The Université de Montréal Carabins will arrive virtually as a team at the CFL national evaluation camp which will take place from March 20 to 23 in Regina.
The Carabins will count on no less than eight players who will try to impress the managers and recruiters of the nine CFL teams. The players selected are quarterback Jonathan Sénécal, defensive wingers Jeremiah Ojo who is the RSEQ’s outstanding lineman and Gabriel Maisonneuve; linebackers Nicky Farinaccio and Harold Miessan, star tackle Alexandre Levac, wide receiver Hassane Dosso who has not played a single game in 2024 due to injury and fullback Nathan Girouard-Langlois.
On the side of the Rouge et Or of Laval University, three players caught the attention. They are quarterback Arnaud Desjardins, receiver Isaac Gaillardetz and hybrid linebacker Francis Bouchard.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
The McGill Martlets should count on a representative, offensive lineman Domenico Piazza who was elected to the second all-star team in the country.
Statut national
Because he is scheduled to graduate in May, Dosso is considered a national player even though he is of French origin as per the new CFL rule for foreigners completing their studies in Canada.
Tackle Christopher Montas Fontenard will also be able to benefit from the rule, but only in 2026 since he will not finish his studies in the spring. However, he could enter the international player draft this year or delay his draft year for a year and obtain national player status.
Levac is very happy to live this experience as a group. “It’s going to be a lot less stressful to be so numerous,” said the star blocker. We expected there to be several selections. There are many players who could not be ignored.
Dream of little guy
Absent during the East-West Challenge last May due to an injury, Levac will get his first opportunity to perform in front of CFL recruiters. “Since I was very young, I have dreamed of playing in the CFL and I would like to make a living from my sport,” he said. My greatest dream would be to retire after 14 or 15 seasons in the CFL like Kristian Matte (Alouettes) did recently.
The multi-disciplinary baccalaureate student who has just completed his studies is, however, aware that he will have to change position to realize his dream. “It’s going to happen at the guard or center position,” he explained. At 6’3″, I’m not the prototype of a blocker in the pro ranks where guys are 6’5″ or 6’66”. I played as a guard in my first season with the Carabins and I also have experience as a center. I’m going to prepare to play indoors at camp in Regina. When I started, my position coach (Mathieu Pronovost) warned me that I had to learn the center position if I wanted to reach the next level.
Injured an ankle during the last match of the season at Concordia, Levac assures that he is back at 100 percent. “I wanted to come back as quickly as possible and I wasn’t at my best at the Dunsmore Cup, but everything is fine now. I am back with my family at L’Assomption and I am focusing on my preparation. If it doesn’t work in the CFL, I don’t see myself returning for a 5th year. It’s time to give way to young people.”
Invitational camp in Waterloo
The Carabins will also have three representatives at the invitational camp (former regional camp) on February 28 in Waterloo. They are tackle Ayman Cisse, guard Alex Lévesque-Gallant and linebacker Gabriel Lessard.
On the Laval side, defensive back Anton Haie will also be present. Center Anthony Hort and cornerback Justin Dion, from the Université de Sherbrooke Vert & Or, were also invited. Hort was selected to the first all-Canadian team.
There is no specific camp for kickers this year.
