The CFL’s Invitational Combine is slated for Friday in Waterloo, with more than 80 prospects hoping to catch the eyes of CFL scouts and earn an invitation to the National showcase in Edmonton.
The Invitational is the venue for the underutilized, the overlooked, the undersized, and the flawed. It offers a chance for players who have question marks to answer those in testing and competitive drills, fighting their way back onto the draft radar. While many will prove to be exactly what scouts expected, every year offers a handful of hidden gems.
Last season, 10 players who attended the Invitational Combine were drafted, including Luka Stoikos, who just represented Canada at the Winter Olympics in Milan. Alumni from the Invitational and the Regional Combine circuit that preceded it include former first overall pick Jordan Williams, current Redblacks right tackle Zack Pelehos, ratio-breaking Stampeders cornerback Adrian Greene, and Riders star receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker.
Here are eight offensive players that I’ll have my eye on when the action gets underway on Friday. Make sure to check back tomorrow for the defensive players.
RB Malcolm Bussey, St. Francis Xavier University (Hammond Plains, N.S.)
You won’t find a player with a more illustrious resume than Bussey at the Invitational, as St. FX’s all-time leading rusher amassed over 4,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 37 touchdowns during his time in Antigonish. The five-foot-11, 200-pound back has been “the man” for his entire football career, dating back to high school when he was named Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of New Hampshire. However, that statistical output is only a small part of what it takes to play at the next level, and scouts will need to see athletic measurables that translate beyond the Maritimes, particularly after he lost the entire 2024 season to injury.
REC Frederick Hachey, Carleton University (Laval, Que.)
A consistent producer throughout his four seasons with the Ravens, Hachey has caught 111 passes for 1,932 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career despite some suspect quarterbacking. Though skinny in his frame, the six-foot-one, 184-pound target also possesses a similar athletic profile to many of the receivers invited directly to the National Combine, testing on par with guys like Carter Kettyle at East-West Bowl. What’s lacking is the same consistency and polish to his tape, but a strong day in the one-on-ones could prove his ability to separate.
OL Alexendre Masri-Fliss, Université Laval (Quebec, Que.)
An RSEQ all-star at right guard in 2024, Masri-Fliss brings the type of heavy hands and pounding feet that you look for in interior offensive linemen. The six-foot-four, 305-pound bruiser likely projects as a centre at the next level and knows how to carve out a slab of rib meat when uncovered, though some of Laval’s opponents make that easier than others. He’ll need to prove that he has enough athleticism to make plays at the second level if he wants to distinguish himself in a deep, NCAA-heavy offensive line class.
RB Donavin Milloy, University of Guelph (Hamilton, Ont.)
An undersized home-run hitter for the Gryphons, Milloy may be the most athletically gifted running back in this class and should test like it. With over 2,000 career yards and a 2023 OUA all-star selection, the five-foot-nine, 180-pound scat back has been more productive at Guelph than his backfield playmate, Isaiah Smith, who is invited to the National, but lacks his durability and pro-ready frame. The most important portion of the day for Milloy will be the pass-blocking one-on-ones, as he’ll need to prove some physicality to advance.
OL Victor Olaniran, University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Man.)
A stalwart right tackle on an exceptional Bisons offensive line, there is general consensus from scouts that Olaniran is a legitimate CFL prospect. The challenge is marrying his tape, which shows a rugged run blocker and dominant puller, with his atrocious testing numbers from the East-West Bowl last year. The six-foot-four, 305-pounder doesn’t need to blow up the Invitational Combine, but a little improvement in key areas could go a long way towards cementing his draft stock, particularly if he performs as expected in the one-on-ones.
REC Matt Sibley, University of Calgary (Calgary, Alta.)
At six feet and 185 pounds, Sibley looks small and slight compared to his contemporaries, but he emerged as a legitimate slot option for the Dinos this season, putting up 506 yards in just six games. He’s shown the speed and twitch to overcome his lack of size, which should translate into strong testing numbers and a productive day in the competitive drills. Used to making tough catches from Calgary’s developing QBs, I would not be surprised if Sibley produces a highlight or two worthy of promotion.
TE Liam Silverson, Queen’s University (Kingston, Ont.)
This draft class is unusually packed with high-quality H-Backs and tight ends, but that doesn’t mean that Silverson’s six-foot-six, 246-pound frame can be ignored. The Kingston native saw his role with the Gaels expand once his predecessor — and top 2026 Draft prospect — Niklas Henning was moved to offensive tackle, and he shows equally intriguing movement skills for his size. While he doesn’t always bend well enough to blow opponents out of the hole, there are enough highlight reel blocks on his tape to merit a longer look.
QB Alex Vreeken, Queen’s University (Kingston, Ont.)
Smart money has the CFL calling up a fourth quarterback to the National, as Christian Veilleux will have a pro day opportunity and Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald would be wise to practice at other positions. Vreeken is the obvious choice to get that nod, as he is coming off a standout season with the Gaels that saw him throw 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions. The six-foot-four, 210-pound pivot won’t realistically get a shot at the pros, but his improved ball placement and arm strength would be a net positive for everyone in Edmonton.
