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Okoli, Stewart selected to participate in upcoming CFL Invitational Combine
Posted: Feb 08, 2024

Okoli, Stewart selected to participate in upcoming CFL Invitational Combine

Two Saint Mary's Huskies football players - linebacker Isaiah Okoli (Surrey, BC) and receiver Liam Stewart (Port Coquitlam, BC) - have been selected to attend the upcoming 2024 CFL Invitational Combine Presented by New Era, taking place March 8 at the University of Waterloo.

"We're very happy to see Isaiah and Liam selected to participate in this year's CFL Invitational Combine," says Huskies head coach Steve Sumarah. "Isaiah and Liam have been leaders in our program, and are being rewarded for the commitment they have shown to training to take their game to the highest levels possible."

Liam Stewart, a third year criminology major from Port Coquitlam, BC, has been selected as an AUS All-Star at receiver each of the past two seasons. In the 2023 season, Stewart started seven games for the Huskies leading the team in receiving yards (404), and ranking second on the team in receptions (18) and touchdowns (3). Over his three seasons with the Huskies, Stewart has appeared in 18 games, recording 49 receptions for 866 yards and five touchdowns

Isaiah Okoli, a third year linebacker out of Surrey, BC, recorded 25 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and one fumble recovery in seven games this season. Over his three years with the Huskies, Okoli has recorded 85.5 total tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovery.

Both Okoli and Stewart participated in the 2023 U SPORTS East-West Bowl, with Okoli scoring on a 42-yard interception return, and Stewart finding the end zone on a 43-yard touchdown catch, helping lead Team East to a 37-0 thrashing of Team West in the annual university football all-star game in Hamilton, ON.

In addition, former Huskies receiver Ife Adebogun (Regina, SK) has also been invited to the combine. Adebogun played with the Huskies during the 2021 AUS season. 

Huskies football has become a hotbed of CFL prospects over the past few seasons. Last season, four Huskies were invited to participate in the CFL National Combine - tight end Sebastian Howard, linebacker Markcus Jean-Loescher, defensive end Aidan John and defensive back Jassin States-McClean - with all four players going on to be selected in the CFL Draft, as well as former receiver Shedler Fervius.

"It's just a reflection of the hard work and development that these student-athletes have put in over the past few years," says Sumarah. "Lots of athletes come here with the goal to play professionally, and I think once again this is showing that Saint Mary's has the capability to help players reach that goal of getting a shot at the next level."

 

TORONTO (February 8, 2024) – Ahead of the Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft and CFL Global Draft on April 30, over 140 draft-eligible prospects are slated to showcase their skills for the league's general managers, coaches and player personnel.

The University of Waterloo's Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House will be home to the CFL Invitational Combine on March 8. The top prospects identified at the event will join the top-ranked class of 2024 at the Winnipeg Soccer Federation North indoor facility for the CFL Combine presented by New Era from March 19 to 24.

Media members planning to attend either event must apply for accreditation here. A media block at The Fort Garry Hotel is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

CFL INVITATIONAL COMBINE PRESENTED BY NEW ERA

  • March 8
  • Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House at the University of Waterloo
    ​220 Columbia St. W
    ​Waterloo, Ont.
    ​N2L 0A1
  • Participants
  • 8 a.m. ET: Circuit begins
  • 5:30 p.m. ET (approx.): Announcement of prospects invited to the CFL Combine
  • Complete testing schedule attached
  • Following all testing, prospects will be made available via request to Lucas Barrett, Associate Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs at lbarrett@cfl.ca. ​

CFL COMBINE PRESENTED BY NEW ERA

CFL COMBINE POSITIONAL COACHES
​(Position | Name | Affiliation)

  • Offensive Coordinator | Dominic Picard | Toronto Argonauts
  • Quarterbacks | Cory Waldbauer | University of Manitoba
  • Running Backs | Nathan Taylor | Ottawa REDBLACKS
  • Receivers | Namaan Roosevelt | Hamilton Tiger-Cats
  • Offensive Line | Marty Costello | Winnipeg Blue Bombers
  • Defensive Coordinator | Dwayne Cameron | Calgary Stampeders
  • Defensive Line | Tanya Henderson | BC Lions
  • Linebackers | JC Sheritt | Saskatchewan Roughriders
  • Defensive Backs | Noel Thorpe | Montreal Alouettes
  • Special Teams | Mike Scheper | Edmonton Elks

CFL COMBINE – MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

GMs and Head Coaches Availability

  • Tuesday, March 19
  • Virtual team-by-team schedule and details to be announced closer to the date.

Prospect Availability

  • Wednesday, March 20
  • In-person interview requests will be facilitated on-site.
  • Virtual and phone requests can be made to Lucas Barrett at lbarrett@cfl.ca. ​

CFL Combine

  • Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 24
  • Following testing and practices, prospects will be made available.
  • In-person interview requests will be facilitated on-site.
  • Virtual and phone requests can be made to Lucas Barrett at lbarrett@cfl.ca. ​