Guelph, ON – With the Canadian Football League set to kickoff their 2018 regular season on Thursday (June 14), we thought we would take a moment to highlight the former Gryphon football players who currently make a living in the CFL. Whether on the roster, the sidelines, or in the front office, listed below are 15 individuals who have successfully carried their Gryphon Pride into the CFL ranks.
Former Gryphons Currently Playing in the CFL (12):
Rob Maver (Calgary Stampeders)
Royce Metchie (Calgary Stampeders)
Jake Reinhart (Toronto Argonauts)
Cam Walker (Toronto Argonauts)
Jeff Finley (Toronto Argonauts)
Alex Charette (Toronto Argonauts)
Ryan Bomben (Montreal Alouettes)
Curtis Newton (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Nick Parisotto (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
John Rush (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Johnny Augustine (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Andrew Pickett (Ottawa REDBLACKS)
Former Gryphons Currently Working in the CFL (3):
Kyle Walters (General Manager - Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Mike O'Shea (Head Coach - Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Jarryd Baines (Assistant Wide Receivers Coach - Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
#6 ROB MAVER (P) – CALGARY STAMPEDERS
CFL photo courtesy Calgary Stampeders
AS A GRYPHON (2006 to 2009)
To this day, Rob Maver remains the Gryphons all-time leading scorer after having accounted for 290 total points during his outstanding 4-year career at U of G. Maver was named an OUA All-Star in each of his four seasons with the Gryphons, and was named a CIS All-Canadian in 2008 as both a punter and place kicker. In 2009 he was nearly perfect, connecting on 13 of his 14 field goal attempts (92.9%) while also leading the OUA with a 41.3 yard punting average. Following his university career, he was the only kicker in the country invited to the CFL's 2010 evaluation camp.
IN THE CFL (2010 to present)
Rob Maver was drafted 5th overall by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2010 CFL Draft. In his first season, he claimed the CFL scoring title with 185 points which remains a Stampeders record for points by a rookie. Maver was named a CFL West Division All-Star Punter three straight seasons (2012, 2013 & 2014) and was a Grey Cup champion in 2014. On August 28, 2016, Maver played in his 100th CFL game. During the 2016 season, Maver posted a career-best punting average of 46.9 yards and kicked seven punts that had opposing offences starting from inside their own 10-yard line. In 2017, he was once again a staple for Calgary's special teams, appearing in 18 regular season games while averaging 43.7 yards per punt.
#64 RYAN BOMBEN (OL) – MONTREAL ALOUETTES
CFL photo courtesy Les Alouettes de Montréal, Dominick Gravel
AS A GRYPHON (2006 to 2009)
At the University of Guelph, not only was Ryan Bomben one of the most talented players on the roster, he was also one of the hardest working. By his senior season with the Gryphons, Bomben had developed into a First Team OUA All-Star and was a big reason why CIS All-Canadian running back Nick FitzGibbon and OUA All-Star quarterback Justin Dunk were able to flourish.
IN THE CFL (2010 to present)
Ryan Bomben was drafted in the 4th round of the 2010 CFL Draft by the Montreal Alouettes. Bomben is a player who is extremely athletic for his size (6-foot-4, 295 pounds). This athleticism was on display in 2012 when the big man
hauled in a touchdown pass from Anthony Calvillo in a game against the Edmonton Eskimos.
After spending the last three seasons in Hamilton, Bomben was
traded back to Montreal in May of 2018. The former Gryphons has played in 120 games in the CFL, including 80 as a starter. He also has played in six career playoff games. The Burlington, ON native has been named an East Division all-star for the past three seasons, (2015, 2016, 2017) and has been named the 2016 and 2017
Tiger-Cats most outstanding lineman.
