Editor's Note: Stats were recorded before Week 7 games.
With only a few games to go in the 2025 U SPORTS football regular season, we have seen enough to formulate various opinions on players and teams.
There have been many memorable moments already this year, and we have had the privilege of studying numerous great players across six games.
Now, just as the playoffs are around the corner and teams' long-term fates are starting to come into view for this year, we at OB.SESSED decided that the time is right to list five of Ontario's most entertaining players so far in 2025.
Without further ado, this list is in no particular order and be sure to let us know if you agree or disagree with our selections.
#1: Ethan Dolby, RB, Western
Photo credits: Brandon VandeCaveye/Mustang Athletics
It would be an utter crime not to include the nation's rushing leader on arguably the country's best team. Through five games, Dolby, who has compiled 858 rushing yards so far, is averaging an astonishing 171.6 yards per game and has scored 11 rushing touchdowns so far, both of which are nation-leading in their respective categories.
The 5'11", 210-pound St Thomas, Ont. native, has successfully picked up the torch held by other great Mustang running backs of the past and has run wild with it. His best performance of the year came just a few weeks back against Carleton, where he ran for 230 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries. He has not played a game where he has rushed for under 100 yards yet, and is recording a ridiculous 10.0 yards per carry.
To their credit, Dolby is playing behind a mauling offensive line, but his insane rushing production speaks for itself and for his talent. A 1000-yard rushing season is very much possible for him, and if Western ends up cruising through the postseason, it will be on the heels of its dominant rushing attack led by number 29 himself.
#2: Chris Joseph, WR, Toronto
Photo credits: Barry McCluskey/Varsity Blues Athletics
Joseph is having a career year unlike any other. The Varsity Blues got off to a hot start this year, and it was mainly behind the offensive efforts of Joseph, fellow receiver Jake Oseen, and quarterback Scott Barnett.
If you look up the national statistical receiving categories, you will find Joseph's name all over the place. He is second in the country in receiving yards (690), first in catches (58), tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (four), and third in receiving yards per game (115.0). A year after being the Varsity Blues' receiving leader, Joseph became a record breaker in 2025.
In just Toronto's first game, against Carleton, Joseph recorded a ridiculous 19-catch, 310-yard receiving day with two touchdown grabs. His 19 catches were a program record and tied the U SPORTS national record, while his receiving yards tally of 310 shattered a 12-year-old program record initially set by Paul de Pass.
That's not it either. Just last weekend, Joseph broke the Varsity Blues' single-season reception mark with 58, which was a 44-year-old record set by Mark Magee back in 1981.
His efficiency and sheer ability to make tough catches and big plays are entirely invaluable for Toronto. He is a quarterback's dream to have as a pass catcher and is one of the most frequently targeted players in Canada, along with his running mate, Oseen. It is a shame we will not see him in playoff action, which is why it's important to savour him now.
#3: Xavier Malone, LB, Carleton.
A bright spot for a struggling Carleton Ravens defence, Xavier Malone has been a gamebreaker through six games.
Ranking second in tackles per game (7.0), third in total tackles (35.0), tied for tenth in sacks (three), while recording a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and a pass breakup, Malone has been the epitome of a sideline-to-sideline, do-everything linebacker.
The fourth-year linebacker's best performance came in the Ravens' Week Two 19-14 win over the Waterloo Warriors, where he notched eight tackles and three sacks. His production has been sustained througout, the entire season and he has been Carleton's most impactful defender, as he is the team leader in tackles and sacks.
Carleton has a fleeting chance to make the playoffs, so Malone may be able to showcase his abilities in a playoff setting. He is a missile of a linebacker and someone who immediately makes their presence known to the viewer quickly. Offences always need to account for the location of Carleton's number 43.
#4: Ethan Jordan, WR, Laurier
Photo credits: Tiffany Luke/Golden Hawks
Jordan has picked up right where he left off in 2024. Playing for an offensively-heavy team, Jordan's statistical marks are entirely off the charts in a national conversation.
Reinforcing the notion in most people's minds that he is, once again, Canada's best receiver, Jordan's numbers are awe-inspiring as he is nations' leader in receiving yards (705) and receiving yards per game (141.0), while ranking in the top three for receiving touchdowns (seven), receptions (41), and receptions per game (8.2).
A year after becoming the first Laurier receiver to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season, Jordan, once again, plunged himself deeper into the purple and gold football annals of history at Laurier.
Last week, he passed current McMaster head football coach, Stefan Ptaszek, to become the Golden Hawks' all-time receiving touchdowns leader by hauling in his 29th score through the air in Laurier's blowout homecoming win over Toronto.
He has been invaluable in assisting NCAA transfer, Callum Wither, in adjusting back to the Canadian game by providing his usual style of game-wrecking reliability as a pass catcher. His presence will be an even bigger confidence booster for the Golden Hawks and their fans as the postseason comes around the corner.
#5: Callum Wither, QB, Laurier
Photo credits: Hailey Tripodi/Laurier Athletics
Wither has proven to be a welcome replacement for former quarterback, Taylor Elgersma, in his first year as the starting quarterback at Laurier. Coming in from the NCAA's Ohio Bobcats, Wither has been nothing short of stellar for the Golden Hawks, helping them to the number one seed in Ontario so far.
Ranking fifth in the nation for passing yards (1426), third in touchdown passes (14), and third in completion percentage (72.5%), Wither has been masterful in his command of Laurier's offence.
As well as ranking highly in the general passing statistical categories, Wither is incredibly efficient as a quarterback with the third-highest pass efficiency score in Canada at 185.2. He averages ten yards per attempt and always seems to make the best decision in any given scenario.
As the leader of a serious contender in the OUA and the broader national conversation, Laurier fans have got to feel optimistic about their chances to right their wrong on the big stage with Wither slinging the ball as he is and players like Ethan Jordan, Ryan Hughes, and Tayshaun Jackson surrounding him.
Obviously, there is still a big test to ace before any of that comes into play; an Oct. 18th Yates Cup rematch between undefeated powerhouses Laurier and Western.