It has been 16 long years since the Queen’s Gaels last brought home a Vanier Cup. Despite the drought, the goal has never faltered: bring Kingston it’s ninth national title.
The road back has come with many obstacles. The 2010s saw the Gaels struggle to compete for playoff football. A much needed change in leadership saw head coach Steve Snyder take over the reins for the 2019 season. Since then, the Gaels have once again become a top team in the OUA, boasting an impressive 27-11 overall record under Snyder (including six playoff wins).
Heading into the 2024 season, expectations were high. The Gaels would finish the regular season with a 5-3 overall record, finishing third in the OUA, but would fall to the Laurier Golden Hawks in the OUA semifinal.
Unfortunately, the Gaels won’t have time to ease into the 2025 season – they open their campaign at Richardson Stadium on Aug. 23 against the perennially dominant Western Mustangs, a marquee matchup to kick off the new OUA season. Queen’s hasn't beaten their long-time rivals in over a decade, recording an 0-14 record against the purple and silver since 2012. An opening win over Western would show that the Gaels are ready to take that next step, and compete for a Yates Cup.
Another key date for the team this season is Aug. 3o, when Queen’s visits the McMaster Marauders. The Gaels will look to extend their winning streak against the Marauders to eight games. The last time they lost this matchup was before the Snyder era, in 2018.
Queen’s will wrap up their regular season on Oct. 18 against the Windsor Lancers. With OUA playoff seedings almost always coming down to the wire, this game could have major implications for postseason home field advantage.
But regardless of who the opponent is, every game will matter this season if the Gaels are to return to the mountaintop, and bring Kingston its first national title since 2009.
Offence
In 2024, the Gaels offence displayed consistency and composure, averaging 329.6 yards per game, a balance of 137.4 rushing yards and 217.1 passing yards per game. This production resulted in a total of 34 offensive touchdowns during the regular season. They scored an average of 30.4 points per game, going 18-for-28 on red-zone touchdowns for an impressive 64 per cent completion rate inside the 20-yard line.
Coming into the 2025 season, the Gaels offence is poised to be one the most veteran loaded units in the Steve Snyder era. This group has the potential to put up some explosive performances.
As with any football team, all eyes will be on the QB1, Alex Vreeken. Entering his fourth year of eligibility, the Kingston native is expected to take the reins as the Gaels primary quarterback. His career so far has been one of excellence, as well as frustration with injuries. Vreeken will look to flip the script this year and remain healthy for the duration of the season. When he’s on the field, there is no question about his talent.
He can launch a ball 60 yards with ease, plays with fearlessness (sometimes to a fault), and has earned the respect of teams across the OUA. If he can stay healthy, expect Vreeken to be among the top QBs in all of U SPORTS.
Queen’s offence will also feature quarterback-turned-receiver Russell Weir, the ultimate swiss army knife. There are very few players that provide the same kind of versatility as Weir.
Russell’s father, Rob Weir, was a part of the Gaels’ 1992 Vanier Cup winning team. More than 30 years later, Russell has a chance to move that legacy forward and help Queen’s end their championship drought.
Most of his time will likely be spent in the slot this year, but don’t act surprised if he lines up just about anywhere. Last season, he was used as a gadget player. Responsible for taking handoffs, running jet sweeps, he even stepped back into the pocket in the playoffs, throwing a touchdown pass against the Windsor Lancers in the OUA quarterfinal. Weir’s adaptability has become a staple in his game, and a secret weapon for the Gaels offence. You can think of him as a Antwaan Randle El type of player, a guy who impacts winning in multiple ways.
Another offensive player who is poised to have a big year for the tricolour is runningback Jared Chisari. Coming off a Second Team All-Canadian season, Chisari proved he can put up numbers, finishing 2024 with 131 carries for 891 yards, 99 per game, and seven touchdowns. His monster season included a statement performance against McMaster where he rushed for 191 yards and scored three touchdowns. Chisari will look to solidify his name as one of the best backs in U SPORTS this season.
With an experienced QB1, a swiss army knife, one of the best rusher’s in the game, and a returning receiving core with Nathan Falconi and Nico Kwemo, the Gael’s offence is poised for a major year.
Defence
In 2024, Queen’s was ranked sixth overall in the OUA in terms of points allowed and yards allowed per game. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. They would finish second in the conference in turnovers generated with 17, 11 interceptions and six fumble recoveries. They would also put up three defensive touchdowns, tied for most of any team in U SPORTS.
But things are looking a bit different defensively for the Gaels heading into the 2025 season. They will be losing some major players along the defensive line. Van Wishart, Darian Newell and Silas Hubert will be among the most notable losses. They were all capable of generating pressure in the pass game, and reliable in big moments. Notably, Hubert took his talents to the CFL and is suiting up for the Edmonton Elks this year. Replacing these key pieces will be a primary challenge for the Gaels defence heading into the new campaign.
But despite losing some veteran starters, the Gaels return one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country: Justin Pace.
Pace was a force to be reckoned with last year, racking up 89 total tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles en-route to a First-Team All-Canadian nod. He also closed key games with a strip against McMaster, and a game-sealing pick vs. Guelph, both vital plays to secure wins. In 2025, he won’t just be Queen’s top defensive player, he may be the one of the top defenders in all of U SPORTS, entering as a strong candidate to win the prestigious Presidents' Trophy.