#49 JEFF FINLEY (DL) – TORONTO ARGONAUTS
CFL photo courtesy Johan Jutras, Toronto Argonauts
AS A GRYPHON (2010 to 2013)
Jeff Finley's rookie season with the Gryphons was cut short after suffering a dislocated elbow versus Concordia in a preseason game. After recovering from that injury, Finley would go on to become one of the most dominant players in the CIS at his position. Despite the fact that he was originally recruited to Guelph as a defensive end, Jeff was soon converted to defensive tackle. At approximately 250 pounds, he was considered to be somewhat undersized for the nose guard position, but proved week-in-week-out to be the most disruptive player on the field. Finley was also a highly respected player off the field and was named a team captain in his senior season of 2013.
IN THE CFL (2014 to present)
In February of 2017, Finley signed with the Toronto Argonauts. The 6-3, 260-pound native of St. Catharines, Ontario, played three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, who selected him in the third round (22
nd overall) of the 2014 CFL Draft. In 20 regular season games in three seasons with the Als, he recorded seven defensive tackles and three special teams tackles. In 2017, Finley played in 11 games with the Argos, starting five at defensive tackle in his first season with the Double Blue. He tallied 14 defensive tackles, one tackle for a loss, four sacks, one quarterback pressure, and one pass knockdown. His best game as an Argonaut came in Week 7 against Calgary when he recorded five defensive tackles and two sacks. Finley was one of three Gryphons to dress for the Argos in their 2017 Grey Cup championship.
#58 JAKE REINHART (LS) – TORONTO ARGONAUTS
CFL photo courtesy Johan Jutras, Toronto Argonauts
AS A GRYPHON (2008 to 2012)
Jake Reinhart played linebacker and long snapper for the Gryphons for five years. In 2010, he was named the recipient of the Gryphon Special Teams Award and in 2011 was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year. Aside from succeeding on the field, Reinhart also excelled in the classroom as he was named a CIS Academic All-Canadian in 2012.
IN THE CFL (2014 to present)
Jake Reinhart was signed by the Toronto Argonauts as a free agent on April 15, 2014. During the 2014 CFL season, Reinhart played in all 18 games as the team's long snapper. He has also become known for his trick-shot long-snapping abilities. From
atop Alumni Stadium, to accepting
the 'Crossbar Challenge' from the Canadian Women's Soccer team, there's not much this long snapping professional can't do!
In December of 2016, the Argos announced they had signed Reinhart to an extension through the 2018 season.
Reinhart, a 6-0, 200-pound native of Guelph, Ontario has played in all 72 regular season games in his four seasons with the Double Blue while handling long-snapping duties.
#75 CAM WALKER (DE) – TORONTO ARGONAUTS
CFL photo courtesy Karyn Stepien
AS A GRYPHON (2011 to 2014)
Cam Walker was the Gryphons Defensive Player of the Year in each of his final two seasons at Guelph. During his four year career at U of G, the London native was named an OUA All-Star on three occasions and showcased tremendous versatility by excelling on special teams, at linebacker and most recently at defensive end. In 2014, Walker recorded 37.5 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles.
IN THE CFL (2015 to present)
Cam Walker was drafted in the 3rd round (21st overall) by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2015 CFL Draft. In 2016, Walker played in nine regular season games in his second season with the Double Blue, registering six special teams tackles before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Walker, 25, spent the last three seasons in Toronto, playing primarily on special teams, and dressed in the Eastern Final vs. Saskatchewan and in the Grey Cup victory against Calgary. Over his three seasons in Toronto, Walker played in 35 games and recorded 15 special teams tackles.
#25 JOHNNY AUGUSTINE (RB) – WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
CFL photo courtesy David Lipnowski
AS A GRYPHON (2013 to 2017)
Johnny Augustine enjoyed five standout years with the Gryphons, finishing his University career ranked 2nd on the Gryphons all-time rushing list (2,742). Augustine's senior season with the Gryphs saw him earn Team Offensive MVP Honours after carrying the ball 122 times while rushing for 690 yards and 9 touchdowns. In his third season (2015), Johnny tied a single-season school record by accounting for 14 touchdowns (12 rushing, 2 receiving) while helping lead the Gryphons to their 4th Yates Cup title in school history (and first since 1996).
