SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE 2019 VANIER CUP CHAMPIONS MAKE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE ROSTERS

The University of Calgary Dinos football program has always prided itself of graduating their players and developing them to compete at the next level. This was illustrated this weekend when the Canadian Football League rosters were announced. Seven players from the 2019 Vanier Cup champions made active CFL rosters in

ports academic all-Canadian status.

Let’s begin with the senior fifth year players. Defensive back Nick Statz, running back Jeshraun Antwi, and receiver Hunter Karl, were drafted in 2018, and were excellent leaders as well as key players in the team’s path to securing the program’s fifth National Championship. All three attended CFL camps in 2019 prior to returning the Dinos.

Statz, was selected 55th overall by the Calgary Stampeders. He completed his degree while finishing the 2019 season with the Dinos starting in the secondary. Nick was a U Sports academic all-Canadian in Werklund School of Education and Conference. He was a Conference all-star in 2018 and attended Notre Dame High School.

Antwi was injured midway through his senior season. He was selected 48th overall by the Montreal Alouettes in the 2019 draft. He graduated from the Werklund School of Education earning U Sports academic all-Canadian status. Antwi is a graduate of Father Lacombe High School in Calgary.

Karl, a Conference all-star in 2018. He was injured in his first game of the 2019 regular season but returned playing a key role in the team’s four post-season wins. He was selected 59th overall by the Edmonton Elks in the 2019 draft. Hunter is a graduate of Foothills Composite in Okotoks, AB., and graduated in Arts and was an academic all-Canadian in 2019.

Defensive back Treshaun Abrahams-Webster was selected 38th overall by the Ottawa Red Blacks in the 2020 CFL draft. Abrahams-Webster was the starting cornerback on the 2019 National Championship team. Because of CoVID 19 the CFL was inactive in 2020. Treshaun attended his first CFL training camp in 2021 and making the Red Black even though he has another year of U Sports eligibility. Treshaun was also a U Sports academic all-Canadian, and is native of Pickering, ON.

A trio of players drafted in 2021, and who had varsity eligibility remaining made CFL rosters after attending their first professional training camp. Linebackers Grant McDonald and Charlie Moore, and offensive lineman Peter Nicastro are on the active rosters of the teams that selected them.

Nicastro was a first round selection, 7th overall by Toronto in the 2021 draft. Peter was a Conference all-star at offensive guard in 2019 and one of the anchors on the offensive line. A versatile player, Peter also played center. He is a graduate of St. Francis High School in Calgary.

McDonald was the starting middle linebacker in 2019. He was selected 14th overall by the Edmonton Elks and was a 2019 Canada West all-star and was team’s leading tackler. He was also a vital special team player for the Dinos. McDonald, joined the Dinos in 2018, after playing his first year of varsity football at the University of Maine.

Moore also started a linebacker for the Dinos and was one of the top tacklers in Conference. Moore was selected 26th overall by the Stampeders, and like McDonald played a key role on special teams. Moore was with the Dinos for four seasons. Both Moore and McDonald are graduates of South Delta High School in South Delta, BC.

“The seven players making their respective CFL teams this year were all a big reason for the Calgary DINOS winning the 2019 National Championship. All DINOS are very excited for the opportunity these men now have as we continue the tradition of placing more players in the CFL than any other program. Congratulations to Hunter, Nick, Jeshrun, Treshaun, Peter, Grant and Charlie. You have all achieved excellence through your hard work and dedication. Best of luck this season as you join the many other DINOS in the CFL,” states Dinos Head Coach Wayne Harris.

Defensive back Deane Leonard was selected 18 th overall in the 2021 draft by Hamilton. A starter in the secondary Deane transferred to the University of Mississippi where he played the 2020 season and will complete his college eligibility at Ole Miss this season.

Offensive tackles Logan Bandy and Tyler Packer were selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and BC Lions respectively and attended their camps. Both are expected to return to the Dinos for 2021. Offensive guard Carter Comeau was signed by the Roughriders and attended their camp but is also expected to return to school.