Another Gael that could begin to make moves in 2025 is defensive lineman Ollie Jackson. Look for Jackson to take the lead as a pass-rush specialist. He has shown serious upside during his career, particularly in a performance against the Guelph Gryphons last season, where he registered two sacks. With more experience, Jackson has the tools to develop into one of the top defensive linemen in the conference.
In addition to that, the Gaels have a young group of defensive tackles that are eager to make the jump this year in Tristan Burrell, Garang Uguak, and Kingston native Thomas Nitschke. The coaching staff believes they have great potential to develop into very strong players. For a program that prides itself on building the team from the line of scrimmage first, these three players are poised for bigger roles this season.
You can’t mention Queen’s defensive unit without bringing up defensive back Ashton Miller-Melancon. After being selected in the CFL draft this year by the Calgary Stampeders, Miller-Melancon returns to Queen’s for his final year. His exceptional resume includes a First Team All-Canadian, three OUA All-Star nods, an OUA All-Rookie and a U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian. In 40 games with the tricolour, the defensive back has recorded 150 total tackles (108 solo, 42 assisted) and 16 interceptions. Having Miller-Melancon back is huge for the Gaels and will give them much needed veteran leadership in the backend.
Although the defensive unit had some major losses from last year’s roster, they are ready to retool. Led by Pace and Miller-Melancon, and with a strong supporting cast including Ollie Jackson, Tristan Burrell, Garang Uguak, and Thomas Nitschke, The next iteration of the defensive team is ready.
Special Teams
2024 was a standout year for the Gaels’ special team unit. With returning stars, they should be set to maintain the competitive edge.
Iain St. Arnault had a record setting year last season, with over 1000 return yards. The bulk of those came within a seven-day period when he scored two return touchdowns against the York Lions, then added a third one week later against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. A consistent threat in both punt and kick return situations, St. Arnault poses a matchup nightmare to any opponent in the OUA. This season expect the Gaels to use Iain more at defensive back, a natural fit for the athleticism he brings to the table.
Another standout for the special teams this year will be kicker Tyler Mullen. In 2022, Mullen had a perfect season, going 17-17 on field goals, as well as 32-32 on extra points, totalling 83 points on the year. Last season he was stellar again, going 17-20 on field goals and 33- 33 on extra points, totalling 86 points on the year. Mullen is a kicker who has developed professional range and could very well be one of, if not the, best kicker in all of U SPORTS.
With Iain St Arnault’s explosive returns, Tyler Mullen being extremely reliable in field goal conversions, and the booming leg of Matt Driver kicking punts, the special teams unit shows no signs of slowing down.
Coaching & Culture
Since taking over the reins, Snyder has only missed the playoffs in his inaugural year, 2019, and has led the Gaels to back-to-back Yates Cup appearances, in 2021 and 2022. With a community first approach, it is clear he has made the Gaels a contender once again.
Supporting Snyder will be special teams assistant and defensive backs coach, Thompson McCallum. This offseason, McCallum was selected to be a part of the CFL’s Diversity in Football program, spending time working with the Ottawa Redblacks scouting and football operations department. OB.SESSED had a chance to speak with him about this experience.
My experience with the RedBlacks was really positive," said McCallum. "The biggest takeaway for me was the level of detail involved in evaluating players — the specific skills and attributes they look for — as well as how they analyze opponents throughout the league. I plan to bring that same detailed approach to scouting our opponents and breaking down their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies."
Another coach with CFL experience is offensive coordinator Matt Nesbitt. Spending one season with the Toronto Argonauts as an assistant offensive line coach, Nesbitt brings a wealth of experience to the Gaels as a former Yates Cup champion with the Guelph Gryphons in 2015. With a loaded offense this season, Nesbitt will look to utilize his experience to help the Gaels put points on the board.
With a solid foundation in coaching, the Gaels will look to utilize their experienced staff to help Queen’s bring championship glory back to Kingston.
But just as important as the leaders you have, is also the culture they build. Queen’s football is all about community. When OB.SESSED spoke with Jesse Bell, the program coordinator with CFRC, a local radio and news station in Kingston, he praised the team for having an impact on the surrounding community.
The thing that stuck out most to me is how sincere these guys are about making a connection and difference in the Kingston community," said Bell. "Whether it's being a very vocal part of the student section at our varsity sports games, Brock vs. Queens, OUA basketball final [in 2024], Alex Vreeken and the guys were the central part of the student section."
"They brought their own noisemakers. It was incredible. They're also a pretty public presence at charity initiatives here in Kingston. My favourite thing that they're involved with is something called Gaels Tackle Hunger, which is a partnership with a local food bank. So that would be the number one thing for me is just how sincere these guys are about being these great community members."
2025 presents another opportunity for the Queen’s Gaels to take that next step in their road to the program's 9th national title. With a returning offensive core, a retooled defense, and an explosive special teams unit, the Gaels present a threat on all fronts. Guided by coach Steve Snyder and the community first culture he has created, the Gaels are poised to climb to the top of the OUA once again. The only question that remains – can they finally prove they once again belong at the pinnacle of Canadian university football?