When holding a conversation about the best linebackers in the OUA, you cannot go through it entirely without mentioning Jessie Wilkins-Flaricee's name.
The 5'11", 225-pound linebacker has been a consistent contributor and avid playmaker on the Laurier defence since his first year on the team in 2023.
His impact on his teammates is also evident when spending time with the team, as he is a commanding presence with fantastic leadership skills.
To stand out amongst the rest of Laurier's uber-talented defence in this way is no small accomplishment.
His achievements on the gridiron for the Golden Hawks speak for themselves, as he came into his own during Laurier's unforgettable season last year in 2024.
54 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble underscore his tremendous ability to impact the pass and run in an equally dominating fashion.
Ahead of the 2025 season, in which Laurier will open away at Guelph in one of the season's best matchups, OB.SESSED was given the opportunity to sit down with Wilkins-Flaricee to discuss his life in football, what 2024 meant to the Golden Hawks, and the upcoming season.
What initially made you want to take up the sport of football?
Wilkins-Flaricee: I grew up around the sport, and I grew up a big fan of the Detroit Lions. I fell in love with the game because of how much fun it was and for the physicality involved within. I was always one who loved to compete, and as I got older, I realized that the game gave me purpose.
My pops played semi-pro in the States, and a lot of people in my family also play the sport. It was great to just grow up around it, and that is what drives my love and passion for the sport.
How do you think growing up in Windsor and around the sports-heavy environment shaped you into the player that you are today?
Wilkins-Flaricee: To be honest, I didn't grow up the smoothest, but I would not have it any other way. All the things that I went through and the lessons that I learned, they definitely shaped me into who I am, and they are the reason why I am currently where I am.
Growing up in Windsor is very blue-collar, so I grew up around very hard-working individuals. My pops worked construction and things like that, and he would always be up early, at like five in the morning to go out and take care of and provide for my brothers and sisters.
I was one who helped raise my siblings as well, so I was naturally put into a role where I had to grow up early, and I guess that taught me how to be a leader. It also taught me that respect is earned, not just given.
What level did you first start playing football at?
Wilkins-Flaricee: The first team that I ever played for was the WMFA [Windsor Minor Football Association] Giants. It was a youth team, and I was around seven or eight years old, but this was a youth league where I had a great coaching staff that really instilled great core values in me.
I was blessed to have great coaches that I still talk to now, and they always check up on me and come to a few games. I was also blessed enough to play with guys that are currently on our team, like my brothers Tayshaun [Jackson], Kiano [Elliott], and Darius [France].
So you attended high school at F.J. Brennan in Windsor, was playing for a U SPORTS spot a goal at that point in time?
Wilkins-Flaricee: High school was great for me. I had great friends, coaches and teammates, and I knew that I wanted to take football seriously. Coming into the ninth grade, I knew I had a passion for the game, and I always wanted to compete against the best. I always had that next stage, that next level that I could reach, in my mind at all times.
I had some great opportunities to play with and against some great players that helped push me to be great as well. My friend Dante [Daniels] plays at NC State, and I would always find him to play so that we could push each other. People like him and the great coaches I had really pushed me to reach the next level and be great.
If you were to describe yourself as a linebacker to me, how would you do it?
Wilkins-Flaricee: My playstyle is instinctive, unorthodox, smart, fast, and very physical. I have a high motor; I always run to the ball. When my playing style can be seen as unpredictable, I stay disciplined and play my game within the system.
I pride myself on my football IQ, and I love watching and breaking down film whenever I have the chance. I love leading and take pride in my love of learning from others as well.
What are some core values that you hold dear to yourself whenever you step out on the football field?
Wilkins-Flaricee: I hold accountability very close to my heart when on the field. One phrase that has stuck with me through my whole playing career was 'reflect all and fear none.' I give every snap my all and try to persevere through everything. I treat every snap like it is my last.
I am someone who almost had the game taken from me when I got diagnosed with epilepsy in the tenth grade. Once I heard that news, I went into this dark place, but I came back and told myself, 'I'm gonna work very hard so I have the ability to play this sport that I love.'
Once I came back, my whole thought process has been 'treat every down like it is your last' because at any point in time this game can be taken from me.
Last year was great for the program as Laurier won the Yates Cup and made it to the 59th Vanier Cup against Laval. Over the course of all that happened in 2024, where do you think you improved the most as a linebacker?
Wilkins-Flaricee: Honestly, I got more confident and more comfortable within our system and within the defence. At the start of the season, I was more concerned with not messing up an assignment than with making great plays.
By playing like that, I realized I wasn't playing my brand of football, and it took me a bit to get it right. But later in the season and in the playoffs, I found my footing and started to gain a bit more confidence.
Having this current offseason and being fully healthy throughout it, I am in the best shape I have ever been in my entire life, and I am playing my brand of football, which is flying around and making plays to put my team in the best position to win football games.
In the 2023 Yates Cup, Laurier came up short against Western. With the Golden Hawks getting over the hump last year and defeating the Mustangs 51-31 in the 2024 Yates Cup, what made that win important to the mentality of the team as a whole?
Wilkins-Flaricee: It was important to us as a team because we wanted to win this game for our vets and for the guys that were graduating. For us, mentally, going into the game, we knew what was about to happen. We knew that if we played Laurier football, no team could hang with us, and we respected our opponents to the max.
Even though we had respect, we had no fear of them at all. I believe in that game, we showed them that. We had learned from the previous year and knew if we did what we had to do, the game would be ours.
You guys have great talent and stars coming back to the team in 2025. There are a few notable omissions, particularly at quarterback, but for the most part, everyone is coming back. What do you think you guys need to do with those pieces to return to a Vanier Cup in 2025?
Wilkins-Flaricee: For us to return to a Vanier Cup and win it, I believe we have to find different ways to win games. There isn't just one recipe for success. We have a different team this year, which is loaded with the same talent, but it is different. What we know what worked last year won't necessarily work this year.
We have new leaders, new starters, and new special teamers that have bigger roles this year that have to step up. We all know our parts, and we all are going to execute them.
We are extremely close to the first week of regular-season games. How would you describe the 2025 Golden Hawks' defence heading into this weekend's road game at Guelph?
Wilkins-Flaricee: I would say that this defence is hungry. We are tenacious, relentless, physical, fast, versatile, and extremely talented. We have to prove something to ourselves this year. We know that last year, our defence didn't play exactly as we foresaw. But we know that all the work we put in day in and day out will help us to come out hard and achieve greatness in 2025.
In your opinion, what is the ceiling for the 2025 Laurier Golden Hawks?
Wilkins-Flaricee: I don't really feel like there is a ceiling for us. I don't like to put a cap on what greatness can be achieved. Whatever ceiling that people try to put on us, we are going to blow the roof off it. We know the work that we put in on and off the field. Our goal is to win everything that we do day by day so that we can get one percent better at everything consistently.