On Tuesday, Simon Fraser University shocked the Canadian football ecosystem when they announced the immediate discontinuation of their program after nearly 60 years of existence.
Athletic director Theresa Hanson cited concerns over the team’s lack of conference affiliation beginning in 2024 as the reason for the decision but did not file a formal application to join U Sports, calling the process “incredibly complex.” The B.C. school would have required an “unprecedented” exemption to play in the Canadian system as a single sport member, deeming the outcome so unlikely that an attempt would not have been worthwhile.
Alumni of the program feel differently and are currently engaged in a furious attempt to save the team, including plans to file a court injunction to restore the 2023 season. An online petition is also circulating in support of SFU Football, though Hanson has stated that the decision will not be reversed regardless of the number of signatures.
In the meantime, it is the players who are suffering. While the school will honour scholarships for athletes who stay for the upcoming academic year, those wishing to transfer face an uphill battle. College football teams on both sides of the border have recently completed spring camp, which means that most rosters are nearly full. Many former Red Leafs could struggle to find landing spots, forced to sit out a year or end their careers.
The program was also allowed to bring in a full 2023 recruiting class before the decision was made, meaning many high school seniors turned down other offers in order to commit to SFU believing they would be able to play next year. With many scholarships already allocated, those spots at other schools may no longer be available.
Additionally, the announcement was made ahead of exam season, adding significant uncertainty to an already stressful time in a student’s life.
Below is a full list of players who have posted their desire to transfer publicly or contacted 3DownNation privately. Some players wrote statements regarding their desire to transfer, some of which have been lightly edited for clarity below. Players are listed alphabetically by last name.
Note: all remaining eligibility has been listed according to NCAA regulations. U Sports programs afford one additional year of eligibility — five years total instead of four.
RB Isaac Antilla
5’10, 190
Vancouver, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Instagram: @isaac.antilla
Twitter: @isaacantilla22
Eligibility remaining: 4 years
2022 stats: N/A
Attention coaches: SFU transfer process has officially begun. Feel free to contact me. Looking for any football opportunity.
OL Anthony Bolaños
5’11, 280
Vancouver, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @Floodanator64
Eligibility remaining: 3 years
2022 stats: 5 GP
Due to the announcement of SFU’s football program closure, I am looking to continue my football and education elsewhere. I have OL and DL experience. Willing to play new positions. I just want to play.
OL Connor Burns
6’4, 295
Lower Sackville, N.S.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @connor_m_burns
Eligibility remaining: 2 years
2022 stats: 10 GP
After the horrible news that SFU football will no longer exist I am now reopening my recruitment and entering the transfer portal. I am very grateful for everything this program has done for me and the friendships I have built along the way. Coaches, my DMs are open an am considering all options!
LB Isaiah Cooper
6’4, 205
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @Isaiahcooperr
Eligibility remaining: 4 years
2022 stats: N/A
DB Jerrell Cummings
5’10, 185
Vancouver, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @PlayboiiRelly
Eligibility remaining: 1 year
2022 stats: 10 GP, 44 TT, 6 TFL, 3 INT, 10 PD
WR/P Sam Davenport
6’1, 185
Abbotsford, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @SamDavenport20
Eligibility remaining: 2 years
2022 stats: 10 GP, 36 REC, 513 YDS, 4 TD, 62 PNT, 2295 YDS, 2 TB, 21 FC, 14 I20, 7 50+
QB Key’Shaun Dorsey
6’0, 200
Surrey, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @KeyshaunDorsey
Eligibility remaining: 3 years
2022 stats: 7 GP, 1 TD
QB Luke Duxbury
6’0, 175
Fullerton, Calif.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @DuxburyLuke
Instagram: @lukedux8
Eligibility remaining: 3 years
2022 stats: 2 GP
Based on the unfortunate news regarding the closure of the SFU football program, I would like to announce that I will be entering into the transfer portal.
I want to specifically thank all the coaches here at SFU for giving me an opportunity to play Division II football and further my education. I want to thank the countless people who have supported me through my time here. Going to school and playing football at SFU has widened my perspectives and has helped me grow into a responsible young man.
With that being said, my recruitment is now open. I am entertaining any opportunity that is in front of me.
QB Luke Elliott
6’5, 190
Tacoma, Wash.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @Luke_S_Elliott
Eligibility remaining: 5 years
2022 stats: N/A
QB Lucas Feaver
5’9, 175
Chilliwack, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Instagram: @lucasfeaver
Twitter: @Lucasfeaver
Eligibility remaining: 5 years
2022 stats: N/A
My goals for university are to excel scholastically while representing the university on the football field. I’m a team player and a leader on and off the field. What makes me different from other recruits is my work habits in school and on the field. Achieving and maintaining a high GPA is very important to me in order to excel in my future career.
I’m a very hard worker and a great teammate, which is shown in practices and games. In terms of character, I try my best to be someone who other people and teammates view as a kind, caring, honest, hardworking person who makes smart decisions. I’m focused on my future and football, which I believe will help me achieve my scholastic and sports goals in university.
WR Alexis Ferland
5’11, 198
Montreal, Que.
