WATERLOO, Ont. - Seven Golden Hawks received invitations to showcase their skills at the 2026 CFL Combines.
Marcus Tenney (DL), Omari Hastings (DL), Ryan Speight (FB), and Josh Connors (LB) are set to attend the CFL Invitational Combine on March 6 at the University of Waterloo's Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House.
The Golden Hawks' defensive linemen have been key to the team's success over their careers. During the 2025 season, the defense allowed the second-fewest points per game and allowed the fewest rushing yards per game.
Tenney appeared in 22 regular season games for the Golden Hawks, collecting 30.5 total tackles. The OUA All-Star also had 9.5 tackles for 30 lost yards and 5.5 sacks worth 23-yards. Hastings also showed he could bring down quarterbacks with three sacks for 19-yards, along with 36 total tackles.
Connors was a new addition to the 2025 Laurier squad after spending three seasons with STFX in the AUS. Out east, he played 21 games and had 70 solo, 33 assists, and 86.5 total tackles, seven of those for loss and 4.5 were sacks. He also had one interception.
With the Golden Hawks, Connors appeared in five regular season games and had 10.5 total tackles.
Speight, the lone offensive player invited to the regional combine, will be looking to make up for lost time as he appeared in only four games in 2025 before going down with a season-ending injury.
The Brantford, Ont., native had 10 receptions for 104-yards in 28 career games.
Tenney, Hastings, Connors, and Speight will be looking to join Sebastian Parsalidis (FB), Spencer Walsh (OL), and Jesulayomi Ojutalayo (WR), who have already secured their trip to the National Combine in Edmonton taking place from March 27-29.
Three-time OUA All-Star and U SPORTS All-Canadian Parsalidis caught the attention of scouts at the 2025 U SPORTS East-West Bowl, and throughout the 2025 season with his versatility and blocking ability.
Walsh has been an anchor for Laurier's offensive line during his career. This past season, he was part of an offensive line that only allowed seven sacks during the regular and postseason, as well as paving the way for a rushing attack that was in the league's top five rushing categories.
Fresh off a trip to the College Gridiron Showcase, Laurier's special teams captain in Ojutalayo appeared in 31 regular season games with the purple and gold, catching 44 passes for 723-yards and seven touchdowns.
"We are very excited for this year's group getting to represent themselves and Laurier Football at the National and Invitational Combines," manager of football operations and head coach Todd Galloway said.
"These seven young men have worked extremely hard for this opportunity, and I know they will show very well. For Laurier Football, this shows that once again, hard work, commitment to the process, and our development model can allow our student-athletes to achieve both team and personal success. I wish them all the best and can't wait to see them shine."
The group of seven will look to improve their draft stock ahead of the CFL Draft set to take place on April 28.
