For a second year in a row, the CFL held their Invitational combine in Waterloo. The Invitational combine is a one day event for prospects in Canadian Universities, and Canadians in the NCAA to show case their skill and athleticism in front of CFL personal in order to earn a invite to the National Combine in Winnipeg from March 19 to 24.
The 74 athletes, made up of 61 USports, eight CJFL, and five NCAA prospects, gathered at the University of Waterloo’s Feridun Hamdullahpur field house. After testing things like the vertical jump, bench press, and 40-yard dash, the athletes were also given time to compete in some on field 1 on 1s. After the event, a group of eight was chosen to move on, giving themselves one more opportunity to impress CFL front offices before the draft on April 30th.
List of prospects advancing to national combine
Nicholas Gerdron \ WR \ Ottawa
Kaine Stevenson \ WR \ Guelph
Ethan Kalra \ OL \ Waterlooe
Owen Mueller \ OL \ Windsor
Yani Gouadfel \ DB \ Bishop’s
Dawson Marchant \ DB \ Northwestern Oklahoma State
Jackson Sombach \ DB \ Regina
Jason Janvier-Messier \ DL \ York
Some of the standouts from the Invitational combine include Jackson Sombach. The Regina product excelled in the testing period of the day, finishing a top the leader board in the 40-yard dash, vertical, and 3 cone drills, while also placing top five in five out of six events. Dawson Marchant the only NCAA athlete to advanced, finished with the best broad jump and placing top five in two other events. Guelph WR Kaine Stevenson stood out during the on the field 1 on 1s, taking reps as a running back and showing off his route running skills.
The group of eight will now join the rest of the top prospects eligible for the 2024 CFL draft, as well as the top global players hoping to be picked in the global draft at the national combine. In 2023, the CFL introduced a new six day long combine, which will provide prospects the chance to interview with CFL teams, test for the best scores, and compete on the field. The week ends in three straight days of full padded practices, giving those attending an even bigger opportunity at hearing their name called come the CFL draft.