Right from the opening week of the 2023 season, Tyson Hergott (Waterloo, ON/) was the most dominant defender in the OUA. Now, he has the hardware to prove it.
Hergott received the J.P. Metras Award as the OUA's Lineman of the Year on Tuesday, capping off one of the greatest defensive seasons in Warriors history. Hergott was also named a first-team OUA all-star, and was one of three Warriors to be honoured at the OUA's football awards ceremony: James Basalyga (Thunder Bay, ON/) was named a second-team OUA All-Star, while Quinten Springer (Cambridge, ON/) received an OUA all-rookie team selection.
Tyson Hergott (Waterloo, ON/) – J.P. Metras Award (lineman of the year); first-team OUA all-star
Hergott's season was one for the ages, as the Science major from Waterloo compiled one of the best seasons by a defensive end in recent USports history. Only two years removed from a torn achilles tendon that cost him the entire 2021 season, Hergott finished second in the nation in sacks with 11. He also led USports with 14 tackles for lost yardage, and forced three fumbles – all on strip-sacks – which was second-most in the OUA.
Hergott's Metras award campaign began in week one, when he opened the season with 5.5 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. Hergott's most jaw-dropping performance was a week 6 victory over Guelph, where he notched three sacks in Waterloo's dramatic 30-23 victory. All told, Hergott registered at least one sack in each of Waterloo's eight regular season games.
"Tyson worked his tail off this year," said Waterloo head coach Chris Bertoia. "He drew a lot of attention and double-teams, and he was still able to make plays. He got more physical this year, and he was relentless."
But what set Hergott apart from other pass rushers in 2023 was his equally-brilliant play against the run. His 30 solo tackles and 38 total tackles were the most among all OUA defensive linemen, finishing in the top-10 on a leaderboard filled with linebackers and defensive backs. Hergott also contributed two pass breakups, as well as his interception in week one.
"The overall impact he made – that was the super-impressive part of his season," said Bertoia. "Not just the sacks, but forcing turnovers, breaking up passes, and the tackle totals. It was an outstanding season."
In addition to his all-star selection at defensive end, Hergott becomes just the third Warrior to win the OUA's Metras Award as lineman of the year, joining Chris Best (2006) and Chuck Walsh (2001).
James Basalyga (Thunder Bay, ON/) - second-team OUA all-star
Basalyga continued to solidify himself as one of the premier receivers in the OUA this season, as the Thunder Bay native earned his second career all-star nod. After being named to the second all-star team back in 2021, Basalyga was left off the all-conference team last year, despite finishing second in the OUA in both receiving yards and touchdown catches. Between the all-star snub and being passed over in last spring's CFL draft, Waterloo's number one target had plenty of motivation to fuel his outstanding 2023 campaign.
"Last year might have been a little frustrating for James," said Bertoia. "This is a little bit of vindication for him, and we're really happy for him. He came back and had a great year for us, and we're happy he got that recognition he deserves."
Basalyga finished with 32 catches for 657 yards and 3 touchdowns on the season, stepping up for the Warriors when it mattered most at the end of the season: he had a season-high 153 receiving yards and a touchdown in Waterloo's narrow week eight loss against Carleton, and his 5-catch, 109-yard performance in a must-win week nine game at Toronto helped fuel the Warriors into the playoffs.
Basalyga will graduate as one of the most dangerous deep-ball threats in program history, finishing his illustrious career with 104 receptions, 1870 yards, and 14 touchdowns.
Quinten Springer (Cambridge, ON/) - OUA all-rookie team
Springer burst on the scene in 2023, earning a spot on the OUA's all-rookie team. The product of Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge led all first-year OUA running backs with 394 yards on the ground, while finding the endzone three times. Along with veteran Anthony Miller (Brampton, ON/) and first-year starting quarterback Nick Orr (Caledon, ON/), Springer helped form a resurgent Waterloo rushing attack that averaged nearly 200 yards per game on the ground.
"Quinten is a special kid," said Bertoia. "I think he learned how to slow things down a bit and let the play develop. He's so fluid and explosive. He has a bright future, and I'm glad he got recognized as an all-rookie."
Springer announced his arrival with a sterling week-two performance, as he scampered for 134 yards and two scores in Waterloo's home opener win against York. Springer also had 12 carries for 80 yards against Guelph in week six.
All three Warriors were honoured during the OUA's awards ceremony on Wednesday. Hergott will now be the OUA nominee for the national version of the Metras trophy, with the winner being announced in the days ahead of the Vanier Cup.
