Tre Ford has been named the Most Valuable Player in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) following a standout season with the University of Waterloo Warriors.
The native of Niagara Falls, Ont. completed 139-of-219 pass attempts (63.5 percent) for 1,770 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also recorded 66 carries for 667 yards and three scores, finishing the season as the OUA’s third-leading rusher.
This is the second time Ford has won OUA MVP as he also captured the award in 2018. Other previous winners include quarterback Chris Merchant (Western, 2019), receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. (Wilfrid Laurier, 2017), quarterback Derek Wendel (Ottawa, 2016), and quarterback Will Finch (Western, 2015).
Waterloo finished the regular season with a 3-3 record, qualifying for a playoff berth out of the West Division. They lost to Western in the OUA quarterfinal round by a score of 51-24, ending their season.
The six-foot-one, 192-pound passer is the top quarterback prospect in the 2022 CFL Draft. While it’s possible that teams will consider converting Ford to another position at the pro level — his twin brother, Tyrell, is a standout defensive back and return specialist — he may get a chance to compete under centre in the CFL next season.
Guelph linebacker A.J. Allen received the President’s Award as the OUA’s Outstanding Stand-Up Defensive Player, Western defensive lineman Deionte Knight won the J.P. Metras Award as the OUA’s top lineman, and Western quarterback Evan Hillock captured the Norm Marshall Rookie of the Year Award.
Steve Snyder was also honoured with the David “Tuffy” Knight Coach of the Year after leading the Queen’s University Golden Gaels to a perfect 6-0 record and a berth in the Yates Cup following back-to-back postseason wins. Guelph’s Michael MacDonald was named Volunteer Coach of the Year, while Ottawa’s Francis Perron, who tragically passed away during the season, was posthumously awarded the Russ Jackson Award.
