Ontario University Athletics (OUA) have unveiled their first and second-team all-stars for 2023, led by Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks’ quarterback Taylor Elgersma.
The six-foot-six, 220-pound passer from London, Ont. completed 75.2 percent of his passes for 2,641 yards, 18 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He led all of U Sports in completion percentage and yardage while finishing second in passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 141 yards and six touchdowns to help his team finish the regular season with a 7-1 record.
Ethan Jordan, Elgersma’s favourite target, was named a first-team all-star at receiver after leading the country with 60 receptions for 749 yards and five touchdowns. He was joined on the list by teammate Raidan Thorne, who made 51 catches for 663 yards and three touchdowns, alongside perennial all-star Savaughn Magnaye-Jones from Western and Kaseem Ferdinand from Carleton.
Jared Chisari, the nation’s leading rusher, was named a first-team all-star after recording 143 carries for 1,178 yards and seven touchdowns. Three of his offensive linemen, two of whom were selected in the 2023 CFL Draft, joined him alongside Ottawa Gee-Gees’ standout and Redblacks’ draft pick Amlicar Polk.
Ottawa linebacker Max Charbonneau was named a first-team OUA all-star after finishing second in all of U Sports with 62 tackles along with 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. The 24-year-old was an eighth-round pick of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2023 CFL Draft. Ife Onyemenam, who made 36.5 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions, and one sack with the Golden Hawks, was named the other all-star at linebacker. The Toronto native was a sixth-round CFL draft pick of the Argonauts earlier this year.
Kolade Amusan and Muftah Ageli, two stalwarts along the defensive line for the Windsor Lancers, were named first-team all-stars after recording a combined 38 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks. Tyson Hergott also made the cut following a sensational year with the Waterloo Warriors during which he made 38 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
McMaster Marauders’ kicker Michael Horvat was named a first-team all-star after making 20-of-24 field goal attempts with a long of 49 yards as well as all 15 of his convert attempts. The Hamilton native was also named a first-team all-star at punter after finishing second in all of U Sports with an average of 45.5 yards per attempt.
The OUA’s second-team all-stars can be found below, highlighted by Western Mustangs’ quarterback Evan Hillock. The native of Hamilton completed 70.2 percent of his pass attempts for 2,439 yards, 19 touchdowns, and three interceptions, leading all of U Sports in passing touchdowns. He helped lead the Mustangs to yet another undefeated regular season, finishing atop the standings with an 8-0 record.
The Mustangs will host the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in the Yates Cup on Saturday, Nov. 11 with kickoff slated for 1:00 p.m. EST. This marks the eighth consecutive season in which Western has advanced to the conference championship game, while Laurier is making their first appearance since 2016. The Mustangs won the regular season matchup between the two teams on Oct. 21 by a score of 33-30.
