GUELPH, Ont. – The 2022 OUA football season has officially arrived, and the Guelph Gryphons are set to kick off their first game of an eight-game regular season schedule on Saturday (August 27) when the Gryphons travel down the 401 to London to face the defending Vanier Cup champion, Western Mustangs.
After playing a shortened six-game regular season schedule in 2021, in which the Gryphons finished 3rd in the OUA West Division with a 3-3 record, the 2022 season will see all 11 OUA football schools return to a traditional eight-game format.
The conference also returns to the conventional, one-division format (as opposed to the two-division, OUA East and OUA West format which was adopted in 2021). For the 2022 OUA football season, the top seven teams in the conference standings at the end of the regular season will qualify for the playoffs, with the first-place team receiving an opening round bye, while the remaining six teams square off in OUA quarterfinal action. The Gryphons have been a consistent presence in the OUA football playoff picture in recent years, having advanced to the OUA semifinal stage each of the past four seasons, including a Yates Cup appearance as recently as 2018.
For Gryphons head coach
Ryan Sheahan, now in his fourth season in charge of the University of Guelph football program, the 2022 campaign will mark the Gryphons third season of on-field action under Sheahan's leadership (with the 2020 season cancelled due to the pandemic). In each of his previous two seasons of on-field action as head coach of the Gryphons (2019 & 2021), Sheahan twice led the Gryphons to the OUA semifinal stage, including playoff wins over Carleton (2019) and Laurier (2021).
"We have a younger group, a spirited group," says
Ryan Sheahan, who has led the Gryphons to a 9-5 regular season record through his first two seasons as head coach (2019 & 2021). "We will have to work hard as a team as we try to replace some of the outstanding veteran players who have moved on from last season. We feel that we have the right veteran leadership in place and believe that there is a lot of promise for our group as a whole, but we will have to take it one week at a time."
The one week at a time approach will see the Gryphons focus their efforts on the toughest test in U SPORTS football right out of the gates, as the reigning Vanier Cup champion Western Mustangs await the Gryphons. During the 2021 season, the Gryphons were the lone team in the country to knock off the Mustangs, with
Guelph taking down the No. 1-ranked Mustangs 23-21 in a thriller at Alumni Stadium on September 25, 2021.
For a second straight season, the Gryphons will look to begin their regular season with a statement against their rivals from London.
"Anytime you get to line up against a quality opponent and the defending national champions, you don't need any help getting up for games like that," adds Sheahan. "Those are the games you remember long after you're done playing. Western is a well-coached team, with good players and good systems in place. We might be a younger team this season, but we are excited to test ourselves on Saturday afternoon. We will have to be sharp." The Mustangs return Vanier Cup MVP, Evan Hillock, at quarterback, with the Hamilton native entering his second-year after a sensational rookie season in 2021. The Gryphons will also have to contend with a dangerous Mustangs rushing attack, led by third-year running back Keon Edwards (Toronto, ON) and second-year running back Edouard Wanadi (Saint-Jérôme, QC). Western also returns key starters on both the offensive and defensive lines, as well as in the secondary. See below for a full breakdown of the Gryphons 2022 football roster.
Gryphon Quarterbacks
The
Gryphons enter the 2022 season with plenty of healthy competition at the quarterback position, led by a pair of standout, out-of-province recruits from western Canada.
Shawn Lal, a 22-year-old Abbotsford, BC native, returns for his second season as a Gryphon after having impressed as a rookie a year ago. Lal, a sociology major at the University of Guelph,
was under centre for the Gryphons last September when the Gryphons defeated the No. 1-ranked Mustangs, with Lal going 14-28, 185 yards and a touchdown pass in what was his first career OUA start. During Lal's rookie season as a Gryphon in 2021, the 6-foot-6 quarterback threw for 1,101 yards in 5 regular season games. His 220 passing yards per game in 2021 ranked him 4th among the OUA's passing leaders (behind only Waterloo's Tre Ford, 244, Western's Evan Hillock, 231.5, and McMaster's Andreas Dueck, 230.5). Lal also finished his rookie season with an impressive 8 touchdown passes to just 4 interceptions. The 2022 season will mark Lal's second season of on-field action with the Gryphons, with the Abbotsford, BC native majoring in sociology at the University of Guelph.
Also in the running for the Gryphons starting quarterback duties in 2022 is UBC transfer,
Tommy Yanchuk, who enters his first season as a Gryphon. Yanchuk, a 23-year-old native of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, has spent the previous three seasons with the UBC Thunderbirds.
As a rookie in 2019 at UBC, Yanchuk earned the starting spot at QB right out of the gates for the Blake Nill's T-Birds. Yanchuk showed flashes of brilliance in his first career start against Regina back in Week 1 of the 2019 campaign, recording a 20-yard touchdown run, while also throwing for 248 yards and a touchdown in a UBC loss to the Rams. Now,
Tommy Yanchuk arrives at the University of Guelph, with the arts major ready to showcase his talents within the OUA football landscape.
