Superior Height U Sport Ottawa Gee Gees Gabr Barkley Steelhawks

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By putting pen to paper with due enthusiasm, Gabe Barkley secured his football future for the foreseeable future.

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The former Superior Heights Steelhawks quarterback recently signed for the University of Ottawa Gee Gees football program at a signing ceremony at the local high school on Jan. 26.

“It’s super amazing, super exciting that I have the opportunity to (extend my football career) with a top 3 team in Ontario,” Barkley told the Sault Star. “It is also good to continue my academic career. I am really looking forward to starting there.”

Last season, Ottawa finished third in the OUA conference in the regular season with a 6-2 record. The Gee Gees lost 35-13 to Queen’s in the OUA Semifinals on November 5.

Of course, Superior Heights head coach Paul Orazietti was delighted that his captain was entering the next stage in his development as a player and as a person.

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“We’re very proud of Barkley,” Orazietti said. “He was the league MVP for a reason and it is not surprising that numerous universities sought his services. There is no question that the sky is the limit for gift at U-Sport level.”

Barkley plans to major in communications alongside a minor in environmental science. The 2022 Sault High School Football League MVP wants to be a firefighter in the future.

The former number 9 in the blue and white silks met with the OUA team during a post-secondary combine in April last year.

“(The recruitment process) goes back to the combine here in Sault where a bunch of coaches from U Sport (came here). I was actually injured, my knee was injured, but Ottawa came up to me and said they were very interested in me,” Barkley said. “Since then, a year and a bit ago now, they’ve stayed in touch with me through emails and text messages. They seem interested to the end.”

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Obviously, the quality of the team was an important consideration in Barkley’s selection of the Ottawa program, but another factor was also important. When moving, it is important to feel comfortable in the new environment. Eventually, if all goes according to plan, Ottawa will be his main stomping ground for the next four to five years.

“They asked me out on an official visit a month and a half ago and I loved it, a great experience and that’s why I chose them,” Barkley said. “I’ve been to Ottawa many times and feel pretty comfortable in the city. As soon as I stepped onto campus, it felt like the right choice for me.”

Last season was tough for the Steelhawks, as Barkley provided a large portion of the Steelhawks’ offensive production.

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He was the primary running back, keeper up the gut, or option play to the edge, two staples in the offensive playbook as the Steelhawks attempted to maximize his ability to drop his shoulders and run people over or in a blue every time and white moon, fall back into pocket and pass.

But his days as a battering ram quarterback are over.

“They might start looking at me on the defensive side of the ball,” Barkley said. “That’s the impression I got.”

But Orazietti must know a little more about Ottawa’s true intentions than the ex-signal caller.

“The quarterback who plays like a linebacker will finally be able to play linebacker when he comes to Ottawa,” Orazietti said. “I expect Gabe to be playing some big games in the not too distant future.”

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Barkley didn’t become the Steelhawks’ main quarterback until his 10th year in high school in 2019. In fact, he didn’t play small football in his youth. He just showed up for practice in 9th grade because he was a good football player during recess.

Barkley has learned and matured a lot learning quarterback position, and this other side of the ball is just as exciting for him.

“I just want to win,” Barkley said. “I don’t care which (position it is). I’m looking forward to starting somewhere else because it’s a different view of the ball. I am really looking forward to this.”

And before he looks forward to August and his move to Ottawa, he wanted to look back and thank those involved in his transition from an off-duty player to a U-Sport caliber player.

“I want to thank all of my coaches and everyone at Superior Heights and the Sault Sabercats, really everyone who has ever coached me,” Barkley said.