IN THE CFL (Rookie)
After a brief stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Augustine signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers just prior to 2018 training camp. The Welland, ON native impressed in the preseason to crack the Bombers' roster, with his best performance coming in a June 1 matchup with Edmonton where he recorded his first professional touchdown on an 18-yard scamper. Augustine was the game's leading rusher with 81 yards on 8 carries.
#44 CURTIS NEWTON (LB) – HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
CFL photo courtesy Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club
AS A GRYPHON (2012 to 2015)
Curtis Newton helped anchor the Gryphon defence during his outstanding four-year playing career at U of G (2012-15). Alongside John Rush, Newton helped form one of the most potent linebacking corps in the country and during his four years, registered 139 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, seven quarterback sacks, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and six pass breakups with the Gryphons. In 2014, Newton was named a CIS Second Team All-Canadian and in his senior year in 2015 was named an OUA Second Team All-Star while helping guide the Gryphons to a Yates Cup championship.
IN THE CFL (2016 to present)
Newton was selected by the Argos in the fifth round (40th overall) of the 2016 CFL Draft. Curtis made his CFL debut on June 30, 2016 versus Saskatchewan and appeared in 16 games with the Argos during his rookie year, recording 5 special teams tackles. After splitting the 2017 season between the Argos and Ticats, Newton has returned to Hamilton for the 2018 season, cracking the Ticats roster after a strong showing in the preseason.
#11 ALEX CHARETTE (REC) – TORONTO ARGONAUTS
CFL photo courtesy Karyn Stepien
AS A GRYPHON (2011 to 2014)
In his four years as a Gryphon, Alex Charette developed into one of the most dynamic, play-making receivers in the entire CIS. By his third season at U of G, Charette was named the team's co-MVP and was able to carry that success into his senior season. In 2014, Charette led the Gryphons in receptions (62), receiving yards (742) and receiving touchdowns (7) en route to being named an OUA All-Star. Highlighting an impressive senior season with the Gryphons was Charette's performance against the then-No. 4 Western Mustangs in which he hauled in 13 receptions for 188 yards and a touchdown in a thrilling 49-46 victory.
IN THE CFL (2015 to present)
Charette was selected by the Montreal Alouettes in the fourth round (36th overall) of the 2015 CFL Draft. After earning a spot on special teams with the Alouettes during his rookie year, the former Guelph Gryphons star receiver increasingly saw more action on the offensive side of the ball. In the last game of the 2015 season, against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at McGill's Stadium in Montreal, Charette caught a career-high five passes. On June 7, 2018, Charette returned to his alma mater as the Argos hosted a preseason game versus Ottawa at the University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium. Charette would celebrate the homecoming by hauling in a 63-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter for his first professional major.
#32 JOHN RUSH (FB) – WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
CFL photo courtesy Johany Jutras
AS A GRYPHON (2011 to 2015)
John Rush put together an incredible five year playing career at the University of Guelph. During his senior season in 2015, Rush led the Gryphons to a Yates Cup title where he was named the recipient of the Dalt White Award as Yates Cup MVP. During John's outstanding 2015 season, he was named a First Team All-Star at both the OUA and CIS level. At the Vanier Cup banquet in Quebec City, Rush was named the recipient of the CIS President's Trophy as the top stand-up defensive player in the country. He became the first Gryphon football player to ever receive the national honour. He was also named the University of Guelph's Male Athlete of the Year.
IN THE CFL (2017-present)
After starring at linebacker for five years with the Gryphons, John Rush was signed by the Bombers and attended the team's 2016 training camp before being released prior to the 2016 season. Rush, who spent the 2016 football season playing junior football with the Hamilton Hurricanes, returned to the Bombers for the 2017 season, dressing in all 18 games while chipping in with six tackles on special teams. Rush is currently listed on Winnipeg's practice roster heading into the 2018 CFL regular season.
