Welcome in. It’s been a long offseason since we last saw U SPORTS football on our big screens — or more likely our laptop screens. But what an offseason it was. Taylor Elgersma — who doesn’t really need any more introduction to Canadian football fans — turned a historic invite to the Senior Bowl into more than a dozen mini-camp offers from NFL teams, eventually landing at Green Bay’s training camp, where he is locked in a battle for the Packers’ third string role.
On Canada’s end of the quarterback trade, we reacquired NCAA bouncebacks Drew Viotto and Callum Wither — tariff free! — who will fight to earn starting spots with Blake Nill’s UBC Thunderbirds and Michael Faulds’ Laurier Golden Hawks, respectively.
That’s what any football season is all about: earning your spot, be it a starting spot or a spot on a team’s 110-deep roster. Viotto and Wither know they can't coast on their NCAA D1 resumes — throughout August camp, they'll need to prove themselves worthy of taking snaps for two of the most respected coaches and programs in the country.
It's the same story playing out across every position group, on every roster, coast-to-coast. With maximum roster limits keeping squads lean, every player from walk-on hopefuls to returning all-stars must demonstrate they deserve to suit up come game day.
Just as individual players must earn their spots on a team, so too must entire programs earn their recognition — be it through literally earning the stripes on their helmets or not. The OB Top 15 isn't about reputation or tradition — though the reputation of coaches like Nill and Faulds certainly give fans the confidence, even the expectation, that playoff berths will be had by programs like UBC and Laurier in 2025.
Like the foundational principle that launched college football polling almost 100 years ago, we believe rankings should reflect current merit. Every week, our panel of writers from across the country will evaluate which 15 programs have truly proven they belong among the nation's best, beginning with a special preseason poll. Don't agree with our picks? Have your say in the comments.
1. Laval Rouge et Or
LAST YEAR: 11-1, Vanier Cup win
WEEK ONE: BYE
Last year's national champions will retain star quarterback Arnaud Desjardins for 2025, as the 6'5" ace went undrafted in the spring's CFL Draft. Glen Constantin has built a perennial powerhouse in Quebec City. The offence will retain First Team All-Canadian receiver Olivier "The Artist" Cool, fresh off a 10 touchdown regular season where he proceeded to rack up 144 yards on Montreal in the Dunsmore Cup and 147 on Regina in the Mitchell Bowl en route to the Vanier Cup. It's safe to say it would be a shock if the Dunsmore Cup wasn't a 13th straight matchup between the Rouge et Or and the Carabins.
Simple answer is that they are the champs. Laval has consistently shown the ability to systematically dismantle the competition year after year and with a large returning cast in 2025, we must give the Rouge et Or their flowers. — Scott Hutter, National Writer
Glen Constantin speaks three languages: English, French, and recruiting. — Andrew Wilimek, Editor-in-Chief
If there is a constant in U SPORTS, it is Glen Contantin fielding one of the nation's best teams year in and year out. With a lot of their stars returning, it is hard to pick against the defending Vanier Cup champions. — Nicolas Tazzeo, Writer, OUA
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article noted that Arnaud Desjardins would not be returning for his fifth year of eligibility.
2. Western Mustangs
LAST YEAR: 9-2, Yates Cup loss
WEEK ONE: Saturday, Aug. 23, 3:00 p.m. @ Queen's
Evan Hillock retains all his favourite targets, but what does a double-graduation of Keanu Yazbeck and Keon Edwards mean for Greg Marshall’s run game? The season will start and end with rivalry matchups — Week 1 spells a trip to Kingston, while Week 9 will have major playoff seeding implications as the Mustangs host Golden Hawks.
Western as my four certainly feels weird, especially since 2024 Hec Crighton winner Taylor Elgersma is no longer at Laurier. Then again, Western will be looking for new horses (pun intended) at the RB position. Both of their top rushers (Keon Edwards & Keanu Yazbeck) from 2024 are gone, focusing all eyes on fifth year QB Evan Hillock. — Scott Hutter, National Writer
3. Montreal Carabins
LAST YEAR: 8-2, Dunsmore Cup loss
WEEK ONE: Saturday, Aug. 23, 2:00 p.m. vs. Concordia
Like Arnaud Desjardins at Laval, 2023 Hec Creighton winner Jonathan Sénécal graduates the program, leaving another perennial powerhouse in search of a new quarterback. And like Laval, fans have no reason to be worried. The Carabins lapped the country with nine All-Canadian selections a season ago, including expected returnees Lucas Bertet-Dembele (RB) and Alassane Diouf (G), though they graduate DL Jeremiah Ojo to the Toronto Argonauts.
