WATERLOO, Ont. - Spring football is in the air as seven Golden Hawks suit up for the 2026 U SPORTS East-West Bowl.
The annual event showcases the top 100 U SPORTS players entering their CFL draft-eligible years for a week of practices, a combine evaluation camp, and the prospects game. Participants are selected from a pool of players nominated by their respective universities with each program being represented by a minimum of three players.
"We are very excited for this group's selection to the 2026 East West Bowl. It shows once again that Laurier Football is helping develop student-athletes that the CFL takes notice of," manager of football operations and head coach Todd Galloway said.
"Their body of work to this point has gotten this invite, and I am sure they will show well, represent themselves and Laurier Football at a high level."
The four-player contingent that will represent Team West consists of Jessie Wilkins-Flaricee, Kodi Blackshaw, Ryan Hughes, and Ethan Gregorcic.
On the offensive front, Hughes continued to be a dominant target this past season. The OUA all-star recorded 529-receiving yards and nine touchdowns, which were career highs in both categories.
Blackshaw, who will be a fourth-year hometown Hawk, was named an OUA all-star and All-Canadian last season. The veteran lineman was strong in the trenches and was flawless with his snaps.
The reigning President's Trophy winner in Wilkins-Flaricee headlines the defensive unit. He set new career highs in total tackles with 40.5 and assisted tackles with 21, and he led the league with four fumble recoveries. Wilkins also earned his first selections to the OUA all-star and All-Canadian teams.
Gregorcic rounds out this year's player class. He had 23.5 total tackles and two interceptions in 2025.
Two Golden Hawk coaches will also be in attendance this year in assistant coach, recruiting and student-athlete development Zach Scotto (offensive line) and assistant defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Christian Kuriata (linebackers). Both will serve on the Team East coaching staff.
"We also have two of our great young coaches participating this year. Both play a vital role in our success here at Laurier, and I am excited for them both to get to coach up some of the best of the best in May," Galloway said.
The 2026 East-West Bowl will take place on Saturday, May 9 at the University of Waterloo's Warrior Field with kickoff set for 12:30pm. Tickets are available for purchase now.