Film: Youtube
Twitter: @AlexisFerland
Eligibility remaining: 3 years
2022 stats: 5GP, 2TT
With the unfortunate news of our program being cut by the athletics department, I am looking for a new home and a new team where I can have a positive veteran presence on and off the field. I’m a very physical slot receiver with 3 to 4 years of eligibility left (3 NCAA, 4 U Sports). Known as the most dominant run blocking receiver out of Quebec, I chose to play for John Abbott College (CEGEP) and SFU (NCAA) because of the fit. I am now looking for a comeback to U Sports to finish my remaining years of eligibility.
LS Andrew Goodman
5’11, 230
Beaconsfield, Que.
Eligibility remaining: 4 years
2022 stats: 8 GP, 1 TT
DB Kimo Hiu
5’10, 190
Gresham, Ore.
Highlights: Hudl
Twitter: @Kimo_Hiu
Eligibility remaining: 2 years
2022 stats: 10 GP, 33 TT, 0.5 TFL, 3 PD
DB Kyle Huish
5’9, 180
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @kylehuish5
Instagram: @kyle.huish
Eligibility remaining: 2 years
2022 stats: 7 GP
I appreciate everything that Simon Fraser Football has done for me these last few years. I am grateful for my coaches and teammates who by my side through all of the adversity we have gone through.
Moving forward, my recruitment is fully open as I enter the transfer process and am excited for the future.
LB Dayton Ingenhaag
6’0, 220
Vernon, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @DaytonIngenhaag
Eligibility remaining: 2 years
2022 stats: 10 GP, 71 TT, 6 TFL, 4 S, 1 FF
LB Braeden Macdonald
6’4, 205
Chilliwack, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @BraedenM89
Eligibility remaining: 4 years
2022 stats: N/A
LB Colin McKellar
6’0, 210
Vancouver, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Instagram: @colin_mckellar_
Twitter: @ColinMckellar7
Eligibility remaining: 4 years
2022 stats: 9 GP, 10 TT
I’m starting linebacker from SFU looking for a new opportunity after the collapse of the SFU program. Open to every and all opportunities to continue my dream.
OL Robert Preda
6’0, 270
New Westminster, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Instagram: @robertpreda75
Twitter: @robertpreda75
Eligibility remaining: 4 years
2022 stats: 8 GP
Recruitment is open. If you have any opportunities for me, my DMs are open.
DL Ryen Sanford
6’0, 230
San Diego, Calif.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @RL_Sanford
Eligibility remaining: 2 years
2022 stats: N/A
RB Ethan Sutton
5’8, 197
Toronto, Ont.
Eligibility remaining: 4 years
2022 stats: N/A
I am deeply saddened to hear about the closure of our football program at SFU. As a player who has been a part of this program, I have had the opportunity to grow and learn so much, not just about the game, but about teamwork, dedication, and perseverance. I am truly grateful for the experiences and memories that I have gained from this program.
While this news has been difficult to digest, I am determined to continue pursuing my football career and am excited to announce that I am currently in the transfer portal with my recruitment 100 percent open and ready for an opportunity to compete at the next level. I am eager to take on new challenges, continue to grow as a player, and contribute to a new team in any way I can.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my time at this school and in the program, and I look forward to my next chapter in my football journey.
OL Jordan Sye
6’3, 285
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Instagram: @clc_sye_
Twitter: @SyeJordan
Eligibility remaining: 4 years
2022 stats: N/A
After some unfortunate circumstances that have caused the SFU football program to shut down, I will be reopening my recruitment and looking to transfer. I am grateful for all that SFU has done and taught me. Coaches, all DMs are open I am entertaining all options!
LB Aiden Thomas
5’11, 190
Vancouver, B.C.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @aiden_thomas19
Eligibility remaining: 4 years
2022 stats: N/A
DL Ishmael Togi
5’11, 280
White Center, Wash.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @Ishmael_Togi
Eligibility remaining: 2 years
2022 stats: 10 GP, 26 TT, 2.5 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR
OL Maliq Washington
5’11, 285
Lakewood, Wash.
Film: Hudl
Twitter: @officiallwash
Eligibility remaining: 3 years
2022 stats: 7 GP
QB Mustapha Yekini
6’2, 180
Red Deer, Alta.
Instagram: @mustaphayekini
Twitter: @mustapha_yekini
Eligibility remaining: 3 years
2022 stats: 1 GP
After the unfortunate news of our football program shutting down, I would like to thank the coaches at SFU for giving me an opportunity last year to be a part of the SFU football team, as well as the university for giving me the opportunity to be a student-athlete at SFU. I appreciate the people I’ve met along the journey and I will cherish the memories SFU gave me.
With that being said, I would like to announce that I have entered the transfer portal. I am looking for a program to join in the fall and aim to help lead that team to a championship. Though it is late in the year, I would love an opportunity to come and compete. I am dedicated to the sport an I am willing to work as hard as I can to achieve the goals I have set for myself, as well as the goals my future team hopes to achieve.
Thank you again to SFU for what you have done and I am excited for the future of my football career.
