Ettore Lattanzio of the University of Ottawa is the 2014 J.P. Metras award winner as the best lineman in Canadian Interuniversity football. He receives the award after being named the OUA's top lineman for the second time. The fourth-year defensive tackle led the OUA with eight sacks this season and tied for the national lead with 14 tackles for loss.
"Opponents always have to account for Ettore," said Gee-Gees head coach Jamie Barresi. "He draws double teams all season long and still does what he does. His speed, strength, and determination set him apart and he is an incredibly important part of our team."
Known simply as "ET" the 6-foot, 260-pound Ottawa native attended Mother Theresa High School where he was also a competitive wrestler. The Classical Studies major came to uOttawa from the Myers Riders club system, where he picked up his signature crouch, waiting for the opposing linemen to come to him before lining up to propel his way through them.
A year ago, Lattanzio made the switch from defensive end to defensive tackle and still led the OUA with 10 sacks, which co-led the CIS. He picked up eight sacks in 2012 and five in 2011, for a career total of 31.
He was named to the OUA Second Team in 2012 and was a CIS First Team All-Canadian in 2013.
Lattanzio is the third Gee-Gee to be recognized with the J.P. Metras trophy, following Chris Gioskos in 1989 and Boyd Young in 1984.