UBC, Montreal, Laurier lead U Sports with 13 players in CFL

Photo: Bob Butrym/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The University of British Columbia, Université de Montréal, and Wilfrid Laurier University are setting the pace with 13 alumni each on CFL rosters, as per a press release from McGill University.

Some of the CFL’s most notable former Thunderbirds include Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive back Stavros Katsantonis, Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Lake Korte-Moore, and Toronto Argonauts offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley.

Montréal’s alumni features Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Redha Kramdi, Montreal Alouettes offensive lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage, and Argonauts defensive lineman Jeremiah Ojo, while Wilfrid Laurier’s includes Blue Bombers quarterback Taylor Elgersma, Tiger-Cats receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr., and Edmonton Elks defensive lineman Robbie Smith.

Last year, the Université de Montréal and Laval Université led all programs with 14 CFL alumni each. The University of Calgary now ranks fourth at 12, followed by Laval at fifth with 11.

There are 157 U Sports alumni currently in the CFL on active rosters, practice rosters, and suspended lists, which is 17 fewer than last year.

All 27 U Sports football programs have at least one alumnus currently in the CFL.

Ontario University Athletics (OUA) has the most at 61, followed by Canada West at 55, Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) at 31, and Atlantic University Sport (AUS) at 10.

Below is a breakdown of all 157 former U Sports players in the CFL by institution.

Acadia 1
Alberta 8
Bishop’s 1
Calgary 12
Carleton 2
Concordia 2
Guelph 9
Laval 11
Manitoba 6
McGill 3
McMaster 6
Montreal 13
Mount Allison 2
Ottawa 4
Queen’s 6
Regina 7
Saint Mary’s 4
Saskatchewan 9
Sherbrooke 2
St. Francis Xavier 2
Toronto 2
UBC 13
Waterloo 3
Western 9
Wilfrid Laurier 13
Windsor 5
York 2