Isaiah Letander: From Manitoba to British Columbia, The Unstoppable Road to Success

Winnipeg-born Isaiah Letander was just named 11^th in the top 50 Returning players in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) for the 2023 football season.

Isaiah Letander is a football phenom out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. His journey in football started when he was in grade 11 and attending Kelvin Highschool. Before discovering his love for football, Letander played basketball at a provincial level for one season. The football coaches at his school asked him to play after seeing his athletic ability and height, standing 6’1. He started training as a defensive lineman (DL). He switched to offensive lineman(OL) as he grew and progressed, where he found a new and more profound love for his position and the sport after graduating From Kelvin Highschool in 2019.

Letander intended to stay in his hometown and play for the University of Manitoba in 2019, but out-of-province opportunities arose, and he was quick to take them. Starting his journey in 2019, he flew to British Columbia (BC) to play for the Valley Huskers, a junior league based in Langley/Chilliwack. While out there, he was presented with the opportunity to play at St Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He soon moved there and started training; unfortunately, Covid-19 had hit, and the world of sports was halted. In 2021 he returned home after training to spend time with his family while deciding his next move. Letander chose to finish playing out his final two eligible seasons for the Valley Huskers.

Letander boasts an impressive list of accomplishments that highlight his prowess in football. During his tenure with the Valley Huskers in the 2019 and 2021 seasons, he demonstrated his skills by racking up 27 tackles. Even in his first year of high school football in 2017, he earned the esteemed title of Lineman of the Year for the AA division, setting the stage for a remarkable journey ahead.

His talents didn’t go unnoticed, as the Canadian Football Chat recognized him as one of the top 100 high school players in 2018. The following year, in 2019, he further solidified his position as an elite player by being named one of the top 100 all-Canadian football athletes.

Letander achievements didn’t stop there. In the 2022 season, he was honoured with the title of Top Offensive Lineman for the British Columbia Football Conference, showcasing his exceptional skills and dedication.

As a testament to his capabilities, Letander received a prestigious invitation to join the BC Lions’ camp in April 2022. The BC Lions are a professional football team in the Canadian Football League, and being invited to their camp is a testament to Isaiah’s potential as a player. Impressively, he was invited again this year, proving his consistency and standing as a rising star in football.

Remarkable achievements, recognition, and opportunities at various levels of football have celebrated Letander’s journey thus far. With his talent and determination, there’s no doubt that he has a bright future in the sports world.

Letander is playing his final year with the Valley Huskers, having had his home opener game last week and taking a win against the Langley Rams. He continues to drive for bigger things and is on his way to making a career out of his love for the sport and doing it all with his family in mind.