Liam Talbot of the Windsor Lancers made a statement at the CFL”s invitational combine, overcoming an initial snub to secure his place among the elite. The running back, who stands five-foot-11 and weighs 210 pounds, was initially left off the invite list but earned a spot on January 1. He turned that disappointment into motivation, ultimately qualifying for the CFL”s national combine scheduled for March 27-29 in Edmonton.
“I”ve had that chip on my shoulder the last three months,” Talbot remarked. “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 showcased his abilities by achieving the fastest 40-yard dash time at the combine, clocking in at a personal-best 4.51 seconds. He also impressed scouts by performing 24 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press, achieving a 34-inch vertical leap, a nine-foot six-inch broad jump, a 7.12-second three-cone drill, and a 4.29-second shuttle run.
“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.”
During his four-year tenure at Windsor, Talbot amassed 461 rushing yards on 64 carries, averaging 7.2 yards per carry, while scoring three touchdowns in 23 games. He also recorded 16 receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown, along with 27 kickoff returns totaling 570 yards and 61 punts for 582 yards, including one touchdown.
Talbot will travel to Alberta alongside his teammates, Tyriq Quayson and Ethan John. Quayson, a receiver, excelled at the combine, achieving the highest vertical jump at 35.5 inches, securing second place in the broad jump with a distance of 10 feet four inches, and tying for third in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.54 seconds.
“We”re going there, going to do it again and compete,” Quayson stated about their upcoming journey 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, demonstrated his strength by tying for second in the shuttle run with a time of 4.15 seconds, while also completing 23 reps on the bench press and clocking 4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash. “I wanted 25 on the bench and my 40 wasn”t where I wanted,” he admitted. “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 defense for whatever CFL team takes a chance.”
The six-foot-two, 197-pound Quayson had 20 receptions for 269 yards in eight games last season. The computer science major also added four carries for 77 yards, five kickoff returns for 93 yards, and a 20-yard punt return. Meanwhile, John registered 130 tackles, including 107 solo tackles, eight for loss, along with two sacks and an interception during his three seasons at Windsor.
Other players who received invitations to the national combine include Calgary receiver Matt Sibley, offensive linemen Victor Olaniran from Manitoba and Chris Pashula from Calgary, defensive back Gianni Green from Guelph, and defensive lineman Steve Kpehe from Queen”s. A total of 83 players were invited to the combine, held at the University of Waterloo”s Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House.
Madhi Hazime, a defensive lineman from New Mexico Highlands, topped the combine with an impressive 38 bench press repetitions. Other standout performers included UBC receiver Gavin Owen with a broad jump of 10 feet 7 5/8 inches, Texas receiver Hamilton McMartin with a time of 6.9 seconds in the three-cone drill, and Laval running back Angel Vital who recorded a 4.13-second shuttle.
While the path to the CFL may be challenging, past combine participants have successfully made the leap. Last year, UBC defensive back Ronan Horrall not only participated in the national combine but was drafted in the sixth round, 48th overall, by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Horrall, standing six-foot-one and weighing 202 pounds, went on to play in seven regular-season games with Hamilton last season, including the East final.
On the day of the combine, participants engaged in various tests, including positional drills and one-on-one matchups. The event commenced with early registration, followed by measurements of height, weight, hand size, arm length, and wingspan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on March 6, 2026.