The western Canada theme continues at the quarterback position for the Gryphons, with
Riley Naujoks (Winnipeg, MB) also in the mix. Naujoks impressed during his time in the Canadian Junior Football League, where he threw for over 300 yards per game with the Winnipeg Rifles during the 2019 season. Montreal native,
Ettore Casati III, returns for his second season as a Gryphon after getting into 3 games in 2021, including an appearance in Guelph's 48-0 win over the Toronto Varsity Blues where he recorded his first career touchdown pass. Ayr, Ontario native
Michael Warner returns for his second season at U of G, while incoming rookie
Troy Hawkins (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) rounds out the QB room for the Gryphons in 2022.
Gryphon Running Backs
Offensive coordinator, Mark Surya, will have plenty of depth at the running back position when it comes to competition for carries in 2022 for the Gryphons.
Proven veterans
Juwan Jeffrey (Brampton, ON) and
Kwame Osei (Montreal, QC) return for their fifth years with the program (fourth years of eligibility). Human kinetics major
Craig Sherrington has impressed in training camp and the Burlington, ON native projects to take on a more prominent role as he enters his third-year with the program. A trio of speedy rookie running backs could also factor into the Gryphons ground game in 2022, with
Isaiah Smith (Burlington, ON),
Donavin Milloy (Hamilton, ON) and
Miltiadis Koulelis (Victoria, BC) all impressing during their first training camps at the OUA level.
Gryphon Receivers
The explosive and dynamic,
Clark Barnes, headlines the Gryphon receiving group in 2022, with the Brampton native returning for his fourth season with the Gryphon football program, and third season of on-field action. A year ago, Barnes led the OUA in touchdown receptions with 5 (tied alongside McMaster receiver, Liam Putt).
This year,
Clark Barnes will be the focus of opposing defences, with his dynamic receiving partner from a year ago (
Kiondre Smith) having moved on to the CFL ranks with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Barnes, an arts major who will turn 22-years-old on September 3, is entering his CFL Draft year, and has already earned recognition at both the provincial and national levels as a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian kick returner during his rookie season in 2019, as well as an OUA Second Team All-Star at receiver in 2021. Complimenting Barnes in the receiving corps in 2022 is
Vyshonne Janusas, an explosive second-year receiver out of W.F. Herman Academy in Windsor. Janusas, a 21-year-old criminal justice major, is a physical presence at receiver (6'1", 210 lbs) who has already shown his big play potential (including a 35-yard reception in his first OUA start versus Western last September).
Ryan Ogilvie, a Stoney Creek, Ontario native out of St. Thomas Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School, provides plenty of speed in the Gryphon receiving corp, while the electric
Cameron St. Kitts-Park (Oshawa, ON) is primed to contribute as he enters his second year with the program. Incoming rookie receiver,
Laurent Paquin, arrives at U of G from Terrebonne, Quebec. Paquin, a big target at 6'3" 217 lbs, impressed in the CEGEP ranks with Collège Montmorency in Laval. Local product,
Jakob Tomas (Guelph, ON – St. James Catholic High School) is also primed to take on a key role in the Gryphon receiving corps, with Tomas now entering his third season with the Gryphon football program.
Gryphon Offensive Line
The Gryphon offensive line has been a bright spot during 2022 training camp. Overseeing the Gryphon offensive line unit in 2022 is one of the most accomplished coaches in U SPORTS football history in Pat Sheahan, who enters his first season as a member of the Gryphon coaching staff in 2022, taking over for former Gryphon offensive line head coach Mike MacDonald, who was named the recipient of the U SPORTS Gino Fracas Award a year ago.
Pat Sheahan served as head coach at Queen's from 2000-2018, leading the Gaels to a Vanier Cup title in 2009. Pat then helped lead the Calgary Dinos to the 2019 Vanier Cup, when he served as the team's offensive coordinator. Under Pat Sheahan's guidance, the Gryphon o-line boasts plenty of experience.
Ben Petrie (Waterloo, ON) returns for his final season as a Gryphon after recovering from a knee injury suffered in CFL camp in the summer of 2021 with the Ottawa REDBLACKS. The 2022 offensive line is bookended by a pair of experienced tackles in
Spencer Masterson (OUA Second Team All-Star in 2021) and
Matthew Famurewa (6'1", 278 lbs). Nick Taddio, a second-year computer science major from Montreal, anchors the Gryphons up front at centre, while
Ethan Pyle returns at guard for his third season with the program and second season of eligibility.
Gryphon Defensive Line
The strength of the Gryphon defensive line is in the interior in 2022, with 6'2" 287 lbs defensive tackle
Josh Campbell (Montreal, QC) back for his fourth season with the team (third year of eligibility).
