Five X-Men invited to CFL combines

Four STFX X-Men football student-athletes have been invited to attend the CFL Invitational Combine presented by New Era taking place on March 3 in Waterloo, Ont., including Dyton Blackett, Zakariya Karim, Ethan Mastin and Chris Verheyen. Teammate Alex Fedchun has been invited to the national CFL Combine presented by New Era in Edmonton from March 22 to 26. 

Alex Fedchun is a 6'5", 245-pound defensive lineman from Calgary, Alta. who wrapped up his fourth year of eligibility with the X-Men this season. The 2022 AUS lineman of the year and three-time AUS all-star (2022, 2021, 20219) led the team in tackling this season with 38.0, including 31 solo tackles and averaged 4.8 tackles/game. He was tops in the conference and second in the country in sacks with nine, and was a competitor in the 2022 U SPORTS East-West Bowl for draft-eligible athletes.

Dyton Blackett is a 6'4", 227-pound linebacker from Canning, NS who consumed four years of eligibility with the blue and white. An AUS all-star this past season, he was eighth overall in the conference in tackling with 32.5 on the season, including 27 solo tackles, and averaged 4.1 tackles/game.

Zakariya Karim is a 5'11", 181-pound receiver from Ottawa who competed in his third season of eligibility with the AUS champion X-Men this past fall. A 2022 AUS all-star, he was fourth in the conference in receiving, averaging 47.4 yards/game and had 24 receptions for 379 total yards with three touchdowns.

Ethan Mastin is a 6'0", 185-pound defensive back from Chilliwack, BC. Enrolled in his first year of the Education program, he consumed four years of eligibility and returned to the X-Men line-up this season after missing half of last year due to injury. Ethan had eight total tackles on the season. He was an invitee to the 2021 U SPORTS East-West Bowl.

Chris Verheyen is a 6'3", 287-pound offensive lineman from Frankford, ON who wrapped up his fourth year of eligibility with the X-Men, starting in seven games this season at centre. A key member of the blue and white O-line, Chris was an AUS all-star in 2021.

Verheyen, Mastin, Karim and Blackett will attend the CFL Invitational Combine in Waterloo, which replaces the traditional regional combines. The top draft-eligible players identified in the Invitational Combine will earn their way to the main event in Edmonton.

In addition to the attendees who advance through the Invitational Combine, the CFL Combine will feature the top prospects eligible for the 2023 CFL Draft, including STFX's Alex Fedchun.

To read the complete CFL press release including complete rosters and Combine information, CLICK HERE.