Local NFL fans will have someone to cheer on in Brampton duo, Oakville native

Hey Brampton and Oakville, are you ready for some football?

The NFL season kicks off next week and fans in Brampton and Oakville will be able to follow local players on the gridiron as the 18-week, 17-game schedule gets underway.

Brampton football fans might want to have a couple of games circled on the Week 1 schedule next Sunday (Sept. 10).

Wide receiver John Metchie III and the Houston Texans will travel to Baltimore for a 1 p.m. battle against the Ravens, while fellow Brampton resident Joshua Palmer, a wide receiver with Los Angeles, and his Chargers will host the Miami Dolphins at 4:25 p.m.

Oakville football fans can cheer on outside linebacker Michael Hoceht and his Los Angeles Rams who are in Seattle for a 4:25 p.m. game against the host Seahawks.

The 23-year-old Metchie was born in Taiwan before moving to Brampton. He has since moved back to the U.S.

The Alabama product played three seasons with the Crimson Tide from 2019 to 2021, racking up 2,081 yards and 14 touchdowns.

In 2020, Metchie became the first receiver to win the Jon Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian in NCAA football in helping Alabama win the College Football Playoff National Championship.

The first-year receiver teamed up with Texans rookie QB C.J. Stroud to make two receptions for 10 yards in two preseason appearances for the Texans.

Palmer is coming off a big season with Chargers. The 23-year-old, who has been held out of the Chargers’ preseason schedule due to an undisclosed injury, finished second behind Mike Williams (895) in receiving yards with 769

The former Tennessee Volunteer star had three scores on 72 receptions.

Oakville’s Hoceht is looking to lock down the outside linebacker position with after Leonard Floyd moved on to the Buffalo Bills.

The 25-year-old finished the 2022 season with a career-high 23 solo tackles and 4.5 sacks.

In a pair of preseason appearances with the Rams this year, Hoceht has collected three assisted tackles.