The Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy (Trophée Jeff Russel) is awarded to the RSEQ's most valuable player. Quarterbacks have won the award 15 times out of the 20 times it has been awarded since its reintroduction to Quebec university football in 2003. Three running backs have won the award, most recently Carabin Rotrand Sené in 2012. Two receivers have won the award, including Simon Charbonneau-Campeau in 2011 & 2012, the last back-to-back winner.
Arnaud Desjardins, Laval Rouge et Or
As the reigning RSEQ Player of the Year it's hard to leave someone with the resume of Desjardins off of the list of potential candidates. Desjardins, a two time All-Canadian (First-Team 2022, Second-Team 2024), a two time Vanier Cup Champion (2022, 2024) comes into his fifth and final season looking to add to his trophy cabinet.
In 2024, Desjardins once again led the Quebec Conference in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage. He will look to dominate the conference once again in his final season. Something to keep an eye on as well is Desjardins is only 14 touchdown passes away from tying Laval great Hugo Richard for the all time passing touchdowns record in the RSEQ.
Olivier Cool, Laval Rouge et Or
Cool was a dominant force in 2024, finishing first in the RSEQ and third in U SPORTS with 721 receiving yards. He also tied for first in the country with 10 touchdown receptions, earning a first-team All-Canadian nod.
With Desjardins back under centre, Cool is primed for another big season in 2025. Entering only his third year, he’ll be a key piece in Laval’s bid to repeat as national champions. The duo of Cool and his well seasoned veteran pivot will cause even more havoc going into the 2025 season. Look for Cool to put up video game like numbers in his third season. It was only three seasons ago where we saw Laval receiver Kevin Mital put the country on notice. Will history repeat itself?
Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald, McGill Redbirds
Latendresse-Regimbald is a true dual threat talent who has the ability to turn every play from nothing into something. Magnificent with his legs in 2024, the 6’4" signal caller led the RSEQ in rushing yards with 781 and had six more rushing touchdowns than the next closest player in the conference, with nine.
Latendresse-Regimbald is also a threat with his arm, passing for over 2000 yards and adding eight more touchdowns through the air. His leading receiver Darius Simmons returns as well as four of five starting offensive lineman. McGill also added depth in the rushing department by bringing in highly touted running back Jerry Momo.
Look for Eloa to spread the field out with his feet and his arm this season. Another potential RSEQ record is at risk this season as Latendresse-Regimbald sits only 11 rushing touchdowns away from the all-time record.
Enrique Jaimes Leclair, Montreal Carabins
The 2024 U SPORTS Rookie of the Year and Second-Team All-Canadian Enrique Jaimes Leclair is one of the most versatile receivers in the conference. It seemed like every week last season our feeds were filled with some sort of acrobatic catch made by this guy.
Finishing with a solid 475 yards and five touchdowns (ranking second in the conference) in 2024, will the 6'0" Jaimes Leclair take the next step in 2025 and establish himself as one of the best in the country?
Mendel Joseph, Concordia Stingers
The reigning RSEQ Defensive Player of the Year and 2025 First-Team All-Canadian returns to the Stingers in 2025 for just his third season. A nightmare for opposing quarterbacks in 2024 with six pass deflections and four interceptions, including a pick six, Joseph will play a key part of a Stingers defense who will field four conference all-stars in 2025.
The first Stinger to capture the Defensive Player of the Year in 13 years, look for Joseph to repeat his production in 2025 as part of a veteran defense.
Edward Boivin, Sherbrooke Vert et Or
The 6’2" defensive end was one of the best defensive players in the conference in 2024. Boivin finished second in the conference and top 10 in the country with five sacks, while leading the conference and tying for fifth in the nation with 9.5 tackles for loss. Boivin was also productive in the turnover category in 2024 adding two forced fumbles and capturing an interception.
right from Sherbrooke’s opener against Concordia
All of this was more than enough for Boivin to be named as an RSEQ All-Star in 2024. Is there more hardware waiting for Boivin in 2025?