WATERLOO, Ont. - It was a historic night for Laurier Golden Hawks football as five student-athletes heard their names called in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft on Tuesday night.

The five selections marked the program's largest draft class in 39 years, dating back to 1987.

Leading the way was receiver Jesulayomi Ojutalayo, who was selected in the third round, 26th overall, by the Calgary Stampeders.

The six-foot-two, 217-pound economics major from Shelburne, Ont., is coming off a 2025 season that saw him earn OUA First Team All-Star honours and turn heads with one of the most impressive all-around performances at the CFL Combine.

"I'm just happy for the opportunity," Ojutalayo said following the selection. "(The Stampeders) took a chance on me and I'm very grateful for the chance.

"The environment (n Calgary) is what I'm most excited about," he added. "I know some familiar faces there, including coaches and former teammates, so I'm looking forward to getting back together and working in that setting."

Ojutalayo said having that familiarity will help ease the transition to the professional level.

"Obviously it's going to be a task, both mentally and physically," he said. "So just having people that you're familiar with will help ease that."

Despite not expecting to land with Calgary, he embraced the team's approach during the pre-draft process.

"I thought there was no chance I was going to be a Stampeder," he laughed. "But I like that they challenged me. If they have that standard and want to push me, I'm looking forward to that."

His mindset heading into training camp is clear.

"Year one, I'm going to do my best. I'm going to go perform and try to go win a Grey Cup," he said.

Offensive lineman Spencer Walsh followed shortly after, going in the fourth round, 32nd overall, to the Edmonton Elks. The six-foot-three, 294-pound sociology major from Brantford described the moment as surreal.

"It was unbelievable. I didn't expect to go especially that high," Walsh said. "I'm just ready to work and get going with Edmonton. It's a surreal feeling."

Walsh noted the connection with the Elks had been building in the lead-up to the draft.

"They were pretty active talking to me and my agent, so I kind of had a gut feeling they were going to come get me at some point," he said.

Motivated following his recovery from an injury, Walsh said he is eager to prove himself at the next level.

"I just want to get back 100 per cent and show what they got as a prospect," he said. "I think they're getting an athlete who can move in space and be a strong piece on the offensive line."

Three more Golden Hawks were selected in the eighth and final round, including linebacker Josh Connors, who was taken 66th overall by the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

"It was unbelievable. I didn't expect to go where I did, but I'm just ready to work and prove myself," Connors said, who also missed a significant portion of the regular season due to injury before returning in the playoffs. "I just want to get back 100 per cent and show what they got as a prospect."

Connors added the pre-draft communication gave him confidence he would hear his name called.

"They were pretty active talking to me and my agent, so I had a feeling someone was going to come get me," he said.

He also reflected on the support system around him on draft night.

Also selected in the final round was Sebastian Parsalidis, a U SPORTS All-Canadian fullback who went 68th overall to his hometown Toronto Argonauts.

"My reaction was just joy and excitement, honestly," Parsalidis said. "It's kind of surreal to be drafted by the team I grew up watching ...  They're about grit and physicality and that's something I take pride in."

Parsalidis added the opportunity to join a familiar environment makes the moment even more meaningful.

"There's a coach there I know very well who coached me in high school, so it's a pretty special situation," he said. "I'm just excited to get to work and show what I can do."

Despite questions about his size throughout the process, Parsalidis said he never doubted himself.

"I know what I'm capable of, and the people I've played with and against know that too," he said. "It's a bit of a weight off my shoulders that a team took a chance on me. Now I get to prove the rest wrong."

Tight end Ryan Speight was selected 74th overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the final pick of the draft.

"It's honestly surreal," Speight said. "It's been a long journey with some ups and downs, but I'm just grateful a team took a chance on me and believed in what I put on film."

Speight, who was also hampered by injuries the past couple of seasons, said the opportunity validated his overall body of work.

"Knowing they believe in me based on my film means a lot," he said. "No matter where I was picked, I'm just happy to get the opportunity."

He added the moment was especially meaningful given his lifelong connection to the game.

"I grew up watching the CFL, so this is a dream come true," he said, adding that his grandfather also played in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

"I couldn't be more excited and proud of the five who heard their names tonight in the CFL draft," said Laurier manager of football operations and head coach Todd Galloway. "It's a testament to how hard they've worked to put themselves in this situation.

"We like to think here at Laurier that we are known for hard work, and that's what I believe these CFL teams will be getting. Hard working, all business guys who will not only help them on the field, but also be great teammates in the locker room."

CFL Rookie Camps open across the league on May 6 while full training camps open May 10. 

Rosters must be reduced to 75 players (plus non-counters) by May 12 before the final day of camp on May 30. 

The regular season kicks-off on June 4.

Full results can be reviewed at the CFL Draft tracker.