Alongside Campbell in the middle is
Curtis Woodmansey, the younger brother of former Gryphon Coulter Woodmansey (a former All-Canadian offensive lineman with the Gryphons who is now with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL). The Gryphon d-line unit also adds some youth in 2022, with Calgary native
Cameron Michaud arriving at U of G as a 6'6", 253 lbs rookie out of Ernest Manning High School.
Gryphon Linebackers
Defensive coordinator Dennis McPhee has done an outstanding job leading the U of G defence since taking over coordinating duties back in 2019. Coach McPhee, who has helped the Gryphons produce one of the top defences in the OUA each of the past two seasons, will now look to establish some new standouts at linebacker following the departure of not one, but two outstanding Gryphon linebackers to the CFL.
A.J. Allen departs after a sensational 2021 senior season that saw him named the OUA's President's Trophy winner as the top, stand-up defensive player in the conference.
Gone too is
Jared Beeksma, the team's second-leading tackler in 2021 behind Allen, with Beeksma recording 36.5 tackles in 6 games to go along with a 1 sack and 1 interception. With both Allen (Saskatchewan Roughriders) and Beeksma (Hamilton Tiger-Cats) now in the CFL, Gryphon fans will be introduced to the newest leaders in the Gryphon linebacking corps. Cole Watson (Ardrossan, Alberta),
Brandon Ferigo (Guelph, ON – Guelph C.V.I.) and
Scott Murray (Mississauga, ON) could all take big steps forward in the middle of the U of G defence in 2022, while incoming transfer student,
Franck Kemayou (Toronto, ON) could also make an immediate impact. The 6'2", 223 lbs Kemayou arrives at U of G from Acadia University. During the 2021 season with the Axemen, Kemayou finished 3rd on the team in tackles (29.5 tackles in 6 games played) while also recording 2 tackles for loss and 1 forced fumble. Kemayou is pursuing his Masters at the University of Guelph (in capacity development and extension).
Gryphon Secondary
The Gryphons boast two of the top defensive backs in the country in
Devynn Cromwell and
Harrison Bagayogo, who return for the second and third years, respectively. In 2021, Bagayogo was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian at cornerback, while Cromwell (Toronto, ON) was named a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian at halfback.
Sam Lack, a rookie out of Nelson High School in Burlington, keeps the Lack family name in the Gryphon secondary, following the graduation of his older brother,
Ben Lack, who successfully roamed the back end of the Gryphon secondary that past few seasons.
Miles La Foucade, a Brampton native now in his third year with the program, has impressed in training camp, while newcomer
Gianni Green, a 6'2" 184 lbs defensive back out of Lorne Park Secondary School in Mississauga, could contribute to the Gryphons right away at either halfback or safety.
Kicking / Special Teams
The Gryphons should once again boast one of the strongest special teams units in country, with special teams coordinator Donnavan Carter returning to lead the way. Under Donnavan Carter's leadership, the Gryphons special teams units have produced multiple U SPORTS All-Canadians, one of which is kicker
Eric Stranz, who returns for his fifth-year with the program (and fourth year of elibility).
Stranz, a native of Ayr, Ontario and graduate of Southwood Secondary School in Cambridge, enjoyed a sensational 2021 season with the Gryphons, earning U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian status after connecting on an OUA-best 17 field goals during the season, the second-highest total in U SPORTS, next only to Michael Arpin's 20 made field goals for the Montreal Carabins.
While the Gryphon kicking game is in good shape with the return of Stranz, the U of G return game once again has the potential to be one of the most dangerous in the country.
Clark Barnes burst onto the scene back in 2019, beginning his rookie season in unforgettable fashion with three consecutive games in which he recorded a kickoff return for a touchdown. Barnes would go on to earn U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian status as a returner in 2019, and returns in 2022 for his third-year with the program. The Gryphons will look to compliment Barnes in the kick return game and will have the luxury of choosing from a wide range of athletic options within the Gryphon receiving, running back and defensive back units.
Another critical piece to the Gryphon special teams in 2022 is long snapper,
Simon Chaves. Chaves, a local product out of Guelph C.V.I., is a two-sport athlete at U of G, as he also competes with the Gryphons men's wresting program. Chaves has developed into one of the top long snappers in U SPORTS football and has attracted some attention at the CFL level, with the criminal justice major invited to the CFL's 2022 regional combine in Waterloo back in March. The Gryphons 2022 special teams unit could also receive a spark in the punt return unit with second-year defensive back,
Anakin Guthrie, who stole the headlines during the Gryphons preseason game versus York on August 20 when the Guelph native recorded not one, but two, punt returns for touchdowns against the Lions.
All eight of the Gryphons 2022 regular season games can be seen live online at OUA.tv. Tickets for each of the Gryphons four home games are now available for purchase online at gryphons.ca/tickets, with the team's 2022 home opener set for Labour Day Monday (September 5) when they host the Windsor Lancers. The 2022 Homecoming football game for the Gryphons will take place on Saturday, September 24 when the Queen's Gaels visit Alumni Stadium.
