Offtackle
Football news for every down
CFL Combine Opens March 27 in Edmonton; Saskatchewan D-Lineman and National-Designated Tackle Drawing Multi-Team Interest
Ottawa and Calgary send the largest delegations. Veilleux attends. All nine franchises confirmed. The evaluation clock starts in Edmonton.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Preparations are underway for the 2026 CFL Combine presented by Anytime Fitness Canada, set for March 27-29 in Edmonton, with registration closed and the full list of invited prospects confirmed by the league.
The University of Ottawa and University of Calgary head program representation, each sending delegations of six or more prospects for evaluation. The Combine will test prospects across seven metrics: 40-yard dash, broad jump, vertical jump, three-cone drill, bench press, position-specific drills, and formal team interviews — producing the first professional-context evaluation data for players who have competed exclusively in the U Sports system.
Two prospects are drawing particular attention from multiple organizations ahead of the event. A defensive lineman from the Saskatchewan Huskies informally tested at speed and explosiveness numbers consistent with a first-round level of production at the position, and his formal evaluation in Edmonton will either confirm or complicate that projection. A Canadian-born offensive tackle who spent three seasons in the NCAA before returning to U Sports is eligible under National designation rules — a factor that carries roster construction value beyond his football ability, as teams can deploy the import slot that would otherwise be consumed by an American tackle at another position.
Christian Veilleux will attend the Combine, giving teams a second formal evaluation opportunity on the quarterback who generated interest from several organizations at last fall's pre-season showcase. Quarterback depth in the CFL system has been a persistent topic of front office discussion across the league, and any prospect who shows starting potential in the formal evaluation window will draw immediate attention.
The CFL Draft follows the Combine in the second week of April. All nine franchises have confirmed representation in Edmonton.
Sources: "2026 CFL Combine invited prospects," CFL.ca | "CFL Draft 2026 preview," CFL.ca | "CFL Combine evaluation metrics," 3DownNation
Offtackle Staff Writers