Owen Watrych named U SPORTS 2nd team All-Canadian

STFX third year linebacker Owen Watrych (Yorkton, Sask.) was honoured as a U SPORTS second team All-Canadian at the Vanier Cup awards banquet Thursday night in Regina, Sask. The 6'2, 228-pound Arts student in his second year of eligibility, led the country in tackling this season, averaging 9.2 per game. His 73.5 total tackles (including 54 solo tackles) this season were the most by any player in the country. He also set a new single-season school record for tackles in a season—eclipsing the previous record of 63.5 set by no. 1 overall CFL draft pick Henoc Muamba in 2010. Owen also had 5.5 tackles for loss this season, including one sack, along with two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup. At the confernce level, he was named an AUS defensive all-star and the AUS outstanding defensive player of the year.

The full awards release from U SPORTS follows.

Laurier's Ethan Jordan wins 2025 Hec Crighton Award

Laurier Golden Hawks receiver Ethan Jordan has been awarded the Hec Crighton Trophy as the Most Outstanding Player in U SPORTS football at the annual Vanier Cup award gala, held on Thursday evening in the Saskatchewan capital.

Other major award winners include Western tackle Erik Andersen, who received the J.P. Metras Trophy (Most Outstanding Lineman); Saskatchewan linebacker Seth Hundeby, who took home the Presidents' Trophy (Most Outstanding Standup Defensive Player); Montreal quarterback José Alejandro "Pepe" Gonzalez Garza who won the Peter Gorman Trophy for Rookie of the Year; Alberta receiver Chevy Tomas, who was awarded the Russ Jackson Award for his excellence in football, academics, and community service, and Michael Faulds of Laurier, who won the Frank Tindall Trophy as the Fox40 Coach of the Yea Hec Crighton Trophy (Player of the Year) – Ethan Jordan, Laurier

Ethan Jordan, a four-time OUA all-star and three-time U SPORTS All-Canadian from Chatham, Ont., had a career year and set new records in 2025. His 1,066 receiving yards were a career-high and it was his second consecutive 1,000-yard campaign and he lead U SPORTS in receiving yards. He broke the Laurier football program's career receiving yards record this season with 3,458 and now has the second-most career yards in OUA history. Jordan's 10 touchdowns this season led all OUA receivers for the third straight year and was second in the country. He broke the program record for career receiving touchdowns with 30 and now has the second-most in OUA history. His 68 receptions were the fourth-most single season receptions in OUA history and with 239 career catches, he set a new OUA record. Jordan had a career best 133.3 receiving yards per game thanks to his six games with over 100 yards.

He is the second consecutive Hec Crighton winner from Laurier, following quarterback Taylor Elgersma last year and is the third overall, following Bill Kubas, who won in 1994.

Other nominees: Arnaud Desjardins (Laval), Daniel Wiebe (Saskatchewan), Justin Quirion (Bishop's)

J.P. Metras Trophy (Lineman of the Year) – Erik Andersen, Western

Andersen and the entire Western Mustangs offensive line were influential in opening the gaps and blocking to let the purple and white do what they do best, score. The Western offence led the country with 45.1 points per game, and the veteran lineman and King's University College student was influential in allowing his playmakers time and space to hit their mark all season long. 

Andersen is the third Mustang to win the award, which is named for John Paul Metras, a longtime former coach at Western. He follows Deionte Knight (2021) and Pierre Vercheval (1987).

Other nominees: Alassane Diouf (Montréal), Charlie Parks (Saskatchewan), Cailob Allaby (Saint Mary's). 

Presidents' Trophy (Standup Defensive Player of the Year) – Seth Hundeby, Saskatchewan

Seth Hundeby was one of the most dominant players in the nation in 2025. With 41.5 tackles and three sacks, the linebacker also led Canada West in forced fumbles (3) and was tied for the top spot in both tackles for a loss (6.0) and interceptions (2) despite missing a game. Hundeby becomes the fourth U of S player to win the Presidents' Trophy, following Nelson Lokombo (2019), Mike Letendre (1999) and Warren Muzika (1998).

Other nominees: Justin Cloutier (Laval), Jessie Wilkins (Laurier), Owen Watrych (STFX). 