Montreal falls to four for me because of the major departure of quarterback Jonathan Senecal. However, they are still top-five worthy on my list because of major returnees such as guard Alassane Diouf, running back Lucas Berter-Dembele, and star receiver Enrique Jaimes Leclair. — Nicolas Tazzeo, Writer, OUA
4. Laurier Golden Hawks
LAST YEAR: 11-1, Vanier Cup loss
WEEK ONE: Saturday, Aug. 23, 6:00 p.m. @ Guelph
The OUA’s reigning champions won’t have Taylor Elgersma under centre in 2025, but what Laurier does have is a foundation — and identity — that doesn’t leave with one player. The culture built under Michael Faulds is now a standard. And oh yeah — wide receiver Ethan Jordan might be the best player in the country, fresh off a 1,374 yard year (including playoffs). The Golden Hawks will be tested with a trip to Guelph in Week 1.
Will Waterloo native Callum Wither slide snugly into the role and production vacated by a Hec Creighton winner? The odds say probably not. But having tools like Ethan Jordan and Tayshaun Jackson at his disposal will make the transition easier post-Elgersma. — Andrew Wilimek, Editor-in-Chief
Laurier comes into 2025 supremely loaded to make another run back to the Vanier Cup with key returnees such as record-breaker Ethan Jordan, Johari Hastings, Layomi Ojutalayo, Josh Rietveld, and many more. The only question that looms is a big one; who will start at quarterback in 2025? — Nicolas Tazzeo, Writer, OUA
5. Manitoba Bisons
LAST YEAR: 7-2, Hardy Cup semifinal loss
WEEK ONE: Thursday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m. @ UBC
Manitoba returns a strong core on offense with ten of twelve starters back, including quarterback Jackson Tachinski, last year’s Canada West Player of the Year. Supported by a veteran offensive line that helped set a program record for rushing yards in 2024, the Bisons enter the season as a competitive force in Canada West with potential to contend nationally. All eyes will be on the team early in the season, as longtime defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Stan Pierre takes over following the retirement of legendary head coach Brian Dobie.
The sky is the limit for Jackson Tachinski, who has led the Bisons to a home playoff game in two of his three seasons as a starter. Along with Saskatchewan, both victims of last year’s underdog Regina Rams, these programs will be eager to prove that their playoff upsets were anomalies rather than the norm in the pecking order of Canada West. — Andrew Wilimek, Editor-in-Chief
6. Saskatchewan Huskies
LAST YEAR: 6-4, Hardy Cup loss
WEEK ONE: Friday, Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m. @ Alberta
After storming back late to a comeback win over UBC in the Hardy Cup semifinals, the Huskies were shocked by provincial rival and underdog Regina in the Hardy Cup. Saskatchewan retains the three-headed offensive monster of Anton Amundrud at quarterback, Daniel Wiebe at wide receiver, and Ryker Frank at running back, who led the Huskies to the second ranked offence in the conference.
Saskatchewan has such a strong core with Wiebe, Frank and Amundrud. It is hard to bet against a team that has so many weapons and has proven they can dominate. — Geono Aloisio, Writer, Canada West
7. UBC Thunderbirds
LAST YEAR: 5-4, Hardy Cup semifinal loss to Saskatchewan
WEEK ONE: Thursday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m. vs. Manitoba
Two seasons removed from a Hardy Cup and Mitchell Bowl title — and a near Vanier Cup win — UBC finds itself at a crossroads. The departures of OC Stevenson Bone, QB Garrett Rooker, and RB Isaiah Knight strip away the core of the Thunderbirds’ recent offensive identity. Head coach Blake Nill will lean on new offensive coordinator Kahari Jones, a former CFL quarterback, OC, and head coach, to retool the attack. Transfer QB Drew Viotto, with stops at Minnesota, Missouri State, and Eastern Michigan, seems poised to inherit the starting role. After a 5-3 regular season and a home playoff loss to Saskatchewan in 2024, UBC must adapt quickly in the ultra-competitive Canada West. Given Nill’s recruiting acumen and the program’s not-so-distant championship pedigree, the Thunderbirds remain a legitimate dark horse on the national stage.
