KSS Owls' receiver catches on with Team Canada

Living up to his No. 1 national ranking among U18 wide receivers, Nolan Ulm has been selected to play for Team Canada at the 2020 International Bowl in Arlington, Tex.

Just as meaningful for the 17-year-old is the opportunity to represent Kelowna Secondary School and the city which provided the springboard to be one of only three B.C. players and 40 in Canada to compete in January with and against the top high school football prospects in North America.

Ulm, poised to be one of the leaders on what is expected to be a provincial championship-contending Owls team, seriously considered attending a prep school in Florida for his Grade 12 year but has decided to remain with Black and Gold at KSS.

“During the decision process, I really came to understand that I could actually make a difference by letting go of my selfish goals and really try to inspire the next generation . . . that a guy can make it to a D1 college playing high school football in Kelowna.”

Regularly passing the trophy case at KSS and seeing the silverware, plaques and documented exploits of former Owls quarterback and current CFL all-star, Taylor Loffler, proved “a huge inspiration” for Ulm.

“I walked literally every day past the displays and it fueled me to work extremely hard and create my own legacy at KSS,” said Ulm, shortly after his return from an all-star performance at the Canada Cup tournament in Kingston where he was selected to the national team.

“A lot of people said it would be impossible for me to follow in Taylor’s footsteps . . . that he would be the only one to make it to the pros. But that just makes me want to work even harder. I really want to set an example and show that anything is possible through hard work. You might never be the fastest, strongest or most talented but you can always be the hardest worker.”

Following his graduation from KSS, Loffler went on to play NCAA Division 1 football at Boise State University and eventually went on to star with the University of B.C. Thunderbirds and was drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before signing with the Montreal Alouettes.

While there are still several huge steps to make for Ulm to at least replicate the accomplishments of Loffler, it appears he is moving forward and confident he can reach his goals.

A busy spring and summer of taking part in NCAA Div. 1 camps across the United States have produced two full-ride college scholarship offers — from North Dakota and Toledo — and his performances at the CFC Prospects Game in Ottawa and the Canada Cup have several U Sports teams bidding for his services.

Ulm hopes to make his decision about his post-secondary career in the early fall.

“It’s going to be a difficult decision — so many things to think about — but I’ll go with my gut once everything is laid out on the table.”

While there’s no lack of confidence in the 6’ 2”, 195-pound receiver, the same can be said of those around him.

Cory Philpot, the former all-star running back with the 1994 Grey Cup-champion B.C. Lions, and coach of Team BC at the Canada Cup, says Ulm has all the tools to take the next steps in his football career.

“Nolan definitely has it — speed, hands and an eagerness to learn the game,” says Philpot, an eight-year pro known as the Quick Six who set a CFL record for most touchdowns in a season with 22 in 1995 (broken by Milt Stegall in 2003). “Add to that his willingness to work and to give everything he’s got and you’ve got a Grade A prospect.”

Philpot, whose twin sons, Tyson (U Sports rookie of the year) and Jalen made major impacts at the University of Calgary in 2018, adds that Ulm impressed him especially with his performance at the Team BC camp in March.

“Nolan made the team last year coming out of Grade 10, but he didn’t rest on his laurels. He came out with the same great attitude — willing to work and showed us he still had the gifts and tools . . . day after day.

“I have no doubt he will continue to strive to be his best every day in his graduating year. And with another year of learning the game, he’ll be an elite prospect this year coming out of high school. I look forward to watching him on the tube in the very near future.”

Chris Cartwright, head coach of the KSS Owls, is obviously excited to see what Ulm will bring to his promising team this fall.

“Nolan has been a leader in our program since Grade 9. His work ethic is amazing on and off the field (4.0 GPA),” says Cartwright of Ulm, who finished with 29 receptions for 456 yards and seven touchdowns last season in the B.C. Secondary Schools Football Association (he added 26 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions on defence). “He impresses everyone he connects with and inspires his teammates to be the best they can be. He’s a prime example of what it means to be T.O.U.G.H. in our program.”

Meanwhile, both Cartwright, beginning his fourth season at the helm of the senior Owls, and Ulm, starting his third, are full of positivity going into pre-season training on Monday.

With the bulk of the roster consisting of the team that won a first-ever provincial junior varsity championship last season, coach and receiver are optimistic that the 2019 Owls are capable of going further than any other KSS football team in history.

“I’m super stoked about this season. I really think we have a good shot at winning it all,” said Ulm, who will be one of only nine Grade 12s on the roster that includes fellow graduate, quarterback Isaac Athans.

“Isaac and I have been playing together since we were six years old in Kelowna minor football and it should be a great climax to our high school careers. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can do with the depth we have at all positions.”

As for his personal development, Ulm believes it’s in good hands with the likes of offensive co-ordinator Jerod Zaleski in his corner. Another KSS grad (2007) who went on to play U Sports football at Simon Fraser University and the University of Calgary, Zaleski had CFL stints with the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts.

“Besides my parents (Kelsey and Tom), who provided all my opportunities, Jerod has been the biggest help during the highs and lows on this journey,” noted Ulm. “He was counted out just like I was, but he worked his tail off and made it as a pro. I don’t think he gets enough credit for what he did and does now. His wealth of knowledge as a receiver will be so valuable in my progress.”