Peter Gorman Trophy (Rookie of the Year) – José Alejandro "Pepe" Gonzalez Garza, Montréal

Pepe Gonzalez demonstrated the extent of his talent in his first season with the Carabins. The quarterback, who won a gold medal with Team Canada in 2024, broke a programe record with 19 touchdown passes in eight regular season games, the highest total among all RSEQ quarterbacks in 2025 and the second-highest total in the country. With 2,294 passing yards, he led the Quebec conference this season, just 26 yards shy of the team record set last year. These impressive statistics allowed Gonzalez to break all records for a rookie quarterback in Carabins history.

During the RSEQ playoffs, Pepe threw five touchdown passes and racked up 626 passing yards in six quarters of play. At 20 years, 10 months, and 21 days old, he became the youngest quarterback in Carabins history to win the RSEQ championship.

Other nominees: Jackson MacKay (Western), Zion Grant (Calgary), Mathieu Bellavance (Bishop's).

Russ Jackson Award (Athletics, Academics, Community Service) – Chevy Thomas, Alberta

Chieruech "Chevy" Thomas is a 5th-year graduating senior with the University of Alberta Golden Bears who exemplifies the core pillars of the Russ Jackson Award: academic excellence, athletic achievement, and outstanding community leadership. An Academic All-Canadian and respected team captain, Chevy has made a lasting impact both on the field and in the community. He is the Founder and Director of Responsibility 2 Inspire (R2I), a non-profit organization that provides accessible, high-level football development for under-advantaged youth by removing financial barriers to sport participation. His community work extends to Free Play for Kids, VOICE, and five years of multisport youth coaching. Off the field, Chevy has worked in government roles that focus on diversity, inclusion, youth engagement, and community support — demonstrating a commitment to public service beyond athletics.

Thomas is the third Golden Bear to win the award, following Carlo Panaro (1999, 2000) and Sam Stetsko (1997)

Other nominees: Isaac Pepin (Concordia), Luigi Zagaria (Carleton), Cameron Brown (Saint Mary's).

Frank Tindall Trophy (Fox 40 Coach of the Year) – Michael Faulds, Laurier

Michael Faulds of Laurier became just the second repeat winner of the Frank Tindall Trophy, following Greg Marshall of Western in 2018 and 2019. The 42 year-old from Eden Mills, Ont. led the Golden Hawks to their second straight 8-0 undefeated regular season in 2025 and, in the process, reached 61 career regular season coaching wins and 71 overall in his 11th season and 12th year at Laurier – passing Jeffries for second all-time in Laurier football coaching history in regular season and career wins, and only trails David "Tuffy" Knight, who recorded 85 and 99, respectively.  

This season, the Golden Hawks had the best point differential in the OUA at +197, were first in total offense (4,022), yards per game (509.4), passing touchdowns (28), and red zone offense, while second in total points scored (355), and allowed the second-fewest points (158) and points per game (19.8).

This is Faulds' third Tindall Trophy overall, as he previously won in 2016. He joins Marshall as the only three-time winners of the award.

Other nominees: Glen Constantin (Laval), Scott Flory (Saskatchewan), Steve Sumarah (Saint Mary's).

The 2025 Vanier Cup is on Saturday at 1 p.m. Central time (2 p.m. Eastern) on CBC TV and TVA Sports. Live streaming of the contest between the Montréal Carabins and the Saskatcheawn Huskies is also available on CBC's digital platforms (CBC Gem, CBCsports.ca and the CBC Sports app) and on TVA Sports. Tickets for the game are still available at www.usportstickets.ca.

2025 U SPORTS FOOTBALL AWARDS & ALL-CANADIANS

Hec Crighton Award (Player of the Year): Ethan Jordan, Laurier
J.P. Metras Trophy (Lineman of the Year): Erik Andersen, Western
Presidents' Trophy (Standup Defensive Player of the Year): Seth Hundeby, Saskatchewan
Peter Gorman Trophy (Rookie of the Year): José Alejandro "Pepe" Gonzalez Garza, Montréal
Russ Jackson Award (Student-Athlete Community Service): Chevy Thomas, Alberta
Frank Tindall Trophy (Fox40 Coach of the Year): Michael Faulds, Laurier

First Team All-Canadians

Offence

Defence

Special Teams

Second Team All-Canadians

Offence

Defence

Special Teams