A handful of U SPORTS football teams are currently navigating through some of their most important time periods in recent memory. Whether it be working to strive for the figurative brass ring, or learning how to replace departing stars, these six programs are in the midst of intriguing offeseasons.
1. Saskatchewan Huskies
Behind the best veteran core in the nation, the Saskatchewan Huskies had a successful 2021 campaign that saw them finish just short of capturing their fourth Vanier Cup in program history.
With the exception of departing fifth year players such as Colton Klassen (REC), Sam Baker (REC), Clovis Lumeka (DB), and Nicholas Summach (OL), many of last year’s veteran starters are now entering their fourth or fifth year of eligibility. Another recent sure-departure came with the retirement of running back Adam Machart, who still had one remaining year of eligibility in the event that he didn’t play on a CFL roster in 2022. Asides from those from those five players, there was a possibility that Scott Flory could run it back with the same core group in 2022 - which is music to the ears of Huskies fans.
What stopped that possibility from becoming a reality was the 2022 CFL Draft. Nathan Cherry (3rd Overall to BC), Noah Zerr (12th Overall to Saskatchewan), and Riley Pickett (41st Overall to BC) - three of Saskatchewan’s most important players from 2021 - will all likely not return to the Huskies in 2022.
Despite the losses of Baker, Kassen, Lumeka, Summach Machart, Cherry, Zerr, and Pickett, the Huskies have promising players waiting for the opportunity be the next leaders of this program. Running back Josh Ewanchyna and receiver Daniel Perry are ready to take over for their predecessors in Machart and Baker to lead the offence with quarterback Mason Nyhus. The defence appears to be in good hands too with stars such as linebacker Nick Wiebe, and defensive backs Charlie Ringland and Cam Skinner. If there’s any team that may be going through a “retool” phase, it’s Saskatchewan with regards to their core group on both sides of the ball. Despite this, because of their exceptional depth at ever position, expect the Huskies to remain favourites to come out of Canada West and challenge for a National Championship.
2. Calgary Dinos
What do you do when you lose the three players who were responsible for over 90% of your offensive production in the previous season?
The Calgary Dinos will have to answer that question this offseason as they’ve lost their starting quarterback Josiah Joseph to graduation, and highly touted receivers, Tyson and Jalen Philpot, to the pros.
From the outside looking in, the Dinos are in a peculiar situation, especially when considering they’re coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs. It’ll be interesting to see how Wayne Harris rejuvenates his roster in 2022, while leading this modern-day model of excellence back into the stratosphere of national prominence.
3. Waterloo Warriors
If you ask anyone close to the program, Waterloo is currently "retooling”, but, if you ask the average OUA football fan, this program seems to be in the midst of a full out rebuild. Nonetheless, no matter which way you frame it, the Warriors are going through a transition period.
If you examine this roster from top to bottom, there are plenty of holes that need to be filled. For starters, 38 players from their 2021 dress roster were in either their fourth, fifth or sixth year of school - 21 of whom were also in either their forth or fifth year of eligibility. This means, whether it be due to program completion or running out of eligibility, the Warriors have lost a decent chunk of their core dress roster.
The biggest individual loss for the Warriors is the departure of their quarterback, the reigning Hec Crighton Award Winner, Tre Ford, who has accepted a rookie mini-camp invite with the Baltimore Ravens in addition to being selected 8th overall by the Edmonton Elks in this year’s draft. The key offensive losses continue with the potential departures of receivers Gordon Lam (OUA All-Star), Barnaba Niel, and Rushon Dagelman, all of whom who remain on the radars of CFL teams despite going undrafted. The offensive line will need to be reworked too, as Troy Curtis (OUA All-Star), Grant Curtis, Spencer Andrews, and Greg Brand (OUA All-Star) have all played their final snaps in the Black and Gold.
On the defensive side of the ball, the boundary cornerback spot is wide open as All-Canadian Tyrell Ford has accepted NFL rookie mini-camp invites with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets in addition to being selected 13th overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. However, the departure of linebacker Michael Reid (OUA All-Star) might be the biggest loss for the Warriors defence, as he’s been the on-field heart and soul of the unit for the better part of the last four seasons.
It’s unclear whether the Warriors will be able to retain the explosive offence that has carried them to a level of success over the last four seasons. But, what is for sure is this team will look extremely different come this fall.
4. Carleton Ravens
Many analysts picked the Carleton Ravens to play in the Yates Cup last season. Instead, they went 2-4 before being bounced by the Queen’s Gaels in the first round of the OUA playoffs.
It’s never easy accomplishing your goals when your starting quarterback goes down, but, even the Ravens can agree that they were way better than the record they posted.
Then came the offseason, beginning with the resignation of head coach Steve Sumarah - who had been with the program since its relaunch in 2012. The nationwide search for his replacement ended with McMaster offensive coordinator Corey Grant being named the new head coach of the Ravens. Undoubtedly the most deserving of the job, Grant boasts an illustrious football resume that features not only a ten-year career in the CFL, but a five-year coaching stint with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, as well as two separate coaching tenures at McMaster (Receiver Coach from 2010-2011, Offensive Coordinator from 2019-2021).