#16 ROYCE METCHIE (DB) – CALGARY STAMPEDERS
CFL photo courtesy Calgary Stampeders
AS A GRYPHON (2014 to 2017)
Royce Metchie was a dynamic player for the Gryphons during his four-year career, making his impact felt at various positions on defence while also contributing on special teams. At 5'11", 215 lbs, the Brampton native possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism, and recorded 108 tackles during his Gryphon career, to go along with one sack and two interceptions. During the 2017 season, Metchie ranked second on the Gryphons with 50 tackles.
IN THE CFL (rookie)
Metchie was selected in the 3rd round (25th overall) by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2018 CFL Draft. Metchie, who was born in Nigeria but grew up in Brampton, was recently named to the Stampeders' practice roster ahead of the 2018 CFL regular season. Prior to being drafted in the Spring of 2018, Metchie impressed at the 2017 East-West Bowl in Quebec City where he took reps at outside linebacker in a dominant performance by Team West where they kept Team East out of the endzone in a 37-13 victory.
#57 ANDREW PICKETT (OL) – OTTAWA REDBLACKS
CFL photo courtesy Karyn Stepien
AS A GRYPHON (2014 to 2017)
Andrew Pickett was a three-time OUA All-Star during his four-year career as a Gryphon and in his senior season in 2017, earned U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadian honours. The Kitchener native anchored a Gryphon offensive line that helped the Gryphons finish 4th in the OUA in rushing (1,524 yds).
IN THE CFL (rookie)
The 6'4", 300 lbs Kitchener native was the first Gryphon to be selected in the 2018 CFL Draft, going to the Ottawa REDBLACKS in the 3rd round (22nd overall). Pickett was ranked No. 12 on the latest edition of the CFL Scouting Bureau List. He heads to a REDBLACKS team full of impressive Canadian-born talent up front, including fellow rookie Mark Korte (University of Alberta) who was also selected by Ottawa in the 1st round (4th overall) in the 2018 Draft.
#36 NICK PARISOTTO (DB) – HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
CFL photo courtesy Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club
AS A GRYPHON (2014 to 2017)
During his four-year career with the Gryphons, defensive back Nick Parisotto was one of the team's most reliable performers, starring at the halfback position throughout his U of G career. Parisotto, a Guelph native who attended high school at Our Lady of Lourdes, was named a Second Team All-Canadian in 2015 and a First Team OUA All-Star in 2017. In what would be his final game as a Gryphon (2017 OUA Semi-final versus Western), Parisotto returned a fumble 102-yards for a touchdown to put an exclamation point on an outstanding four-year career.
IN THE CFL (rookie)
Parisotto was selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 8th round (66th overall) in the 2018 CFL Draft. The 5'10", 200 lbs defensive back earned a spot on the Ticats roster after an impressive preseason, which was capped off by a 30-15 win over Montreal on June 9 where Parisotto recorded a tackle and a fumble recovery.
KYLE WALTERS – GENERAL MANAGER, WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
CFL photo courtesy Winnipeg Blue Bombers
AS A GRYPHON (1992 to 1996)
During his playing career as a Gryphon, Kyle Walters won two Yates Cup titles (in '92 & '96), was a two-time OUAA All-Star as well as a CIAU All-Canadian. After his playing days, Walters would return to U of G as a coach, serving as Defensive Coordinator in 2004-2005 and Head Coach from 2006-2009.
IN THE CFL
Kyle Walters was drafted 10th overall by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 1996 CFL Draft. Playing safety and halfback, he helped the Ticats capture the Grey Cup in 1999. His 78 special teams tackles rank fourth all-time in Ticats history and he was named a team captain in each of his final three seasons in Hamilton. Following his CFL playing days, Walters held numerous titles before landing his current job as G.M. of the Blue Bombers in November of 2013.
