‘A special player’: Huskies football star Justin Julien named All-Canadian

Saint Mary's Huskies cornerback and punt returner Justin Julien has been honoured as a second team U SPORTS All-Canadian at kick returner for the 2021 football season.

"It means a lot to me," said Julien. "As much as it's a personal accolade, it's also an achievement for our team. It took all the guys around me buying in and trusting my talents in order for this to happen."

A 5th year DB out of Montreal, PQ, Julien led the AUS in punt returns (45), punt return yards (378) and punt return TDs (1). He also added 10 tackles and one interception as a cornerback, and was named an AUS All-Star at both kick returner and cornerback.

"It's well deserved," says Huskies head coach James Colzie III. "JJ is a guy who has been here for five years and has worked really hard for us. For a guy to be as intense as he is at the corner position, and then go back and be a dangerous punt returner shows the versatility he has. At times this season he was our MVP because of the way he changed games."

Check out some of Justin Julien's best returns of the 2021 season below! pic.twitter.com/92wUtPTJRJ

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) December 3, 2021

"Coach Colzie and (Huskies special team coordinator Brandon) Dubs have helped me grow a lot over my time here, as a player, as a leader, and as an individual," added Julien. "My whole journey here at Saint Mary's helped me to grow as a player and a man. Losing two Loney Bowls was not something that was easy to get over, and it helped motivate me on and off the field."

The COVID-19 pandemic was an added obstacle over the past two seasons, cancelling what would have been Julien's fourth year of eligibility, and causing uncertainty about the future of his university career.

"The COVID year was tough, getting a year taken away from you. At that moment you kind of have to sit back and think about how you're going to approach the next year, when you don't know when you're going to play again or what's going to happen next. What helped me get through all of this was my consistency and my work ethic, always staying ready so I don't have to get ready when the time comes." 

When the Huskies did return, Julien was counted on as a senior leader, and was voted a team captain by his teammates.

"He has goals to be a professional football player, and that's the biggest thing I can say about him is that he always acts like a professional in how he handles himself on the field and off the field," says Colzie. "He's a leader by example, a quiet guy, but he's always talking to our young guys. It's sad to see him go, but he truthfully fulfilled every obligation this program asked of him. For him to have the success he's had over four seasons and to cap it off with being an All-Canadian is something I really am proud to see." 

Julien will be graduating with a degree in Political Science this summer, and while he has aspirations of playing professional football, he says his time with the Huskies program has motivated him to succeed wherever the future takes him.

"I would love to play football, no matter where it's at, but my number one goal is to continue to work. Regardless of where I end up, I want to be the best player, the best leader, and the best individual I can be," says Julien.  

"One piece of advice that I would give is to always remain consistent in your goals. It's not easy to achieve them, especially when you don't have control of things happening around you, but if you set your standards high and remain consistent, good things will happen."

Great advice from a special player, who made a lot of special plays in his time with the Huskies.