In a few ways, Grant’s arrival marks the beginning of a new era for the Ravens. But, in a lot of ways, expectations still remain for this talented roster. With only five fifth-year seniors in 2021 - all of whom could probably get back another year of eligibility if they wanted to - Carleton will be bringing back a similar roster in 2022.
If there is one area of focus this offseason for Carleton fans to pay attention to, it should be the progression of quarterback Tanner Dejong. The Brockville, ON native already drew enough attention last offseason coming off the COVID year - and he didn’t disappoint through his first two starts - but Dejong enters his final year of eligibility under unique circumstances. The arrival of Grant as head coach allows Dejong to work with a coach who has a track record of developing quarterbacks - Grant played a pivotal role in the development of Marauders quarterback Andreas Dueck. Toss in the fact that Dejong is currently participating in this year’s East-West bowl festivities, a major skill development opportunity that is usually reserved for 3rd year players, and it can be said that he’ll be living the dream offseason of any senior quarterback.
Before going down with a lower body injury in the second game of the season, many anticipated seeing Dejong taking that leap into the upper-echelon of U SPORTS quarterbacks. The anticipation remains this offseason, and might even be elevated given his East-West opportunity.
Despite bringing in a new coach, it can be said that nobody views Carleton as a rebuilding team in 2022. Pressure is as big of a compliment as one could receive, and the pressure is still on for the Ravens.
5. Queen’s Gaels
Football fans are looking at the Queen’s Gaels and wondering how this team will fair in 2022 - when there will be no divisions in the OUA. Despite going undefeated last season, a large portion of pundits believe the success of this team was due in part to the schedule they inherited. As a result, unless you’re a fan of the program, it’s hard to be sold on the legitimacy of the Queen’s Gaels.
Among their eight-game schedule next season, four of the Gaels’ slotted regular season games will be against opponents who played in the OUA West in 2021. Those opponents are the McMaster Marauders, Laurier Golden Hawks, Guelph Gryphons, and the defending Vanier Cup Champion Western Mustangs.
With the exception of Anthony Federico, the Gaels will be returning most of their previously top-ranked defence in 2022. The real area improvement, however, has to be on offence.
The departure of Rasheed Tucker, who was selected 52nd overall by the Calgary Stampeders, means the Gaels lose the foundation of their entire 2021 offensive attack. Tucker rushed for 1,110 yards and 12 touchdowns through last year’s regular season and playoffs. The Ajax, ON native alone accounted for 36.4% of the teams total offensive yardage, and 42.8% of the teams total offensive touchdowns. Forcing teams to respect the run, Tucker’s contributions opened the door for Queen’s passing game to flourish, as quarterback James Keenan threw for 1,461 yards and nine touchdowns (1,098 yards and six touchdowns in the regular season). In the event that Tucker sticks in the CFL - which isn’t a long shot at all, Keenan will be seen as the new tone-setter for this offence. Rest assured, the experience of being a participant of this year’s East-West Bowl festivities will surely help Keenan prepare to embrace his new role.
Exemplifying a carryover of dominance into the 2022 season will serve as true vindication for this program, and its players.
6. Concordia Stingers
The Concordia Stingers are not on this list because they are losing players or bringing in a new head coach. They’re on this list because evidence from their 2021 campaign would suggest that they are building towards something special.
Last season, the Stingers posted an impressive 5-3 record that even featured a victory over the eventual Dunsmore Cup champion Montreal Carabins. Led by RSEQ MVP Olivier Roy, the Stingers had the top ranked passing attack in the nation.
Roy threw for 2,470 yards (1st in U SPORTS) and 18 touchdowns (1st in U SPORTS) on 163 completions (1st in U SPORTS). His top target, Jacob Salvail, hauled in 632 yards (4th in U SPORTS) for seven touchdowns (T-2nd in U SPORTS). And of course, we can’t forget to highlight RSEQ Rookie of the Year Jaylen Greaves who recorded 605 receiving yards (6th in U SPORTS), and five touchdowns (5th in U SPORTS).
Life’s good when you have the nation’s top ranked passer and two of the nation’s top ten receivers. The narrative changes, though, when you look at the opposing side of the ball. In 2021, Concordia’s defence allowed 243 points - the most of any team in the nation. They also allowed an average of 245.5 passing yards per game (8th most in U SPORTS), and an average of 152.6 rushing yards per game (10th most in U SPORTS).
Take it as a lesson from the Waterloo Warriors, even an all-time offence can only carry a team so far if the defence proves to be a liability. Until the Concordia Stingers can fix their loose ends on defence, they will have a hard time breaking through the figurative chains that Montreal and Laval have had on the RSEQ for two decades. But, if they can revamp their defence this offseason, don’t be surprised if Concordia makes a serious run at the Dunsmore Cup in 2022.
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