Dawson Laye will be joining two other Cochrane Cobra alumni on the roster of the Regina Rams this fall after signing with the team today.

With parents and Cochrane High teachers watching he signed on the dotted line and looks forward to being a receiver for the Rams for the next five years while pursuing studies in business.

It was their business program that attracted the all-around athlete to the University of Rams and last weekend he attended their spring camp. He was also being heavily pursued by the Calgary Dinos at the time.

"They came up and offered me a spring camp," says Laye. "I pressed them quite a bit after camp and they offered me a scholarship."

He's also looking forward to joining fellow Cobra alumni Kyle Moortgat and Adam Rusk on the team's receiving corps.

Father Jody, who is also a Cochrane High grad, says he's proud of his son and looks forward to attending some of Dawson's games in Regina.

"It's pretty exciting for him. He works hard at any sport or anything he does."

Cobras coach Rob McNab says he's not only a great athlete but a great kid.

"He works hard at school, he works hard on the football field. He's one of the most coachable kids we've had for a number of years, so we're very proud of him."

McNab relishes the idea of having three Cobras on the Rams' receiving corps. Laye has become the fourth Cochrane High graduate to join the Rams in recent years (there was one other well in the past).

"Bryce (McKinnon) lead the way and Kyle and Adam followed suit. Our goal is always to get our kids out playing some sort of post-secondary football, whether it's university or junior football or if they head south. It's fantastic."

While football runs deep in his veins, McNab says education must come first.

"That's the most important part. If you're going to school just to play football that's not right. You have to go to school to get the program that you want to be in and football is secondary. Fortunately, it worked out and that program is a good fit for him."

Laye worked hard to earn his three provincial championships with the Cobras and he's a natural athlete who is an impact player in many sports.

"He can do anything," says McNab, "He's played defensive back, he was our kick returner, slotback, our backup quarterback--all these things--and it's because he's athletic. He hasn't put all his eggs in one basket, he's been everything. Those are the best kids to coach, the all-around athletes, because you can mould them into anything they need to be."