Windsor Lancers players Talbot, Quayson, John advance to CFL’s national combine

Liam Talbot earned a little payback at the CFL’s invitational combine.

The Windsor Lancers running back was left off the combine’s initial invitation list before being added Jan. 1. The five-foot-11, 210-pound Talbot used the snub as motivation Friday in Waterloo, Ont., earning one of eight berths to the CFL’s national combine March 27-29 in Edmonton.

“I’ve had that chip on my shoulder the last three months,” Talbot said. “I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder but that definitely added fuel to the fire.

“I just wanted to show I do belong and I am a hell of an athlete.”

Talbot, of London, Ont., posted the combine’s top 40-yard dash time (personal-best 4.51 seconds) before representatives of all nine CFL teams. He also registered 24 reps in the 225-pound bench press, a 34-inch vertical jump, nine-foot six-inch broad jump, 7.12-second three cone and 4.29-second shuttle.

“I really wanted 25 on the bench, that was my goal,” he said. “The broad jump wasn’t my best, but the vertical and 40 were amazing.

“(In Edmonton), I want to show at the highest level that I am still the same, that I can still compete. Same mindset, just prove myself once again.”

Over four seasons at Windsor, Talbot ran for 461 yards on 64 carries (7.2-yard average) with three TDs in 23 games. The human kinetics and sports management student also recorded 16 catches for 152 yards and a TD, 27 kickoff returns for 570 yards and 61 punts for 582 yards and a touchdown.

Talbot will make the trip to Alberta with Lancers teammates Tyriq Quayson and Ethan John. Quayson, a receiver, had the top vertical jump (35.5 inches), was second in the broad jump (10 feet four inches) and was tied for third in the 40 (4.54 seconds).

“We’re going there, going to do it again and compete,” Quayson said of the Windsor contingent heading to Edmonton. “That’s what we know and we’ll see what happens.

“I think I put my best foot forward today and I’m grateful for the opportunity God gave me. But I know there’s more in the tank so I know I’m going to do that.”

John, a defensive back, was tied for second in the shuttle (4.15 seconds) while posting 23 reps in the bench and 4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

“I wanted 25 on the bench and my 40 wasn’t where I wanted,” John said. “I’d like pretty much all of it better (in Edmonton) but I’ve got a couple of weeks now.

“I just wanted to show that at my size I know I’m strong and fast. I can contribute on specials and defence for whatever CFL teams takes a chance.”

The six-foot-two, 197-pound Quayson, of Vaughan, Ont., had 20 catches for 269 yards in eight games last season. The computer science student also ran four times for 77 yards, had five kickoff returns for 93 yards and a 20-yard punt return.

The American-born John registered 130 tackles (107 solo, eight for loss) with two sacks and an interception over three seasons (24 games) at Windsor.

Also securing national combine invites were Calgary receiver Matt Sibley, offensive linemen Victor Olaniran (Manitoba) and Chris Pashula (Calgary), defensive back Gianni Green (Guelph) and defensive lineman Steve Kpehe (Queen’s). Eighty-three players were invited to the combine, which was held at University of Waterloo’s Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House.

Madhi Hazime, a defensive lineman from New Mexico Highlands, recorded a combine-best 38 reps in the bench press. The other top performers included U.B.C. receiver Gavin Owen (broad jump of 10 feet 7 5/8 inches), Texas receiver Hamilton McMartin (6.9 seconds, three cone) and Laval running back Angel Vital (4.13-second shuttle).

It’s certainly a path less travelled but there are invitational combine participants who do make it to the CFL. Last year, U.B.C. defensive back Ronan Horrall not only was selected to the national combine but ended up being drafted in the sixth round, No. 48 overall, by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The six-foot-one, 202-pound Horrall, of Ottawa, played in seven regular-season games with Hamilton last season as well as the East final.

On Friday, participants not only took part in testing but also donned pads for positional work and one-on-one drills.

The day began with invitees registering early Friday morning, followed by height, weight, hand, arm and wingspan measurements.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2026.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press