Players from Wilfrid Laurier and the University of Guelph picked in the CFL draft

Canadian Football League logo on a football at opening day of CFL training camp in Guelph, Ont., on Sunday, May 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Football players from Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Guelph heard their names called out Tuesday in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft.

Five of them play for the Golden Hawks.

Jesulayomi Ojutalayo was selected in the third round, and 26th overall, by the Calgary Stampeders. The receiver and economics major hails from Shelburne, Ont.

His teammate, Spencer Walsh, was chosen 32nd overall in the fourth round. The offensive lineman from Brantford, Ont. is headed to the Edmonton Elks.

Three other Golden Hawks were picked up in the eighth and final round.

The Ottawa Redblacks selected linebacker Josh Connors, while Sebastian Parsaidis will play for his hometown team, the Toronto Argonauts.

The last name announced in the draft was Ryan Speight from Brantford, Ont. The defensive back found a home with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Laurier said it was the school’s largest draft class in 39 years.

Two Guelph Gryphons are also headed to the CFL.

Isaiah Smith was picked in round two, and 11th overall, by the Toronto Argonauts. The running back will start his rookie season with a bit of a home field advantage, as the Argos will once again hold spring training at Alumni Stadium. This year, however, the team will also start the regular season in Guelph because BMO Field is being used for the FIFA World Cup from June 11 to July 19.

Mitchel Schechinger, an offensive lineman for the Gryphons, was drafted in round six by the Calgary Stampeders.