The University of Waterloo played host to the 2024 CFL Invitational Combine with 70-plus prospects testing and competing for a chance to snag one of the limited invites to the main show in Winnipeg in a couple of weeks. Eight prospects stood out and have received the call-up to the National Combine with their impressive days.
DB Jackson Sombach, Regina
Undoubtedly the winner of Friday’s Combine was Jackson Sombach out of the University of Regina. The Regina native tested the best out of anyone at the Invitational. He ran faster than anyone with a 4.58 40-yard dash, jumped higher than anyone with a 36-inch vertical, and blazed the 3-cone drill with a 6.97 becoming the only player to do it under seven seconds. He finished with the fifth fastest shuttle time at 4.27 and finished with the fifth farthest broad jump at 9-foot-11 and seven eighths. To put the cherry on top, he finished with 15 reps on the bench press, the second most of any defensive back. However, there were some negatives. The 2022 Canada West all-star measured in as the smallest of any draft eligible player at 5-foot-8 and one eighth, while also not standing out during the one-on-one period where he wasn’t called out for any extra reps (After the main portion of one-on-one’s CFL personnel on hand decide who they want to take another look at and pit guys against each other to see certain matchups).
DB Dawson Marchant, Northwestern Oklahoma State
Another freak athlete, Dawson Marchant was right behind Sombach testing-wise. The Surrey, BC native topped the broad jump at 10-foot-3 and five-eighths, finished fifth in the 40-yard dash (4.66), tenth in the vertical (32 inches), sixth in the three-cone (7.06), fourteenth in the short shuttle (4.40), and put up the same number on the bench press as Sombach (15). The versatile defensive back separated himself in the one-on-one period getting called out multiple times and clamped down opposing receivers. Marchant has seen time at both cornerback and safety over his time in college which will certainly bode well in evaluators minds.
DB Yani Gouadfel, Bishop’s
The native of Mitry-Mory France, Yani Gouadfel has now earned national status after three standout years at Bishop’s University. The 2023 AUS all-star was among the top testers at the combine finishing with the fourth-highest vertical (32.5 inches), eighth-fastest 40-yard dash (4.69), third-farthest broad jump (10’1″), and the sixth-fastest shuttle time (4.3). The safety was also magnificent when the pads came on being called out the most by the coaches other than Marchant.
DL Jason Janvier-Messier, York
Jason Janvier-Messier came into the combine and showed why he was regarded so highly. It was nice to see the Beloeil, QC native test as well as he did after only playing two games this past season for York due to injury. He led edge defenders in every single category and would have led all defensive linemen in every category as well but finished third amongst d-linemen on the bench with 19 reps. When the pads came on later in the day the 2022 OUA second-team all-star put his skills on full display. In one of the nastiest spin moves you will ever see, the York alum put fellow promotee Owen Mueller through the spin cycle, something that isn’t easy to do.
OL Owen Mueller, Windsor
The fourth tallest player measured at the combine, Windsor tackle Owen Mueller had a phenomenal day. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound London, ON native weighed in 20 pounds heavier than he was originally listed while being the most athletic lineman during the testing. Amongst the offensive linemen, he ran the fastest 40-yard dash (5.28), jumped the highest and farthest in the vertical (26.5 inches) and broad jumps (8-foot-8), and pumped out the second most reps on the bench press out of anyone in the building at 26. Outside of getting spun out of his socks by Janvier-Messier, when the pads came on he was just as dominant. He was called out four out of a possible eleven times at left tackle, right tackle, and even at left guard. It will be interesting to see how Mueller stacks up in Winnipeg.
OL Ethan Kalra, Waterloo
The Acton, ON native’s testing numbers won’t jump off the page at you despite testing relatively high amongst offensive linemen. It was the one-on-ones where Kalra showed his worth. No one dominated this period at any position quite like the Waterloo product did. The 6-foot-2, 309-pound guard didn’t lose a rep, even when during the callouts the CFL personnel on hand asked Kalra to play tackle.
WR Kaine Stevenson, Guelph
Kaine Stevenson didn’t light the testing on fire despite finishing with the second-highest vertical jump of the day at 34 inches. He made his hay when actual football was played during the ones. The versatile offensive weapon participated with the running backs and receivers during the period and was great at both positions. While with the backs, the Windsor, ON native cooked every single linebacker that lined up against him while showing really solid technique and strength during the blocking portion. While with the receivers, Stevenson’s time was cut short as he pulled up with a tweaked hamstring but will be good to go for the national combine.
WR Nicholas Gendron, Ottawa
It was a shock that Nicholas Gendron didn’t receive an invite to the big show, but nevertheless, he went out and earned it once again. The Gatineau, QC native ran the second fastest 40 (4.59), jumped the six farthest in the broad (9-foot-10), and had the second fastest short shuttle (4.13). The OUA second-team all-star came in as one of the most productive players at the event and will get a shot to back up his reputation once again in Winnipeg.
The National Combine will take place in Winnipeg from March 19-24.
