanya Logan. “He has worked very hard and the pay off has been this scholarship.”
I am excited and blessed to announce that I have committed to the @tbirdsfootball for the 2021 season I would like to thank @CoachNill and @ShoWill33 for there guidance through this process and look forward to being a big part of the @tbirdsfootball family.
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! pic.twitter.com/q92Kh8qz3x— Micah Logan (@MicahLoganFB) September 28, 2020
Logan had a number of schools from across Canada and the United States express interest in bringing him on, but said UBC felt right.
“They don’t have anyone my size at UBC and what they have planned for me is to play nose guard for the defensive line – which is something I love to do,” he said. “I feel pretty confident about playing at the university level.”
The lack of football due to COVID-19 restrictions has been a difficult thing for Logan to deal with, and he said he can’t wait to return to the gridiron.
“Not being able to hit anybody or tackle anybody is a feeling that does not fit very well with a defensive lineman like me,” he said, with a chuckle.
It’s still unclear whether high school football will be a possibility in this school year, but Logan said he and his teammates hope they get the opportunity to hit the field somehow in their senior year.
His mother added that one of the main things that impressed her and Micah about UBC was the honesty head coach Blake Nill displayed during the times they spoke.
“UBC didn’t put any pressure on us and the best part was Coach Nill was awesome about not blowing smoke,” she said. “He said we know you’re good but we can make you better and make you a pro.”
WATCH: VIDEO: Micah Logan 2019 highlights
Logan said his time spent with both the Abbotsford Panthers in high school and the Abbotsford Falcons youth teams helped him develop. He said working with coaches like Jay Fujimura and Dan Vermeulen at Abby Senior, as well as his grandfather Bruce Nicholson helped him a lot especially this past summer.
“I developed as a student and a player as well thanks to them,” he said. “And football also helped me with my communication skills.”
Logan is the second Panther to commit to university in the last week, as teammate Haidyn Vermeulen signed with the Alberta Golden Bears on Sept. 29.
RELATED: Abbotsford’s Haidyn Vermeulen signs with Alberta Golden Bears
The Thunderbirds finished the 2019 Canada West season at 2-6, but had Hardy Cup appearances in 2016 and 2017 and won the Vanier Cup in 2015.
If the 2021 Canada West football season goes ahead, it’s likely the Thunderbirds would kick off in late-August.