Losing OC Stevenson Bone, QB Garrett Rooker, and RB Isaiah Knight is a major blow for UBC. If they don’t find their footing fast, a slide out of the Top 15 isn’t out of the question. — Bryden O'Flaherty, CEO
UBC’s heavy reliance on incoming transfer talent makes them a boom-or-bust candidate. Pass protection could be a concern, but the experience of Viotto is an X-factor here. — Chase Carter, Writer, OUA
8. Guelph Gryphons
LAST YEAR: 7-3, Yates Cup semifinal loss
WEEK ONE: Saturday, Aug. 23, 6:00 p.m. vs. Laurier
Tristan Aboud cemented himself as a starting quarterback in Guelph in his second year of eligibility. Before taking down the Gee-Gees in the OUA quarterfinals, Aboud led the charge to secure a home playoff game, recording seven passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown alongside 963 yards passing in wins over Windsor, Waterloo, and York to finish the year — with zero interceptions. Entering his second year at the helm of the program, head coach Mark Surya doesn't have an easy start to the season. After Laurier and Western, the Gryphons get two more playoff opponents in Windsor and Ottawa to start the year.
I had the Gryphons at six on my list, but getting Laurier at home in Week 1 is a huge opportunity to climb even higher right out of the gate. Laurier will be a tough opponent and will enter as the favourite, no doubt, but will come in with a new quarterback adjusting to the playbook. A strong home opener win would set the tone for Guelph’s season and give them serious momentum heading into the rest of the schedule. — Andrew Wilimek, Editor-in-Chief
9. Regina Rams
LAST YEAR: 5-6, Mitchell Bowl loss to Laval
WEEK ONE: Friday, Aug. 29, 5:30 p.m. @ Calgary
With Regina set to host the 60th Vanier Cup this fall, the spotlight will be on the city and the program — adding extra motivation for the Rams to make a deep playoff push on home turf. Last year, that push fell three points short of a national championship appearance, as the Rams lost to eventual champions Laval at Mosaic Stadium. Regina's defence gave up the least points in the conference a year ago. Can fifth-year quarterback Noah Pelletier and returning running backs Marshall Erichsen and Christian Katende help improve the offence?
Regina is overshadowed by Manitoba and Saskatchewan year-after-year, but between last year's Hardy Cup win and UBC losing some key pieces, the Rams could shock some people again this season. — Geono Aloisio, Writer, Canada West
10. Bishop's Gaiters
LAST YEAR: 10-1, Uteck Bowl loss to Laurier
WEEK ONE: Saturday, Aug. 23, 3:00 p.m. @ Mount Allison
Undersized quarterback Justin Quirion turned some heads last year out east, guiding Bishop's to an undefeated regular season in the AUS; while Coach of the Year Cherif Nicolas notched his first career Loney Bowl win, marking the complete turnaround of the program since their move away from RSEQ. But the Gaiters were outclassed in the Uteck Bowl, going down 34-3 at half before losing by 24 to Laurier. They enter 2025 as AUS favourites, but questions will linger about their competitiveness on the national stage.
Bishop’s has top-tier potential. Their regular-season stats last year stack up favourably against Laurier and UBC. Still, playing in the smaller AUS can inflate numbers, and the conference hasn’t had much national success in recent years. The only reason they sit below UBC here is because I think Drew Viotto has the kind of game-breaking ability that can take over U SPORTS football. — Maggie Hsu, Senior Writer, Canada West
11. Queen's Gaels
LAST YEAR: 6-4, Yates Cup semifinal loss to Laurier
WEEK ONE: Saturday, Aug. 23, 3:00 p.m. vs. Western
Most teams would be thrilled with Steve Snyder's 27-11 record in the OUA over the past four seasons (which includes six playoff wins). But through all that success in the Snyder era, the Gaels are still seaching for a conference championship — since their 2009 Vanier Cup win, the Gaels have lost 51-22, 29-0, and 44-16 to Greg Marshall's Western Mustangs in the Yates Cup. In fact, the Gaels haven't beat the Mustangs since Sept. 15, 2012, and are 0-14 against their purple counterparts since then. Nevertheless, Aug. 23 looms large, when the Gaels have a prime chance to break that long drought. If Queen’s can finally knock off the Mustangs on their own turf, it would not only end a painful streak but also set a dramatically different tone for their season.
