Université Laval quarterback Arnaud Desjardins has been named the RSEQ’s Most Valuable Player for the 2024 season, earning a shot at the Hec Crighton Trophy.
The Montreal native was the most efficient passer in the country this season, completing an impressive 75.9 percent of his passes for 2,273 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just one interception. The six-foot-five, 207-pound pivot’s incredible accuracy helped lead the Rouge et Or to a 7-1 regular season and the top seed in the RSEQ playoffs.
By virtue of the award, Desjardins will now be one of four national finalists for the Hec Crighton, given annually to the Canadian university player of the year. An RSEQ player has taken home the trophy in each of the last two seasons, with Montreal quarterback Jonathan Senecal winning in 2023 and Laval receiver Kevin Mital capturing the honour in 2022.
On the other side of the ball, Concordia defensive back Mendel Joseph was named the Defensive Player of the Year and will be a finalist for the President’s Trophy. The Montreal native amassed 26.5 total tackles while finishing second in the nation with four interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
Montreal defensive end Jeremiah Ojo was honoured as the Lineman of the Year and will vie for the J.P. Metras Trophy. The six-foot-three, 236-pound pass rusher finished second in all of U Sports with seven sacks this year, while also notching 20 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.
Also from the Carabins was the Rookie of the Year, Enrique James Leclair, who caught 26 passes for 475 yards and five touchdowns. The first-year receiver from Varennes, Que. will now be in line for the Peter Gorman Trophy.
Laval head coach Glen Constantin was once again named the conference’s Coach of the Year and will look to take home his third career Frank Tindall Trophy. Concordia special teams assistant Emilie Pfeiffer Badoux is the first woman to ever be nominated for the Gino Fracas Award as the national assistant coach of the year, while Stingers’ defensive back Isaac Pepin will be in contention for the prestigious Russ Jackson Award for community service.
In awards without national equivalents, Montreal kicker Philippe Boyer was named the Special Teams Player of the Year and Laval defensive tackle Thomas Gosselin was selected as Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The Laval Rouge et Or (8-1) will host the Montreal Carabins (8-1) in the Dunsmore Cup on Saturday, November 9 at 1:00 p.m. EST. The winner of that game will advance to the national semi-finals.