2003 – Assistant Special Teams Coach (Hamilton)
2010-2012 – Special Teams Coordinator & Running Backs Coach (Winnipeg)
2013 – Assistant G.M. & Director of Canadian Scouting (Winnipeg)
Nov. 26, 2013 – General Manager (Winnipeg)
In 2016, Walters took the Bombers to the playoffs for the first time in five years. Ahead of the 2018 season, Walters extended the contracts of receiver Weston Dressler, CFL All-Star tackle Stanley Bryant and the team's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2016 and 2017, kicker Justin Medlock. Walters also signed three-time CFL All-Star receiver Adarius Bowman to a one-year contract. He is constantly active in his pursuit of Canadian free agents, courting and signing one of the league's top defensive linemen in 2015, Jamaal Westerman. He also oversees the CFL Draft process for the organization, which has produced two starting offensive lineman in the past two seasons – guard Sukh Chungh and centre Matthias Goossen, as well as CFL All-Star safety Taylor Loffler. The 2018 season will mark Kyle's 8th year with the Bombers organization.
MIKE O'SHEA – HEAD COACH, WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
CFL photo courtesy Winnipeg Blue Bombers
AS A GRYPHON (1989 to 1992)
Mike O'Shea was a star linebacker for the Gryphons from 1989-1992. To this day, he remains the Gryphons all-time sacks leader (19) and sits 4th in school history in total career tackles (310). In his senior season, he was named a CIAU All-Canadian and the OUAA's Defensive Player of the Year while leading his team to a Yates Cup title. That same year, Mike was also named the University of Guelph's Male Athlete of the Year and represented U of G in the East-West Shrine Game in California. He was inducted into the Gryphon Hall of Fame on September 21st, 2007.
IN THE CFL
Mike O'Shea was drafted in the 1st round of the 1993 CFL draft by the Edmonton Eskimos and was immediately traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The North Bay, Ontario native played 16 seasons in the CFL, spending 12 seasons with the Toronto Argonauts and four with the Ticats. In 2006, he became the first Canadian-born player ever, and just the third player overall in CFL history, to record 1,000 career tackles. He retired as a three-time Grey Cup champion (1996, 1997, 2004) and in total, appeared in 271 regular season CFL games – the most ever by a defensive player. He is second on the CFL's all-time tackles list (1,151) and was a five-time East Division All-Star. In 1999 he was named the league's Most Outstanding Canadian.
After his playing days in the CFL, O'Shea moved into the coaching ranks. After spending four seasons as the Special Teams Coordinator for the Argos, Mike took over as the Head Coach of the Blue Bombers on December 4th, 2013. In 2016, O'Shea led the Bombers to an 11-7 record, the club's best record in over a decade. The 11-win season included the league's best road record at 7-2, while also rattling off seven straight wins after starting the season 1-4. In 2017, he led the club to its best record in over a decade (2003), finishing with a mark of 12-6. The 12-win season led to the first ever playoff game at Investors Group Field and first home playoff game for the club since 2011.
JARRYD BAINES – ASSISTANT WIDE RECEIVERS COACH & OFFENSIVE QUALITY CONTROL, HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
AS A GRYPHON (2008 to 2012)
Jarryd Baines started in four of his five years at the University of Guelph and was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year in 2012. During his career, the Ottawa native racked up 129 tackles and 4.5 sacks. During his time at U of G, the Gryphons were known for having a "ball-hawking" defence, and nobody better embodied that than Jarryd Baines. His seven forced fumbles and four interceptions were an example of his knack for getting to the ball carrier and creating turnovers.
IN THE CFL
Jarryd Baines was named Assistant Wide Receivers Coach and Offensive Quality Control of the Tiger-Cats on March 1, 2018. He originally joined the organization on April 7, 2016, and was appointed to the position of Offensive Quality Control.
Prior to joining the Tiger-Cats, Baines spent two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, serving as a Defensive Quality Control Coach in 2015 after working as the team's football operations intern in 2014.
As a football operations and officiating Intern for the CFL in 2013, he coordinated the first league-wide player participation records and consulted with Football Canada to construct their Safe Contact video series. The Ottawa, Ontario native began his off-field football career with the CanadaFootballChat.com website as registrar for their Burlington Coaches Clinic in 2013.