I put Queen's at number nine, I really do think they have a shot to make the Yates Cup this year. A lot will rely on Alex Vreeken staying healthy. — Ryan O'Connor, Writer, OUA
12. St. Francis Xavier X-Men
LAST YEAR: 5-4, Loney Bowl semifinal loss to Saint Mary's
WEEK ONE: BYE
The X-Men’s bid for a fourth straight Loney Bowl ended in a 21–17 loss to Saint Mary’s, despite Silas Fagnan’s 25-of-36, 376-yard, two-touchdown performance in Antigonish. The X-Men moved the ball effectively all last season — Fagnan threw for 2,046 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions while taking only four sacks in the regular season — but a season-opener loss at Bishop's, a two-point loss vs. Acadia, and a double-overtime heartbreak against Bishop's left them second in the AUS standings. Top target Zachary Houde staying healthy — who was good for 133 yards and a touchdown in that playoff matchup — will be key after the receiver dressed for just four games in 2024.
STFX comes in at 12 on my list. Fifth-year starter Silas Fagnan is a big reason why. The two time former AUS Most Outstanding Player (2021 & 2023) will definitely be looking to end his university career on a high after a disappointing first round playoff exit in 2024. — Scott Hutter, National Writer
13. Ottawa Gee-Gees
LAST YEAR: 4-5, Yates Cup quarterfinal loss to Guelph
WEEK ONE: Saturday, Aug. 23, 4:00 p.m. @ Waterloo
Marcel Bellefeuille’s second stint has produced a 17–13 record and two playoff wins in four seasons. Defence remains the Gee-Gees’ calling card, ranking fourth in the OUA last year under steady coordinator Jean-Vincent Posy-Audette. The secondary will see the likes of Patrick Cumberbatch and Denny Ferdinand step up after the departures of halfback Eric Cumberbatch and safety Kevin Victome. On offence, Josh Janssen proved a steady hand after Ben Maracle’s injury, completing over 75 per cent of his passes in his final four starts for 1,090 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception. The playoffs were rockier — 19-for-31 for 224 yards and two picks in a 26–15 loss to Guelph — but his efficient stretch run, paired with Charles Asselin’s 809 rushing yards and OUA-leading eight touchdowns among running backs, fuels optimism for a more balanced attack in 2025.
If the Gee-Gees take care of business against Waterloo and York, Ottawa's schedule really opens up after a tough Western-Guelph-Laurier stretch. That Sep. 12 road game against Guelph is the last time they'll leave Ottawa, with Oct. 5's Panda counting as a home game for crosstown rivals Carleton. — Andrew Wilimek, Editor-in-Chief
14. Windsor Lancers
LAST YEAR: 5-4, Yates Cup quarterfinal loss to Queen's
WEEK ONE: BYE
Who decided it was a good idea to give the most-travelled team in the OUA a first-week bye? Though the Lancers will make use of the late start in preparation for Laurier and Guelph, a break may have been better served around trips to Ottawa and Kingston on back-to-back weekends in Week 8 and Week 9. Two-time OUA Second Team All-Star linebacker Devin Veresuk is out, drafted second overall by the Ti-Cats — one of four Windsor draft picks. The rush-first Lancers retain talented backs Joey Zorn and Liam Talbot.
Jean-Paul Circelli has methodically rebuilt Windsor into an OUA contender. The Lancers have made the playoffs three straight seasons — including a 6–2 campaign and OUA quarterfinal win in 2023 — and last year pushed Queen’s to the brink in a 22–19 quarterfinal loss. Cross-border recruits give this program a shot every year. — Andrew Wilimek, Editor-in-Chief
15. Alberta Golden Bears
LAST YEAR: 2-6, missed playoffs
WEEK ONE: Friday, Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m. vs Saskatchewan
Losing Matthew Peterson is the biggest hit to last season's third-ranked offence, but backup Ope Oshinubi ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the CFL Combine. The defence is laced with future pros. A 2-6 record a year ago included a staggering four single-possession losses — so despite the disapointing results, the Bears' point differential was actually positive. The most dramatic change is on the sidelines. Long-time head coach Chris Morris departed to become president of the CFL’s Edmonton Elks, ushering in a new era under Stevenson Bone. The former Western Mustangs quarterback has built a strong coaching resume after winning a Vanier Cup as a player, spending three seasons as running backs coach at Guelph before serving as UBC’s offensive coordinator. In Vancouver, he guided Garrett Rooker and the Thunderbirds to consistently high offensive outputs in Canada West. If even a couple of those one-score losses flip their way, Alberta could re-emerge as a playoff threat.
I like Alberta returning most of their starters from last year. OL depth is promising, many games will be won with physicality in the trenches. — Chase Carter, Writer, OUA
Editor's Note: All times are local. Canada West starts a week later than OUA, RSEQ, and AUS.