Photo courtesy of AllSportMedia.ca

Thursday morning the CFL revealed the players that have been invited to the 2025 National Combine from March 21-23 and will take place in Regina. 

Like most previous years, there are some familiar CJFL faces that have been invited and will attempt to show off their skills catching the eye of CFL coaches and scouts.  This is the final time draft eligible players will be able to display their craft in live action in front of the representatives of the CFL.

Linebacker Chopper Hippe played for the Edmonton Wildcats and was simply outstanding in 2018 and 2019. He was named the Prairie Conference Rookie of the Year in 2018 after collecting 35 solo tackles, three assisted stops, two quarterback sacks, blocked a kick, forced a fumble and intercepted a pass.  Then in 2019 he led the Conference with 49 solo tackles.  

Defensive back Dolani Robinson (pictured) played for the Westshore Rebels for two seasons in 2021 and 2022. When he first got to the Rebels he was on the offensive side of the ball as a receiver and made 13 receptions for 123 yards while also returning 15 kicks for 151 yards. The following season he made the jump to defence and really hit his stride collecting 33 solo tackles, had nine assisted stops, an interception, knocked down three passes and recovered a fumble.   He was named a BC Conference All-Star.

Offensive lineman Connor Klassen played a major role for the Regina Thunder in 2021 and 2022.  He would help make the Thunder running attack one of the most feared across the country.  In 2022 he was named a CJFL First Team All-Canadian and helped the Thunder to host the Canadian Bowl that season.   He was named a Prairie Conference All-Star in both 2021 and 2022. 

Defensive back Mack Bannatyne played for the Calgary Colts in 2019 and made an impact in the secondary.   During the regular season he made 15 solo tackles, assisted on 10 others, collected five knockdowns and intercepted a pass, returning it 17 yards.

These four former CJFLers will join a cast of other draft hopefuls in mid-March to try and solidify their place ahead of the 2025 CFL Draft on April 29th. 
 

Photo courtesy of Wanda Harron Photography

The Prairie Conference champion Regina Thunder will look a bit different on both sides of the ball in 2025 following the graduation of several key pieces of their championship run last year.  They say goodbye to 13 players, eight of which of the offensive side including four offensive linemen.

RB Sadik Sadik (pictured) was outstanding this past season named the Conference’s Outstanding Running Back and a CJFL Second Team All-Canadian after rushing for 781 yards, averaging 7.4 yards a carry and scored 10 touchdowns.  He added 12 receptions and two more touchdowns while gaining 15.3 yards with each reception.  Furthermore, he found himself back returning kickoffs as well and returned nine kicks for 314 yards, averaging almost 35 yards with each return. He leaves behind massive production numbers for the Thunder to fill.

REC Zak Woidyla led the Thunder with 39 receptions and 430 yards in 2024 and hauled in three touchdowns while averaging 11 yards a catch.  He was a big target for the Thunder quarterbacks and will be missed.

REC Austin Wood was a solid contributor from his receiver position making 24 receptions for 254 yards, averaging over 10 yards a catch and caught a touchdown pass.

REC Mason Lakustiak was a veteran leader in the locker room that helped some of the younger Thunder players in their preparation for the season and individual games in 2024.

The Thunder offensive line graduates four players and will look for other players to step up to match the skill and intensity that these four brought each game.  The Thunder had one of the most potent offences in the CJFL last season thanks in large part to the protection their quarterbacks received behind Max McFadden, Ty Milne, Noah Steinley and Eric Boyd who have all now graduated.

LB Stephen Smith leaves an enormous hole on the Thunder roster.  He is the back-to-back CJFL Defensive Player of the Year and a highly decorated player at the Conference and League level.  Last season alone he tallied 37 tackles, assisted on 22 others, had 2.5 tackles for a loss, a pair of knockdowns and even intercepted a pass returning it 23 yards.  Following the CJFL season, Smith signed with the Toronto Argos hoping to play professional football.  He his arguably the Thunder’s biggest grad on and off the field.

LB Mitchell Tanchak made a lethal duo with Stephen Smith at the linebacker position this past season. He recorded 25 tackles, had 18 assists, 3.5 tackles for a loss, half a sack, a knockdown and two interceptions.  He was second on the team in defensive points, behind Smith. 

DB Adam King was a ballhawk in the Thunder secondary.  The former CJFL All-Canadian and Conference All-Star had another outstanding season in 2024 shutting down the opposition’s receivers making 21 tackles, 13 assists, he had a pick, blocked a kick, had 3.5 tackles for a loss, two knockdowns and forced a pair of fumbles.

DB Tristan Bergquist was a lockdown defensive back of the Thunder during his CJFL career and leaves a significant hole in their secondary.  In 2024 alone he had 17 tackles, 11 assists, two tackles for a loss, three knockdowns, recovered a fumble and had an interception.

DL Jesse Illunga is another player of the defensive side that graduates from the Thunder program after making a solid contribution during his CJFL career.

The CJFL wishes all of these players a happy graduation!